QINETIQ School's Powerboat Competition: A Day of Innovation and Racing
In late November, five talented Fourth Year pupils—Emily, Ainhoa, Kirsty, Lucy, and Yvaine—joined Mr Bowen and Mrs Morton for an exciting day at the Ocean Basin, Haslar Marine Technology Park in Gosport. This world-class facility, one of the largest marine testing environments in the world, set the stage for the culmination of months of hard work: racing their remote-controlled powerboat, Tubby Custard, which they had been designing and building since Easter.
The event wasn’t just about speed. The pupils faced tough questions from visiting dignitaries representing the marine, defence, and technology sectors. They were challenged to explain the thinking behind their designs and suggest improvements—a true test of their creativity and engineering insight.
Mr Bowen proudly shared:
“
The girls spoke confidently about their boat and won the award for Best Presentation at the end of the day. Well done girls!
”
Explaining the engineering behind Tubby Custard to industry experts.
From Setbacks to Success
Tubby Custard’s journey on race day was far from smooth sailing. After a slow start and a breakdown caused by a collision with the eventual winner in race two, the team showed resilience and determination. They bounced back with impressive wins in races three and four, securing a spot in the final. In a nail-biting finish, expert driving by Lucy saw them edge past Eggar’s School to claim second place overall—a fantastic achievement!
A Perfect Ending
The day concluded with a quick stop at Stokes Bay, where the team had the chance to sea-test their boat in the Solent—a fitting finale to an unforgettable experience.
Congratulations to Emily, Ainhoa, Kirsty, Lucy, and Yvaine for their hard work, creativity, and teamwork. And of course, a big thank you to Mr Bowen and Mrs Morton for guiding them through this incredible journey.
In late November, five talented Fourth Year pupils—Emily, Ainhoa, Kirsty, Lucy, and Yvaine—joined Mr Bowen and Mrs Morton for an exciting day at the Ocean Basin, Haslar Marine Technology Park in Gosport. This world-class facility, one of the largest marine testing environments in the world, set the stage for the culmination of months of hard work: racing their remote-controlled powerboat, Tubby Custard, which they had been designing and building since Easter.
The event wasn’t just about speed. The pupils faced tough questions from visiting dignitaries representing the marine, defence, and technology sectors. They were challenged to explain the thinking behind their designs and suggest improvements—a true test of their creativity and engineering insight.
Mr Bowen proudly shared:
“ The girls spoke confidently about their boat and won the award for Best Presentation at the end of the day. Well done girls! ”
From Setbacks to Success
Tubby Custard’s journey on race day was far from smooth sailing. After a slow start and a breakdown caused by a collision with the eventual winner in race two, the team showed resilience and determination. They bounced back with impressive wins in races three and four, securing a spot in the final. In a nail-biting finish, expert driving by Lucy saw them edge past Eggar’s School to claim second place overall—a fantastic achievement!
A Perfect Ending
The day concluded with a quick stop at Stokes Bay, where the team had the chance to sea-test their boat in the Solent—a fitting finale to an unforgettable experience.
Congratulations to Emily, Ainhoa, Kirsty, Lucy, and Yvaine for their hard work, creativity, and teamwork. And of course, a big thank you to Mr Bowen and Mrs Morton for guiding them through this incredible journey.