Rant re RIBEX 2007

[Andre]

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.

This seems a daft logic. The whole point of a rib is to be safe when shit happens. I have been in a F5/F6 SW approaching the Needles from the south going round the island clockwise. Three 16 year olds with me at Christmas tern half term. OK, probably should not have gone east from Cowes, but it seemed ok then. Forecast was F4 SW. By the time we got round St Catherine's, which was interesting but not really demanding - my 16 year old helmed - we were wet and a little gloomy. Lymington beckoned. Yes, perhpas I should have turned round. I took over the helm and had a challenging (never remotely life threatening) 10 minutes and the boat handled like a dream. Once across the bridge with a following sea, fairly raced home.

Today outside Cowes was nothing like as bad. And there were punters like me who would have liked to see how the offerings coped in classical messy chop with the odd bigger wave.

But no one offered.

Let us face it, I don't look rich enough, or scruffy enougfh, or hang out enough with the 'right' people....

Bruce, you never asked for a ride . We spoke very briefly and you never came back. I have never refused anybody a rib ride. Last year for 3 days we were giving people rides on our seasafari rib. This year we had 3 ribs and all 3 were going out each day.

Andre

[Andre]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Totally agree Bruce. Best treatment I have ever had at a boatshow was from Sunseeker at the Southampton show. The most expensive boat there (£4.5million) and we were treated like royalty.

The worst treatment was by Scorpion at RIBEX - had money in the bank ready to buy a RIB and they wouldn't give me the time of day.

You should have came to see us

[ribit]

Agree with Ribcraft being snooty, when I decided to go from hard boat to rib I decided to buy a smaller rib first with a 70hp just to try things out as I had been out on a friends 4m avon with a 40hp it did 40mph and looked great fun with the idea of buying a larger rib if I liked them...and Ribcraft 4.8 was my 1st choice, so I went to a show where they had a stand and a 4.8 in the water for demo...the salesman said he could not let me look at the boat right then let alone a demo so come back in an hour...went back in an hour, no still not poss just yet, waited another hour sorry he said no demo, then he said cant help you anyway we have a waiting list...all that for what I thought was a boat no bigger than an offcut, would never buy ribcraft now on another note have a few mates working for Sunseeker one fits the engines in the 60+footer he does one every 8-10 days...incredible how many people there are around with that kinda money and thats only one boat in a huge range!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Andre

You should have came to see us

Ahh it was a few years ago - apparently you were the chap hobbling around in a plaster cast at the time!!!

[The Edges]

Originally Posted by ribit

Agree with Ribcraft being snooty, when I decided to go from hard boat to rib I decided to buy a smaller rib first with a 70hp just to try things out as I had been out on a friends 4m avon with a 40hp it did 40mph and looked great fun with the idea of buying a larger rib if I liked them...and Ribcraft 4.8 was my 1st choice, so I went to a show where they had a stand and a 4.8 in the water for demo...the salesman said he could not let me look at the boat right then let alone a demo so come back in an hour...went back in an hour, no still not poss just yet, waited another hour sorry he said no demo, then he said cant help you anyway we have a waiting list...all that for what I thought was a boat no bigger than an offcut, would never buy ribcraft now on another note have a few mates working for Sunseeker one fits the engines in the 60+footer he does one every 8-10 days...incredible how many people there are around with that kinda money and thats only one boat in a huge range!!!

That sounds terrible
I have to say my experience of ribcraft was totally different.
The following tips may help anyone serious about buying a serious rib:

1. Call the factory before the show and book a slot
2. In the case of Ribcraft, attend their annual boat test day in October. You can drive, yes drive any of their ribs for as long as you like, talk to the guys that build them and its all free
3. Again in the case of ribcraft ask (nicely!) whether they would carry out a demo at weymouth for you.

The other thing to note is, once you have bought the boat. how will the service be? Again Ribcraft have been brilliant. I get free advice, professional service and great quality work (OK its not cheap- But I don't mind paying if my expectations are met ) They even helped me sell my last boat

Not wanting to be too one sided but just to balance things up a bit

[Andre]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Ahh it was a few years ago - apparently you were the chap hobbling around in a plaster cast at the time!!!

yes sad memories. first Ribex and couldn't take anyone out. I now take extra care before Ribex

[Hightower]

I'll tell you what Andre, I'd have loved to have a go on the Safari and Sea Hawke, however my time was short and wished I'd stayed for longer. What I missed this year was a natter and a beer with some good friends!

Bogi, sorry we couldn't have talked for more, however when I last saw you, you where dissappearing into the horizon again

[Powerboats]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

There was a rather unusual Mediterranean Cabin rib, but with a bimini which did not come unclipped, but which the salesman assured me would survive in the UK seas. Hmmm... given the speed with which Farfetched can stick her nose in and deposit a wall of water down the front and back of my Mustos, and wash anything in its path off the stern, I somehow am sceptical.

Bruce

Not sure who you spoke to but apologies for incorrect information. The bimini can of course be folded to the A-Frame, or alternatively removed completely by just unzipping the canvas.

The attached picture shows it folded to the A-frame.

Of course it is unlikely you will have the bimini extended if you were using the boat in heavy seas. I can tell you though that having driven the Skydeck in unpleasant conditions over the last week I have yet to get a wave to break over the boat.

Dan Cross
Managing Director
Powerboats Ltd

[NautiAndNice]

Originally Posted by Simon Hawkins

Hello

I wonder who that was then !!!

Simon

Forgot to mention that this was the same Cowes Inshore Lifeboat boy who threw me over his shoulder on the pontoons on Fri afternoon and dangled me over the edge of The Solent!

[bogib]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Bogi, sorry we couldn't have talked for more, however when I last saw you, you where dissappearing into the horizon again

I would have loved chatting a lot more, have put it into channel we discussed and will let you know the results in due time.

Bogi

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Hightower

I'll tell you what Andre, I'd have loved to have a go on the Safari and Sea Hawke, however my time was short and wished I'd stayed for longer. What I missed this year was a natter and a beer with some good friends!

Bogi, sorry we couldn't have talked for more, however when I last saw you, you where dissappearing into the horizon again

I saw you just for a moment and then you just vanished , sorry I did not have time to talk when you came. No doubt we will catch up sooner then later

[Hightower]

Well there's always next years RIBBEX, I'll have to book a room for the night.

[Ferdi]

Hello,

we were 5 guys, 4 from Germany and me from Austria, who visited RIBEX the first time on SA and SU .
We 5 agree, that we had an excellent time at Cowes the last weekend.
Even RIBEX is not really a big boat show and even there were a lot of RIB builders missing, we got a good look over the "english styled RIBs" , which are not so popular in our countries, most people even don't know them.
Most of us own italian RIBs or from other european countries, just one guy ownes a Falcon 640.
We hope, that RIBEX will develop to get a littel larger and that more manufacturer will take part.
We liked the COBRA Ribs and were very impressed by the test rides with the COBRA 7.5 , Ballistic 7.8 (thanks to Jonny Boys ;-) ! ), the KLNR boat and the V-Type from Breezeribs.
I am sure, our next visit will be a big attack to our bank account ;-) .

here are the threads about RIBEX in our forums -
http://www.schlauchboot-forum.com/fo...ead.php?t=6709
http://www.schlauchboot-online.at/fo...ad.php?t=13051

[brucehawsker]

Not to get at Andre, at all, one of the nicest blokes in the business. But to me, this sums up the failings of the industry in selling:

"Bruce, you never asked for a ride . We spoke very briefly and you never came back. I have never refused anybody a rib ride. Last year for 3 days we were giving people rides on our seasafari rib. This year we had 3 ribs and all 3 were going out each day."

No, I didn't ask for a ride. I actually wanted to see who offered me a ride. Who actually wanted to take money off me.

When I walk into a car showroom with £75,000 in my pocket for an X5 I don't expect to have to ask for someone to show me how it works and to take me out. Surely I would expect someone to offer to do the same for similar money for a RIB?.

Perhaps I am picky, but I only had a short time this year to spare. I went across from Lym on the ferry and then caught a couple of buses since I had some business to conduct on the phone. Was at the show for perhaps 3 hours. And was offered NO rides, even though I asked for one in the cabin rib I mentioned earlier. So I used the time to look hard at what was on offer, build quality and other issues, and I have so far kept my pocket book locked up.

I was serious - no one risks buses on the Island otherwise - but disappointed.

I had hoped to find someone at the 8.5/9M who did a cabin and at least would talk seriously about the issues and show me their hull in action. Apart from Solent (for whom, lets face it, I am already a client), and despite having a few taster chats which never matured to a song and dance routine, no seller offered me a ride.

The problem, I think, is that I am not enough part of the 'scene'. But then surely, nor are many other potential buyers. And I don't think you colud accuse me of being shy and retiring.....

[RIVA]

so bruce this is just a question ? as im intrested

you stood there and sold boats last year ?
what did you do diffrent & how many did you sell ? useing a diffrent tack ?

i just wonderd , if i could pick up any tips that would help , what actualy would you do diffrent if you had £8 to spend on every potential customer you saw ?

by the way i just added the bill up for ribex cost us over £6500 to do it

and had to carry £350000 of stock all built prior to satisfie percived demand !

so what would you do

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Not to get at Andre, at all, one of the nicest blokes in the business. But to me, this sums up the failings of the industry in selling:

"Bruce, you never asked for a ride . We spoke very briefly and you never came back. I have never refused anybody a rib ride. Last year for 3 days we were giving people rides on our seasafari rib. This year we had 3 ribs and all 3 were going out each day."

No, I didn't ask for a ride. I actually wanted to see who offered me a ride. Who actually wanted to take money off me.

I am a little surprised at your approach to this, you must have been one of the very few who did not go out on the rib, my rib and the other Baltic 900, the 2 x 750RS were in and out both days Friday and Saturday, Sunday was a tad wet not a lot of people so we only went out a handful of rides. Quite often we had 10-15 people on a slightly rocky jetty so it was not always possible to see who was being spoken to and who wasn't, those that were really interested made it known and taken out on a demo, those that wanted a ride, saw we were about to go out on a demo and asked if we would mind if they too jumped on, we did not refuse anyone unless the rib was full.

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

When I walk into a car showroom with £75,000 in my pocket for an X5 I don't expect to have to ask for someone to show me how it works and to take me out. Surely I would expect someone to offer to do the same for similar money for a RIB?.

I very much doubt there are more than 10-15 people at once walking round a BMW dealership looking round one vehicle at the same time.

Personally I think you should have made yourself known a little more, or come back when there were fewer people on the Jetty.

[qcamel]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Not to get at Andre, at all, one of the nicest blokes in the business. But to me, this sums up the failings of the industry in selling:

"Bruce, you never asked for a ride . We spoke very briefly and you never came back. I have never refused anybody a rib ride. Last year for 3 days we were giving people rides on our seasafari rib. This year we had 3 ribs and all 3 were going out each day."

No, I didn't ask for a ride. I actually wanted to see who offered me a ride. Who actually wanted to take money off me.

When I walk into a car showroom with £75,000 in my pocket for an X5 I don't expect to have to ask for someone to show me how it works and to take me out. Surely I would expect someone to offer to do the same for similar money for a RIB?.

Perhaps I am picky, but I only had a short time this year to spare. I went across from Lym on the ferry and then caught a couple of buses since I had some business to conduct on the phone. Was at the show for perhaps 3 hours. And was offered NO rides, even though I asked for one in the cabin rib I mentioned earlier. So I used the time to look hard at what was on offer, build quality and other issues, and I have so far kept my pocket book locked up.

I was serious - no one risks buses on the Island otherwise - but disappointed.

I had hoped to find someone at the 8.5/9M who did a cabin and at least would talk seriously about the issues and show me their hull in action. Apart from Solent (for whom, lets face it, I am already a client), and despite having a few taster chats which never matured to a song and dance routine, no seller offered me a ride.

The problem, I think, is that I am not enough part of the 'scene'. But then surely, nor are many other potential buyers. And I don't think you colud accuse me of being shy and retiring.....

Sorry to sound provocative but that is just plain silly. I am sure that if hundreds of people walked into a BMW dealership with the £75k you mention then they would miss a good few customers, rememebr that many people myself included do not like to be pushed when looking, if you are serious about buying a boat use the voice that god gave you. Do you really want every boat builder jumping out and offering a ride? If so I guess that 3 hours would not be enough to see 10% of the show...

It is so easy to moan about events and be critical, much harder to step up and do it. RIBEX is a small specialised show for a small specialised market, and yes I am sure it could be better but that does not make it bad. It sounds to me that your blaming others rather than addressing things yourself.....

[Carl]

cant believe he got the bus

[Chris]

Bruce, I was there on Sunday and got 4 boat rides in 2 hours, all I did was ask.

Chris

[Andre]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Not to get at Andre, at all, one of the nicest blokes in the business. But to me, this sums up the failings of the industry in selling:

"Bruce, you never asked for a ride . We spoke very briefly and you never came back. I have never refused anybody a rib ride. Last year for 3 days we were giving people rides on our seasafari rib. This year we had 3 ribs and all 3 were going out each day."

No, I didn't ask for a ride. I actually wanted to see who offered me a ride. Who actually wanted to take money off me.

I had hoped to find someone at the 8.5/9M who did a cabin and at least would talk seriously about the issues and show me their hull in action. Apart from Solent (for whom, lets face it, I am already a client), and despite having a few taster chats which never matured to a song and dance routine, no seller offered me a ride.

The problem, I think, is that I am not enough part of the 'scene'. But then surely, nor are many other potential buyers. And I don't think you colud accuse me of being shy and retiring.....

Bruce. Many thanks for your kind words. At the time when you came I was busy talking to an interested party and at that time that party only was getting my full attention. How would you feel if I walked away from you only to talk to somebody else believing I would get a sale. I do not ask people if the have ready cash to spend. I am sorry that you felt I had ignored you. That was not the case. We have known each other since 2004 and have always got on very well. I have found that many people seeing that I was busy at the time of their visit would either wait or come back. You unfortunately did not come back. Parker Ribs will be at Seawork 2007 12-14 June and if you could PM me your address I will send you a VIP invitation. We will have on the water the Parker 900Baltic twin diesel. The same rib which was at Ribex.

Last year at Ribex Richard Ware made 12 rides on our 9 mtr Seasafari rib and I was counting. Not once did he even give me a hint he was in the market for a similar rib. This only came to light after the show. The rest is history.

As for 9 mtr cabin ribs we are currently executing an order for 6 such ribs and the deliveries start from the end of June so if you were to travel to Poland between end of June and October you can have a demo on an actual 9 mtr twin diesel jet cabin rib. See the press release in RI

I do hope you will find the time to visit Seawork so we can discuss this matter further