Rant re RIBEX 2007

[Tim M]

I agree with codders on his sunseeker point; they were happy to show me and my girlfriend around the various boats they had on their stand at Southampton last year. They obviously subscribe to idea that every punter is a prospective customer.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

No sea trials. Paul (of Poweboat Training) and JK's view was that most people had decidied taking boats out in the inclement weather would put newbies and wives off their possible purchases.

Perhaps some manufacturers are worried that their product range isn't up to the job

After all, you wouldn't want to showcase your RIB in less that Idea circumstances, would you?

Was Ribcraft, Osprey, Redbay, Humber, Avon and some of the other well known manufacturers of no-nonsence good sea worthy RIB's on display?

In my opinion and from the sellers view, it must be difficult to identify a possible buyer. But surley if the sales person is good at their job, they should be able to tell!

When I visited the Sportboat and RIB show last weekend the sales guy on the pontoon next to the RIB X boats couldn't have looked less interested. I guess his boss told him to work the weekend and like it or lump it.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I agree with codders on his sunseeker point; they were happy to show me and my girlfriend around the various boats they had on their stand at Southampton last year. They obviously subscribe to idea that every punter is a prospective customer.

No, they probably thought of you as a scruffy erk . But if a brand of boats, RIBs or anything else for that matter wants a good image then they have to be accomodating of everyone.

Takes years to build a reputation and days to ruin it.

[Mrs Jardon]

last year i was of the opinion the stands could be better with more stuff and some good chandlers would have been great, however the guy on the electronics stand was very helpful and i made a purchase based on his help and knowledge, but was via the web the next working day.

hopefully there will be some good stands this year and i will probably spend a bit of time looking round the boats as well.

look ing forward to it!

[Tim M]

Dave from Boatcareuk who posts on here is there - he was the chandlery Bruce mentioned. Hes got lots of quality products to be had - rather fancy some of those black lifejackets!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

rather fancy some of those black lifejackets!

Has that Yankee destroyer left the Solent yet? Black lifejackets, black boat... if you look tanned they'll shoot you-I think I got investigated last week

[Jon Brooks]

Well from the other side of the fence..............

This is the first year we have taken a stand at the show.
I have been a great supporter fo the show for many years with my other hat on.

Whilst there were not hundreds of people there today for us it was great.
All those I spoke to today were serious buyers.

There is only one retailer here and that is Dave from Boat Care.
The black jackets are the Kru Sport from Ocean Safety.
I have had one of these for a year or so and it a great bit of kit.
Especially if your running a trip business.
Easy to put on and adjust.

The fantastic value hand held Bruce mentioned is our HX 270
And yes great valule for money!!

I have to say not sure were you were looking Bruse, with all due respect, but Ribcraft, I know for a fact, have been flat out taking potential buyers for sea trails.
I also saw the Balistic team in and out all day as were a few others.
Maybe you were trying the wrong boats

Friday is never the best day for the show and the weekend tends to be the busiest days by far.

I am sorry you had a bad day out but hope it don't out you off totally.

On a lighter side the power went out in Cowes whilst we were about to go for dinner so 6 of us decided to blat across to Southampton for a meal., trip back was, what can only be best described as "interesting"!
And I have learnt that Adrenaline is really brown!!

Here is looking forward to a good weekend in "Cow" on the "Island of the White" dont ask its a long story!!!

All the best

[brucehawsker]

Hi Jon,

For al sorts of reasons - my wife thinks they should service oil rigs - ribcraft did not feature on my list. And Ballistic is too hard a ride for little old me.

I was into the sub superyacht tender but above 6.5 utility market slot and was disppointed in the lack of interest shown by salemen.

[Poly]

13. Style (colour) and accessories seem to be taking precendence over sea worthiness, safety, and, even, speed....

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

For al sorts of reasons - my wife thinks they should service oil rigs - ribcraft did not feature on my list.

you / your wife are probably part of the driver for this trend in the market!

[brucehawsker]

Leave me out of it. I am only a hen pecked male.



Ribcraft did not score because they were snooty when I was looking for my first boat and far less friendly than Parker, Coastline and, most of all, Solent. They were not terribly approachable yesterday anyway!

[codprawn]

I forgot to mention that JBT with their ballistics treated people very well along with the Dutch TPT crew.

[Wight Skipper]

We just had very good service at the Lowrance stand. We are having trouble with out Chartplotter/Fish Finder unit and when they found out that the RIB was in the marina one of the chaps came down on board with us to sort the problem.

A lot of the RIb salesmen can be a bit offish but don't forget that they can't afford one either!

[Hightower]

I had a great day out!

Met up with Jimbo, Tim M and half of Portsmouth Uni it seemed (makes you feel really old).

Started off with welcoming home Sir Robin knox Johnson from his round the world sailing adventure. Thought I'd get my ugly mug on the TV, must have broken the camera though, they used earlier footage shot off Cowes.

Saw loads of friends and even met a few people from RIBnet that I've never met before (thanks for the ride DM + GED).

The only gripes I had was that my local Outboard Marine Dealer was too busy selling his RIBs to give me any time other than shaking my hand and telling me twice he'd be two mins and I waisted 20 mins trying to talk with him. The second gripe is that I wasn't there long enough and wished I'd stayed overnight.

I bought (I think) some Radio gear from one of the sellers, thanks Dave from Boat Care and Jon Brooks, hope the radio gear is better than Silva

Saw some familier faces and had a demo of a Evinrude 150 Etec. I had a chat with the guy helming and thought he looked like some one I knew....It was David Manning and the other guy aboard was GED the small incestuos world of RIBnet never ceases to amaze me.

I helmed back to Portsmouth in Tims Solent 7.1 "Evolution" and was a much more comfortable ride back home you just need to go flat out

[Roy Smith]

The Show is in the wrong place at the wrong time of year
most of the rib manufacturers are flat out and under staffed
For me its no more than a meet up with friends, a short cruise
As for the big boys Scorpion etc there books are full and its no more than PR
I went to day and to name names the sales people on the Yamaha stand should be sacked
The E.Tec stand where the same. no one on the XS stand
The BHG (AVON ) stand was ready and waiting to talk to any one
And though i may sound bias the Scorpion stand was well staffed and friendly
And although i dont like them the Cobra people where helpful and wanting to do deals.
the show is poorly laid out and difficult to get to
Why not have a hall at the London boat show just for RIBs lets face it if you wanted a new rib would you orderer it now knowing that you wont get delivery till Autumn/winter.
There is no WOW factor.

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Where to start????? I went today, Friday, at lunchtime, and stayed for 3 hours. It was grey and damp.

I had (much) more fun at the Beaulieu Boat Jumble, and spent more money!

Hahahahahaha

Nice post Bruce.

But be honest. It's clashing with the Eurovision this year.

K & P (hi to Nauti & Andre & Cooks and the Gecko man & the Solent lot )

[Louise]

Well Tom and I had a brilliant time at Ribex today. Dunno what the show was like though - too busy chatting to everyone!

Oh, and the BIBOA stand welcomed plenty of visitors and Hot Lemon was kept busy giving rides all day.

[Bigmuz7]

Well I've wondered about going for years... guess thats a no then ?

[Boatcareuk]

Good to hear people like the new range of Lifejackets from Ocean Safety which we are stocking at the show. Having looked at a number of designs, the Kru version are my favorite for Powerboating.

The cut away neck is extremely comfortable, once you fasten the zip on the waste coat style jacket you simply reach back on each side and give the two straps a slight tug to fasten it tight. This means you don't have to spend ages threading through the excess on the straps in order to tighten or loosen it. This jacket must be tried on!!

We have got some Baltic Lifejackets which are well suited to occasional use.

When I first heard that someone had left an HX270 in the dry box which was full of salt water for 5 weeks and then pulled out the set and it turned straight on I decided to buy my first Standard Horizon piece of kit. Now they have a great range of VHFs to choose from and some well designed yet quite affordable chartplotters. The entry level waterproof handhelds have been flying off the stand. These compact sets are virtually unbreakable and are fully submersible - guaranteed against water ingress for 3 years.

If you are into toys then the new widescreen plotter may be something to put on you pre-Christmas list. With a video input on the back you can hook it up to a dvd player or a through-deck camera. This could be useful for keeping an eye on passengers or simply capturing the biggest ever wave. You can have a play with one on the SH stand near the entrance to the show.

Finally I must draw you attention to the grab bags on offer. A heavy weight dry-bag with roll-down closure, a shoulder strap, handles and a useful space to place a list of contents - all for £20 less than the average bag you would put your picnic in.

For those of you who have visited our stands elsewhere, you may be surprised that we have brought out such a large range of products at the show. Please don't forget that we still offer valeting and servicing options - with a new cleaning range set to come out in June. For any information about services or products - feel free to contact us.

[The Jackeens]

Never mind all that Dave.

Did you give Nauti a good hosing down?

[Boats]

Originally Posted by Roy Smith

The Show is in the wrong place at the wrong time of year
most of the rib manufacturers are flat out and under staffed
For me its no more than a meet up with friends, a short cruise
As for the big boys Scorpion etc there books are full and its no more than PR
I went to day and to name names the sales people on the Yamaha stand should be sacked
The E.Tec stand where the same. no one on the XS stand
The BHG (AVON ) stand was ready and waiting to talk to any one
And though i may sound bias the Scorpion stand was well staffed and friendly
And although i dont like them the Cobra people where helpful and wanting to do deals.
the show is poorly laid out and difficult to get to
Why not have a hall at the London boat show just for RIBs lets face it if you wanted a new rib would you orderer it now knowing that you wont get delivery till Autumn/winter.
There is no WOW factor.

What do you mean there is no "WOW" factor, my two colleagues Binny and Charlene are there today and tomorrow handing out copies of magazine and our spring boat show paper from our stand, it could not be more WOW than that! :-)

Cheers

Stephen