Southampton Boat Show 2014

[John Kennett]

In a pleasant change from last year I was at the show yesterday in brilliant sunshine, and it was busy! I normally try to avoid the weekend crowds, but other commitments conspired against me this year, but it was good to see so many people there. There was definitely more of a buzz about the place too with everyone I spoke to sounding really positive.

It's definitely a good show for RIBs this year, with the overall quality being higher than I can ever remember. There were fewer identikit imports, and a lot of really smart looking well finished boats instead. Here's some of what I saw, in no particular order, but starting this year with the MacRIB of course. Not much to add her really, as I think it's all been said, but whisper, crew2 and lakelandterrier were taking every opportunity to tell the story at the show

[John Kennett]

Next up is Ribeye. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea, but I was very impressed with the finish on all their boats and the darker tubes that they've been using for the last couple of years really do look smart. They've definitely upped their game a lot over the last few years.

The new console, on it's debut outing, looks like a good bit of kit. Well thought out to provide maximum space around the sides (handy when you're putting 7 proper seats in a 5.5m boat!), with good helm ergonomics (offset wheel, built-out throttle) and plenty of foot and leg space. Some nice extra touches include a lockable glove box with built-in USB charging socket, cutouts for speaker mounting, and an external battery switch to avoid having to grovel around inside the console to turn it on and off. The GRP also comes with an optional shimmering "sprinkled with fairy dust" effect which looked rather fetching as it glistened in the sun.

[John Kennett]

As well as a massive stand, they also had a load of boats on the pontoons and were busy all day doing demos.

[John Kennett]

Ribquest had a strong on-water presence with some more of their immaculately turned out boats, clearly showing that they can cut it in the high end leisure market...

[John Kennett]

...as well as the "very serious indeed" end of the market! That Shockwave ICE console is an amazing bit of kit, and this boat had the 4-seat version plus another two Shockwave seats behind.

[John Kennett]

Ribcraft supplied the Show Patrol boats as always, and had a few other purposeful looking boats on the water plus their regular stand ashore. It's a pity that their latest creation was busy working, because it would have been a real headturner at the show:

London RIB Voyages - Our Boat - Fastest speedboat on the Thames

[John Kennett]

Highfield had their aluminium hull RIBs taking over a big chunk of the main Honda display in Solent Park, plus a couple of boats on the pontoons.

[John Kennett]

Piranha had a mix of their leusire boats, and commercial boats from their manufacturing partner TechnoRIB.

This year they were actually giving boats away - provided you had £100k plus to spend on a Legend yacht first. There's always a catch!

[John Kennett]

Humber had a couple of contrasting RIBs on the Suzuki berths. A very shiny white Sports Pro 800, and the new Ocean Pro 750 that was delivered to Dorset Police last month.

[John Kennett]

MacRIB sponsors Boatylicious were showing off a couple of smart looking Lomacs on the water and a very sleek Technohull on land.

[John Kennett]

Redbay were represented my MRL who also had a couple of their big Stingher RIBs on show

[John Kennett]

Rib-X were showcasing some more of their characteristically styled superyacht tenders, and Cobra had a stand on the main run down to the marine too, but I got distracted by Nick Gilley of Swipes trying to sell me some of his can holders and I didn't actually look at the boats, sorry!

[John Kennett]

Zodiac were there, but didn't seem to be taking it very seriously. Maybe the French just don't see Southampton as important? They had quite a few boats on show, but they looked as it they had just been dropped off in a car park. Which they had, I suppose! They did have an Aerotec there though

[John Kennett]

On my way out of the show I noticed a RIB lurking in the LNC Outdoor Equipment marquee in the Arena just by the entrance. It was an Atlanta, a new name to me, apparently made in the UK. They don't seem to have a web site - has anyone else heard of them?

[John Kennett]

Foldable RIBs and Nestaway boats were both exhibiting the Russian made Winboat folding RIBs. Similar to the old Tinker foldaway RIB that Henshaws used to make, but these range all the way up to 4.6 meters.

[John Kennett]

If you're going to the show this week, have a look the superspout. It's a very clever non spill attachment for a regular 5l fuel can or jerrycan and makes pouring fuel much more controlled. It has no moving parts, but auto shuts off like a petrol pump to avoid spills. I thought it was quite cool

[John Kennett]

And finally, if the excessive prices and long queues at the burger bars are too much to take, then head down to the Rentokill stand where they've got bugs you can snack on. Salt and vinegar crickets anyone? Or Mexican spice mealworms perhaps?

[kerny]

I'm well impressed with the futuristic console on the Ribeye it brings ribs into the 21st century which is well over due in my opinion

[whisper]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Rib-X were showcasing some more of their characteristically styled superyacht tenders, and Cobra had a stand on the main run down to the marine too, but I got distracted by Nick Gilley of Swipes trying to sell me some of his can holders and I didn't actually look at the boats, sorry!

Nick Gilley is awesome, he's given us a black bottle/can holder for the RIB 4 Macmillan

Remember I said about the problems with our water bottles ending up in the transom going round Britain, well I wish I had one of these for that trip. They really seem to work too

I don't really go for gadgets but this beats drilling a cup holder in your console any day, cheap too

[whisper]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

MacRIB sponsors Boatylicious were showing off a couple of smart looking Lomacs on the water and a very sleek Technohull on land.

Thanks for the mention JK They really like the forum and are well impressed with the Macrib project

They have known about us from when we did the Round Isle of Wight 4 Macmillan in 2013 In fact, loads of people know about what we have been up to here at the show