Ribex 2011

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:07

As I had managed to miss out on the half price offer on the Redjet, I decided to take another approach and hitched a ride with Andre on the latest Parker demonstrator

It's a Parker 650 with a Cummins QSD 2.0 170HP, and with a well designed console and four wingback Scot Seats it's a fantastic boat. There are a lot of RIBs out there that do a good enough job, but on this particular boat everything has come together really well. It doesn't look particularly revolutionary, but Parker have got all the details right.

It's no race boat, but would be an excellent mid-size cruising RIB. The combination of the deep v hull and suspension seats mean you can keep a good average speed even when the conditions aren't so good. It took the normal nasty Solent chop and ferry wakes at over 30 knots with no problem at all, which is good going in a boat this size. At under a litre a mile you could afford to go some distance in it too!

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:18

The show itself was smaller than previous years, with the marina area looking a bit patchy. A whole section that normally has exhibitors boats is being used as visitors moorings which is great if you're arriving by boat (turn to starboard when you enter the marina, not to port as in previous years).

Beauty and the Beast, plus a couple of nice second hand RIBs for sale.

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:23

Renegade RIBs were there with one of the best looking boats in the show: the Renegade 1020 with a Caudwell 350SCI. They've also got their slightly more modest 720 on display as well.

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:31

For the price of a couple of Renegade 1020s, you could buy the star of this years show: the Technohull from Brugges Marine Centre. With a pair of 350hp outboards this has a claimed top speed of almost 70 knots and looks absolutely stunning.

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:49

On the land there are a selection of race boats, promoting RB12 and the Cowes-Monaco race. They even appear to have let a speedboat slip past security!

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:53

And now a slightly random roundup of some of the other RIBs on show:

Arctic Challenge Humber; Sea RIBs 580; shiny white Redbay 8.4S; Alimal aluminium RIB

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:57

9 metre Solent RIB, complete with bowthruster!; new model Scorpion as unveiled at Southampton last year; Monarch RIB; sporty looking new Skua RIB

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 20:58

a couple of Ribeyes and a Ballistic

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 21:00

the drop-bow W-Prestige 630 Pro; kitchen console on the Piranha 5.8; Piranha micro RIB!

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 21:05

Zodiac N-ZO and a couple of large Stinghers from MRL

John Kennett · 13 May 2011, 21:07

And finally . . .

Geezer nearly reduced to tears at having to pay for his ticket; someone apparently stealing Mike Ring's steering wheel; Paul Lemmer explaining the finer points of something or other to Mike Deacon

batman4ck · 14 May 2011, 08:38

Thanx for the nice pics.
The technohull looks great. Did you have the chance to ride it?

Cypman · 14 May 2011, 08:56

Thanks for the great photos John, I agree with you that the Adam Younger designed Renegade 1020 is the dog's bo...cks. I wonder when the oil burning variant will be available?

John Kennett · 14 May 2011, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman4ck

The technohull looks great. Did you have the chance to ride it?

I wasn't at the show very long and ran out of time. I'd like to have a go another time!

They were doing lots of demos during the day, so plenty of people did get the chance though.

Andre · 14 May 2011, 10:07

It was nice to CYANIDE again, she looks good and the Scotseats just enhance her

marksails · 15 May 2011, 13:35

Thanks for the photos John
Very interesting see this from Italy

Steve_B · 15 May 2011, 18:30

Really sorry to see that visitor numbers have fallen again, I have been too busy to get over.

Dare I say it, but is it time to consider a main land based venue? I have spoken to so many people who have said the journey across, even at reduced rates have put them off. What about Poole, Weymouth, Southampton, Hamble or Portsmouth?

boristhebold · 15 May 2011, 21:19

Salterns in Poole had a small boatshow recently and had more people visiting than ribex I reckon. It was rather good for a small show.

mattfx · 15 May 2011, 21:46

I was hoping to get across - but didnt in the end so thanks for all the photo's. I agree, nice as Cowes is, its a bit of a pain to get to. So, Hugo, if you're reading this, I propose Lymington! I'll even be your local agent - free of charge....

Andy Moore · 15 May 2011, 22:10

I think if they ditched the entrance fee, they'd get a lot more people in, and that would benefit the atmosphere of the entire event.

I'm not paying to get into what is ostensibly a trade show.