Dean Stoneman has registered a Bernico 52R HYBRID rigid inflatable boat for the 2026 UKOPRA Championship, entering the Class 1 category with the name of Revenge.
The World’s Fastest RIB
The Bernico 52R HYBRID achieved a pre-delivery top speed of 104.2 knots, breaking the previous RIB world record of 101.6 knots. Belgian builder Nico Bertels created the boat over four years in collaboration with Swedish professional skier Jon Olsson, who commissioned the vessel.
Twin 1550-horsepower Mercury Racing engines deliver a combined 3100 horsepower. The boat also features a hybrid electric system capable of cruising for up to two hours at speeds below eight knots in silent electric mode.
All-carbon fibre construction reduces weight whilst maintaining structural integrity for high-speed offshore racing. Additional equipment includes a gyro stabiliser, racing seats mounted on Öhlins racing shocks, and twin quick-release carbon racing steering wheels.
Racing Pedigree
The boat was originally commissioned as a luxury day cruiser rather than a racing platform. The four-year build focused on combining supercar-level finishing quality with world record performance and hybrid electric capability.
Jolly Drive surface drives provide propulsion efficiency at high speeds. The Quick MC2 X7 gyro stabiliser maintains stability in offshore conditions. The military-inspired black, white and grey exterior finish conceals the full carbon construction beneath.
The cockpit layout prioritises performance with dual quick-release carbon racing steering wheels allowing rapid position changes. Remote control systems manage both the electric engines and all boat systems from either helm position.
Technical Specifications
Bernico International, based in Belgium, has won multiple world championships in powerboat racing classes, founder Nico Bertels built his first boat aged 11 and established the company in 1991.
The 52R HYBRID measures 52 feet in length with accommodation including a cabin fitted with a double berth, carbon sink, toilet and coffee maker. The racing-oriented cockpit features four full forged carbon racing seats and a custom-tuned surround sound system.
The boat’s hybrid electric propulsion system operates independently of the Mercury Racing engines, allowing emissions-free operation in noise-restricted areas whilst maintaining the capability for record-breaking performance when required.
The original build carried an asking price of €3,000,000. The combination of full carbon construction, hybrid electric capability and world record performance positioned the 52R HYBRID among the most expensive rigid inflatable boats produced.
From Fountain to Bernico
Stoneman finished third in both the 2024 and 2025 UKOPRA Class 1 championships racing a Fountain hull. The switch to the Bernico 52R HYBRID represents a slightly different approach for the 2026 season!
Stoneman’s Background
Stoneman won the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship and tested with the Williams F1 team at Abu Dhabi. His motor racing career included campaigns in GP3, Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Indy Lights and GT racing before winning the 2020 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe championship.
A testicular cancer diagnosis in January 2011 forced him to abandon plans to race in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series alongside Daniel Ricciardo. He spent 2012 competing in powerboat racing whilst recovering, winning the P1 SuperStock UK championship.
Stoneman co-founded Falcon Tenders with Mark Pascoe, operating from a 2,300 square metre composites manufacturing facility in Southampton. The company produces luxury yacht tenders combining British craftsmanship with powerboat racing engineering. Falcon Tenders celebrated its fifth anniversary with five custom deliveries in 2025.
UKOPRA Class 1 Competition
The United Kingdom Offshore Powerboat Racing Association has governed British offshore racing since 2018. The organisation sanctions multiple classes competing along the South Coast of England and has fielded some of the largest Class 1 fleets in the world.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
