Customer experience: Royal Yacht Club Belgium

On the Water with Race and Rescue: A Conversation with Tim Mannaerts

During a recent training day with the Race and Rescue team, we joined them on the water under bright, sunny conditions. Two of their boats were actively used throughout the session, showcasing their operational capabilities in real time.

When we asked Tim Mannaerts if he would be open to sharing his experience with Interactor Boats, he didn’t hesitate for a second. Below is our conversation:

Who are you and what is your role? “I am Tim Mannaerts. I have been a volunteer with

the Race and Rescue team for 20 years. We mainly provide support for sailing races, ranging from small dinghy sailing to offshore competitions and events in the Netherlands, as well as large yacht races on the Scheldt.

I am employed at the Port of Antwerp, where I also operate a patrol vessel.”

Which Interactor models do you use? “Within the Race and Rescue team, we use an Interactor 640. It is specially equipped with a wind meter, and everything is centrally positioned to ensure there is plenty of space all around the boat. There is also additional space at the bow for laying buoys.

Through the Cadet Class, I also operate an Interactor 555, which is mainly used for coaching purposes.”

How would you describe Interactor in three words? “Fast, well-designed, and reliable.

They present themselves as highly professional within a fleet of coach boats.”

Experiences like Tim’s highlight how Interactor Boats perform in real-world conditions. Supporting professionals and volunteers alike, both in operations and coaching environments.