Introducing Thriller, Cayman’s newest thrill
Bob Vanhorn, operating systems manager for Thriller
Super Cat, drives Cayman’s Thriller. Behind
Mr Vanhorn are: (L-r) Collin and Olive Pearson, who
own the local Thriller company, and Thriller’s
General Manager, André Theron.
The Thriller team shows off the 55 foot craft’s
impressive speed as it flies across the water at
around 50 miles per hour, creating the promised thrill
Introducing ‘Thriller’
Olive Pearson, Bob Vanhorn, André Theron, and Collin
Pearson aboard Cayman’s latest tourist attraction a
55 foot racing catamaran that is living up to its name.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Thriller is a racing powerboat, a 55-foot catamaran, which has been
modified to take 40 passengers. The Cayman Islands’ latest attraction is aimed
at cruise passengers and it began with an idea by Cayman Brackers, Collin and
Olive Pearson. From the initial idea, the project has taken seven months to
get afloat.
“We felt that the Island needs more variety, to offer visitors here,” said
Mr Pearson, “but it is for local people to experience too.”
Twin turbo diesel Yanmar engines, together generating around 1000
horsepower, propel the boat through the water and enable the Thriller to reach
speeds of 50 miles per hour.
Despite the Thriller’s speed, and the dramatic fountain of spray and foam
that can be seen flowing from the engines, the vessel is extremely stable, and
does not lurch and jump as a single-hulled powerboat would.
“It is so stable, sometimes we have to look for waves for the thriller to
jump, so that it gives the passengers a thrill,” Mr Pearson confessed.
The duel helm system with two steering wheels means, that when the boat is
in open water, it is safe to let passengers have the thrill of steering the
Thriller.
“It is quite safe,” Mr Pearson said. “The dual controls mean that if we
think there is any problem, our steering wheel overrides theirs, and we will
quietly steer the craft, often without them even realizing what we have done.”
What is amazing about driving the Thriller is that it is so stable, turning
the steering wheel turns the craft without causing it to roll. It is just like
driving a huge car over the sea.
Other Thriller crafts are presently operating around Alaska, Haiti,
Barbados, the Bahamas, and St Martin, Belize and Mexico.
“These vessels are so safe, they have more than 10 boats operating across
the world and there has never been any incident or accident in the 12 years of
operation,” Mr Pearson said.
The Thriller Tour’s boarding is at Beefers Pier next to Atlantis Submarine
on George Town Waterfront. Thriller then goes up to the end of Seven Mile
Beach, while passengers are treated to a commentary highlighting the landmarks
visible from the boat, before coming back. The whole excursion is completed in
less than an hour.
Thriller’s owners have other plans for the boat, however. In the near
future they are hoping to extend the excursion to Rum Point and will aim the
new excursions for local people to use, at the weekends, rather than just
cruise ship passengers, thereby providing an alternative to road travel.
Guests will have the chance to disembark, and spend a couple of hours at
Rum Point before being taken back to George Town.
.Back...
|
