Avon Inflatables, the UK RIB and inflatable boat manufacturer, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year making the 2009 London International Boat Show its 50th birthday event.

From real life drama to Hollywood fantasy Avon boats have made their mark. In 1972, Avon achieved the record for the longest liferaft survival at sea when, for an incredible 117 days, Maurice and Marilyn Bailey battled the elements of the Pacific Ocean in an Avon Ocean liferaft after their yacht was hit by a 40ft sperm whale en route to New Zealand.

Most recently in the dramatic boat chase scenes in the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, an Avon Adventure 6.20 was put through its paces by the villains.

Based in Dafen near Llanelli in South Wales, Avon has produced over 250,000
inflatable and rigid inflatable boats since it was founded in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire in 1959.

Its earliest dinghy models included the Redcrest and Redstart evolving through a range of inflatables and RIBs to its more recent Seasport Deluxe and Jet RIB range aimed at the luxury yacht tender market.

The company introduced the first recreational RIB tender the RIB 310 in 1982, whilst
and launched the world’s first 346 Jet RIB in 1996.

Visit Avon Inflatables on stand S27A to see all the latest
craft.