Usually when you read the term "power on" here at Sailing Anarchy, it has a certain meaning in regards to sail trim. But there is another, completely different one and it involves putting the hammer down in a different way: The throttle of a 250 hp rigid inflatable boat!

Face it, as much as we love sailboats, and might have equal disdain for most powerboats, RIB's are very cool. They've always appealed to performance sailors because they are fast, utilitarian, and don't have the gross excess (and gross looks) of most power boats. RIBs are like the Nissan Xterra commercial, "Everything you need, nothing you don't".

Having said that, there is little reason to be stuck on an RIB that doesn't take advantage of the latest in design and modern accoutrements.

We'd like to introduce you to a New Zealand company, Aquapro International, that produces a new line of RIB's, Raider, and our newest advertiser, Raider Boats!

Offering a full line of RIB's, from 19' to 46', these New Zealand-built craft appear to be about the best in RIBs. I got a good look at one and was super impressed. For more information call toll free at 877-7RAIDER or go to their site www.raiderboat.com.

Any of you that are in the market for this type of boat, give these guys a look. After all, if they're down with SA, you gotta be down with them!

07/22/2002