Ribex 2010

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:12

Rather than drive to Southampton and take the Red Jet to Cowes, this year I thought I'd give Tim M's RIBEX Shuttle Service a try. It worked very well, saved me time, and at £22.50 including show entry wasn't a bad price either.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:14

At first glance the show looked a bit thin, especially ashore, but there were a surprising number of RIBs that I hadn't seen before - some from new companies, but mostly new imports from existing manufacturers in Europe.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:16

Ribquest has a couple of very smartly turned out boats. Bear Grylls' latest runabout, and a good looking 650 for those without a celebrity budget!

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:18

Humber were there, continuing their recent theme of RIBs that still aren't what most people expect from Humber. Better finished than their traditional RIBs, and obviously much more leisure orientated.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:22

Wahoo RIBs had their new Barracuda RX in show. With its Lorne Campbell designed hull and twin 350hp Verados its performance should match its looks (these photos don't really do it justice). The combination of four bucket seats and a wrap round "sofa" is unusual, but I think it will work well for this type of boat.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:28

Redbay were there with the mighty Stormforce 11 cabin RIB, which incredibly has enough headroom for me to stand up quite comfortably! I had a quick run out in the open 1050 courtesy of Mark at Suzuki and was suitably impressed, although the conditions weren't exactly challenging. The Scott seats seem to be doing well, atlhough the Redbay has an early production version which has a bit more lateral movement than it should - looking forward to trying the latest version at Seawork shortly.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:33

Coastline had several RIBs on show and are sponsoring tonight's musical extravaganza at RIBfest featuring Seth Lakeman. On a more down to earth note, Ribshop have started building their own RIBs with this deliberately basic but well finished 5 metre.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:39

The seven meter Tornado was the first of their Chinese built boats that I have seen and it looked good. It's likely that we'll be seeing a lot more boats coming our way from China, which should be interesting. Piranha RIBs are also built there to the UK company's spec and it does mean that their pricing is very competitive.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:41

Watermarque have revived the Hysucat with it's unusual but impressive handling, and were showing the 6.5 an 8 metre versions.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:43

Capelli and Zodiac both had cuddy cabin RIBs on show. The Zodiac look much less unusual on the water than it did on the stand at the London Boat Show in January!

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 08:47

A final round up of some of the other European boats: SEA RIBs are a well established Portuguese manufacturer, and their range looks like they could be serious contenders for the UK - still with a distinctly European look, but a bit more Atlantic than Mediterranean! Salona and Stingher had the more typical big med style, and the joker in the pack is the drop-bow catamaran from Asso Prestige.

Zippy · 08 May 2010, 12:40

thanks for the pictures john,

sitting the other side of the water listening to the rain im thinking im not going to get over this year!

good to see so many different boats there, i know in the past there has been suggestion it is targeted more torwards bigger ribs. good to see ribshop having a go at the budget range!

Did that coastline have two different engines on??

anything from scorpion and revenger there? i hear revenger have the 32 outboard there which looks good in the pictures on their website...

neilda · 08 May 2010, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Humber were there, continuing their recent theme of RIBs that still aren't what most people expect from Humber. Better finished than their traditional RIBs, and obviously much more leisure orientated.

I really liked the look of their 10m Sports Pro.

John Kennett · 08 May 2010, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

Did that coastline have two different engines on??

anything from scorpion and revenger there? i hear revenger have the 32 outboard there which looks good in the pictures on their website...

That Coastline has twin Suzuki 250s. As far as I know the engines are the same, although the cowlings aren't identical.

I didn't get a very good picture of the Revenger, but here it is anyway!

Tim M · 08 May 2010, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

I really liked the look of their 10m Sports Pro.

Pretty good value too

neilda · 10 May 2010, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Pretty good value too

Particularly the show version at £70k.

V Tempting!

I've just lost a ton of cash on a property transaction, so I should either forget the idea or console myself with a new toy.

Downhilldai · 10 May 2010, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

I've just lost a ton of cash on a property transaction...

£100 isn't a lot to lose in today's property market.

neilda · 10 May 2010, 19:28

If only. It had commas in and everything.

Ian M · 10 May 2010, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

If only. It had commas in and everything.

commas

In your case an arm and an arm

Consolation time I think