Record attempt for RIB will be hard to Top

'The Gemini RIB has shown it can handle the rough at 20 knots or more'    Sandman PR    Click Here to view large photo A 110-kilometre dash from Sydney to Newcastle NSW will herald the start of a quest by two brothers to travel 9500 kilometres around Australia's coastline in a ‘rubber ducky’. Peter and Phillip Jenkins will leave from Sydney International Boat Show on August 1 in what’s billed as the Honda Over The Top Expedition, aiming to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer.  All going well, they’ll finish two months later in their home town of Perth.  Their boat, an 8.6-metre Gemini Pro RIB powered by twin Honda BF225 outboards, has been custom built for the event.  Skipper Peter Jenkins was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and thus wants the expedition to encourage men to book a check-up.  ‘I have always been active and healthy, so to hear that I had cancer at 61 was shocking,’ he said.  ‘I was lucky, I detected prostate cancer early and was able to receive treatment by the least invasive method, brachytherapy.’  After extensive sea trialling off the West Australian coast, their RIB has been refined to a point where both men are confident of success.  Peter Jenkins aims to raise awareness for cancer research -  Sandman PR   Click Here to view large photo ‘The boat has really been put through its paces in wild seas out to Rottnest Island, calm conditions on the Swan River and everything in between,’ Peter Jenkins said.  ‘Although the boat proved itself to handle rough conditions with ease, maintaining a speed of 23 knots in some very poor weather, we've had a taste of just how exhausting the expedition will be ... it certainly won't be a holiday!’  The twin Honda BF225s are linked to Furuno electronics, which enable them to accurately monitor fuel consumption. So far the average is less than two litres per nautical mile at speeds in excess of 23 knots.  A number of stopovers are planned, with the expedition aiming to raise $200,000 for Cancer Council Australia for research into effective prostate cancer detection and treatment.  Keep an eye out for news of fundraising events in your local area, or donate online at www.overthetop.com.au Click here for printer friendly version  Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story. If you want to send this story to a friend, please use link below http://www.sail-world.com/BoatingAndBoats/Record-attempt-for-RIB-will-be-hard-to-Top/86148  Click for further information on Related News Stories: 30 Mar 2011  Honda Over The Top Expedition to fight prostate cancer 15 Feb 2011  Honda outboard range BLASTs off 07 Dec 2010  Brig inflatables join New World Honda Marine 19 Nov 2010  Runaway Bay Marina hosts boating expo 15 Nov 2010  Low interest rate finance on Honda outboards 13 Oct 2010  Honda’s online advantage 21 Sep 2010  Leisure Marine goes sole Honda 04 Sep 2010  Honda RYA Youth RIB National Championship - Crunch time 28 Jul 2010  Honda Marine's National Dealer of the Year - Melbourne New World Honda 21 Jul 2010  Honda's enduring environmental commitment