First Wave Boats

Nasher · 09 February 2006, 22:54

Hello all.

Took a visit to Rogues Gallery yesterday, sorry, First Wave Boats, Stuart’s(Rouge Wave’s) Unit at Drivers Wharf, Southampton
Just thought I’d post what I thought of the place.
I’ve no connections with the business, just want to give credit where credits due.

The yard is easy to find at one end of Northam Bridge, and once in the compound, First Wave is obvious, just inside the big gates and surrounded by RIBs of all shapes and sizes, plus a Land Rover with a massive winch on the front.
Working in Purchasing you get an instinct for a vendors attitude, and a feeling about a supplier, which both came up trumps.

Stuart, Britt and Jasper deserve a lot of credit judging by the effort put in so far. As some of us are aware the business has been built in some difficult circumstances at times, and the three of them deserve some encouragement to keep moving it forward.

When you roll up, you’re instantly confronted by a view that means business. The many RIBs, bits of RIBs, and general Boaty stuff are housed inside and out of a modern unit guaranteed to draw in anyone curious about boats. The clatter of spanners being wielded helps with the overall impression of industry.

The front part of the unit is dedicated to Storage and maintenance of customers RIBs, many of which are available for Charter and Training, and of course being Stuart, there are several sizes of Searider in there. There’s room inside for storing a number of boats, and a clean dry area ideal for carrying out most maintenance and repair work in comfort, supported by a range of tools headed up by Stu’s pride and joy, a compressor and corresponding labour saving air tools, talk about a dog with two Dicks.

I was lucky to see Bugle Billy in for some routine maintenance, and believe me, if Billy fits in, then anything will. He’s massive. On the trailer he has to be 12’ tall to the top of the Radar dome and 9’ wide. He’s also soon to be available for Charter, so if you want to pretend your in the North Sea, battling essential supplies between rigs with a huge Caterpillar engine and jet drive nozzle the size of most tenders, then Billy is your man,…er…. boat.

Once in far enough you realise the back of the unit is divided up into rooms. An office, the essential kitchen, nice brew thanks, a small store to be used as a chandlery for essential items like 2-stroke oil etc, and another large room being fitted out with all the gear to make it a high tech training room. With a ceiling mounted projector, white boards, comfy seating, and even a lecturn for Stuart to preach gospel from. The training side is to take off shortly, the lecture room being right by the water will certainly reduce any lost time.

Launching is taken care of on site easily, with only a short trip down river to the Solent. The yard also contains a wide variety of craft to drool over if dreaming of upgrading, and a few race boats are stored there too just get the blood stirring.

All in all, thoroughly recommended, contact Rogue wave via this forum and I’m sure he’ll be happy to quote for most things, or just arrange for you to go down and have a look around.

Nasher.

Neal · 10 February 2006, 08:21

Thanks for the report Nasher, good luck to all at First Wave boats.

Jon Brooks · 10 February 2006, 09:16

Sounds great
Would love to poke my head in and have a nose next time I am down but think I might get chased off site!!

But well done to Stuart, Britt and Jasper

Regards

timw · 10 February 2006, 09:51

The web site address doesn't seem to work.

Shame, I would like to have seen some pictures of his lair.

Jono · 10 February 2006, 10:02

I’ve heard that the proprietor is an un-hinged lunatic who has to be kept at sea for long periods to calm him down. Jasper is only employed there to look fierce and frighten off prospective thieves and that they play nothing but Blues music over the stereo…. You’d have to me off your rocker to consider keeping your boat there………..
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and you can't call the toy on the front of his 110 a “big” winch…..

The Garfish · 10 February 2006, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

the proprietor is an un-hinged lunatic

narh hee az gott sum hinjis. hee woz maikin sum cubbord daws todaiy butt de scrooz woz a bitt too lonng. sum fkkers umber az noww gott a nise pare ov reel oke trimm tabbs

gArf

Rogue Wave · 11 February 2006, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Jasper is only employed there to look fierce and frighten off prospective thieves ..
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and you can't call the toy on the front of his 110 a “big” winch…..

Have you met Britt!

Hightower · 11 February 2006, 17:42

Good luck Stu, will have to visit like Nasher did.

Have you a website?

badbaws · 13 February 2006, 18:08

[QUOTE=Jono] I’ve heard that the proprietor is an un-hinged lunatic who has to be kept at sea for long periods to calm him down. Jasper is only employed there to look fierce and frighten off prospective thieves and that they play nothing but Blues music over the stereo…. You’d have to me off your rocker to consider keeping your boat there………..

A quickie to Jono with his impeccable reputation..

How's the south coast powerboat school going? Going, going,
gone.. what couldn't cut it on the tropical south coast.. oh well I hear wales is lovely in winter!!

As to the proprietor of First Wave Boats.. you can not meet a more friendly person to help you with all your boating needs.. If only all people from Wales in the boating industry were this nice.. hey Jono...

Also I think you'll find the famous quote is 'you'd have to be' not have to me.. the standard of Welsh English is incredible!!

Jono · 13 February 2006, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbaws

......

A quickie to Jono with his impeccable reputation..

How's the south coast powerboat school going? Going, going,
gone.. what couldn't cut it on the tropical south coast.. oh well I hear wales is lovely in winter!!

As to the proprietor of First Wave Boats.. you can not meet a more friendly person to help you with all your boating needs.. If only all people from Wales in the boating industry were this nice.. hey Jono...

Also I think you'll find the famous quote is 'you'd have to be' not have to me.. the standard of Welsh English is incredible!!

You gonna tell 'im Stu... or should I?

Shaggy · 13 February 2006, 18:45

Good luck with the venture..

Cheers Shaggy

Rogue Wave · 13 February 2006, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

You gonna tell 'im Stu... or should I?

He's the other Jono. The tall dark handsome one from the Black Country, who I have just flogged a very natty pair of real oak trim tabs too!

As always though Alex thanks for your unstinteing support and friendship!

The Garfish · 13 February 2006, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Would love to poke my head in

tison de garddogg sez yorr welcum enytyme. hee duz lyke a nise bitt ov eer.

gArf

badbaws · 13 February 2006, 23:54

lets start a pole.. how many people called jono...
less confusing...

Jono · 14 February 2006, 08:56

I'm Spartacus.......

Rogue Wave · 14 February 2006, 11:13

I am the gArfish! by the way I meant to say the tall dark handsome one with the small winch!

Stuart M · 14 February 2006, 22:27

Good Luck with the new venture to Stuart, Britt and Jasper. I must say having first met them last year - It's been a long time since I met such nice GENUINE people.

All the best to them! If anyone wants to deal with decent, reliable and genuine people they can't go far wrong with First Wave.

The only connection I have with them BTW is as a customer!