The 31st edition of the ‘World’s Toughest Inflatable Boat Challenge’ the Official Transalgulhas took place from 28 December 2018 to 1 January 2019 over a five day period starting in Plettenberg Bay and finishing in Gordonsbaai, Western Cape.

Team Arrow Yamaha #M2 Marc Gleed (pilot) and Wiltas Leeuwner (co-pilot), sponsored by FUCHS Lubricants, competed and achieved 2nd place in the National Championships in the modified class and 2nd in the 2018/2019 Trans Agulhas modified class.

A huge effort was put into the race by the entire Arrow Yamaha M2 team with no less than 2000km of hard training covered prior to the event. The inflatable boat running on a Yamaha 50hp race engine performed faultlessly using FUCHS Lubricants engine oil.

Day 1: Plettenberg Bay to Mossel Bay with nine check-point beach stops (198 km). Team Arrow Yamaha finished in overall 2nd position.

Day 2: Mossel Bay to Stilbaai with two check point beach stops at Vleesbaai and Gourits (86km). This was the shortest leg of the event and the team worked well to gain another 2nd position overall at the finish.

Day 3: Stilbaai to Struisbaai with two check-point beach stops at Witsands and Arniston (170km). On this leg of the race, Marc and Wiltas finished in 4th position overall.

Day 4: Struisbaai to Uilenkraalsmond with check-point beach stops at Die Damme and Pearly Beach (90 km). The team had some issues as a piece of kelp cut off the water supply to the engine. The team had to run for approximately two minutes at full throttle with no cooling water supply to the engine before they could stop to clear the water intakes. It was amazing that the engine suffered no damage and this pays testimony to the outstanding capabilities of FUCHS Lubricants that the team uses, finishing 4th position overall at Uilenkraalsmond.  

Day 5: Gansbaai to Gordons Bay with check-point beach stops at Hawston and Pringle Bay (136 km). This was the final leg of the event. The team finished in 3rd position overall at the end of the race in Gordons Bay and finished in 2nd overall in the Modified class for the 2018/2019 Trans Agulhas.

“It was once again a privilege for our team to be in the position to represent Fuchs Lubricants and we did so with pride. During the 2018/2019 race season the team achieved a podium position in all three classes during the Trans Agulhas, namely Stock #1, Pro Stock #1 and Modified #2. We are looking forward to another successful racing season with our sights firmly set on clinching the overall National Title for 2019,” said Marc Gleed, team pilot.