History

“The B-28 ran perfect from day one. The aerodynamic also worked perfect. The boat is apr 18 % faster than a normal monohull of the same characteristics. This design is brilliant in all conditions and very easy and forgiving to drive.”

Ocke Mannerfelt

The V280 Type R is based upon the design of the B28 by Ocke Mannerfelt. The B28 won the Popular Mechanics Design and Engineering Award in 1995, and backed that up with the 4-Litre UIM World Championship in offshore racing in 1996. Similar B-designs from Ocke Mannerfelt have won twelve overall Worlds in offshore racing. First displayed in the United States at the Miami Boat Show in 1994, it was one of the original designs to utilize a stepped hull.

The B28 became the new icon for efficiency and performance, and was actually banned for five years in APBA offshore racing because it was too fast and gave the rest of the fleet no competition. This ban was due to an over 5-minute lead on its competitors in each race, seeing speeds as high as the American World Speed record for A-class boats. The B28 design is protected by a United States patent, and Vector Powerboats is the sole licensee of this design.