Honda Over The Top Expedition will leave at end of Sydney Boat Show 2011

The Honda-powered rigid inflatable boat (RIB) two brothers will call home for 10 weeks as they go ‘over the top’ to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer is ready for action.

After extensive sea trialling off the West Australian coast, the custom 8.6m Gemini Pro RIB has been refined to a point where both men are confident they will succeed in their Australian-first attempt to travel more than 9500km around Australia’s coastline in a ‘rubber ducky’.

Honda Over The Top Expedition leader Peter Jenkins said he was looking forward to the event launch in just under two weeks’ time.

“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,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Although the boat proved itself to handle rough conditions with ease, maintaining a speed of 23kt 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!

“All onboard systems are working perfectly and the boat is propped to deliver maximum performance and efficiency.

“With the twin Honda BF225 engines linked in to the Furuno electronics we’re able to accurately monitor our fuel consumption, which is less than two litres per nautical mile at speeds in excess of 23kt… very impressive.”

Leaving from the Sydney International Boat Show on 1 August and finishing nearly two months later in Perth, the Honda Over The Top Expedition has a number of planned stopovers at locations along the east coast and right across the top.

The Expedition aims 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