Rick Tomlinson, the renowned yachting photographer who brought the Whitbread -now Volvo- Round The World Yacht Race to the attention of the world is now managing a second Naiad Photo Platform. Rick has found the smooth, stable ride of the RHIB to be invaluable in getting those close-up shots of the world racing yachts in action. As most of these yacht races are more than one day affairs, there are a few necessary creature comforts on board; a powerful heater demister, hot water, galley, fridge, toilet, shower, shore power connection, a double bunk and two quarter berths. A bow thruster is fitted to aid working from the forward well deck so the operator can hold the bow toward to pick out those great shots of spinnakers billowing down to the bottom marks.
Powered by a Volvo 260 hp diesel stern drive, it clips along at a respectable 28 - 30 knots cruise and tops out at 35 knots. The long, slender deep vee hull slices through the ocean chop with ease and there is no noticeable planing hump, so Rick can match the yachts' speed without difficulty. The facility of shore power allows the boat to operate as an office for emailing those hot action photos off to the media. Once the yachting is finished the 10 metre Naiad can be packed down, fitted onto a custom designed cradle and slid into a 40' container for shipping to the next destination.
