Ribex

[Hightower]

I won't waste my time and money going this year. I think the Sports boat and RIB show has really stolen a march over RIBEX in the last couple of years.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Hightower

I won't waste my time and money going this year. I think the Sports boat and RIB show has really stolen a march over RIBEX in the last couple of years.

So the 21-22nd of May verses the 13-15th then.

[North Shore]

I have been to Ribex for the last few years, Southampton and then Cowes) - being an local. One of the pleasures of a boat show isn't necessarily looking at Ribs which are out of my price reach but looking at the exhibitors selling chandlery, bits and pieces etc. I purchased my Orca cover there a couple of years ago. The problem is that last year there was almost nothing to see.....I think I was in the land area for 10 minutes and that was two laps of what seemed to be a lot smaller area and frankly once a tour of the pontoons is finished, to quote Private Eye "err, that's it" Where are the smaller companies who were there in previous years - there's clearly an issue when they don't appears for such a specialised show

The exhibitors looked bored and unapproachable (even if they weren't), the cost was excessive for the time spent and a number of my friends were very disappointed even driving from locations on the Island. Also re-admission is only an incentive if it's worth going back to see the exhibition - which sadly it wasn't.

Then there was the famous fuel can incident from 2009 Ribex - exhibitor had been to the Caravan show and priced jerry cans at £19.99, leaving the price on them whilst transporting to Ribex - I rock up, think 'good price' only to be told - price had gone up to £29.99 for the show....result - no sale and local chandlery had the business instead.

I do actually think it could be a great event but it sure isn't a music festival and I am aware that last year there were tickets being given away to encourage attendees for the evening as this was reported to me by several Cowes dwellers.

Just a thought but perhaps it is the wrong location with the wrong emphasis now and speaking recently to one exhibitor of several years standing they expressed very strong views as to how good the Sports Boat exhivition at Ocean Village was and how much cheaper to exhibit (which reflects earlier posts here)

I would be sad to see it leave Cowes but right now Ribex seems to have lost it's way (in my humble punters opinion)

[RJH]

I'd agree with most of the comments on here from the punter's point of view and for any exhibitors info, we find that it's a pleasant way to spend an hour max but very poor value for money. You really are paying a premium for too specialist a show and I'm pretty sure we'll give it a miss this time. Too similar to the previous year and the one before that etc. It just needs to be 3 or 4 times the size with more variety and as a previous poster has said much, much more on shore and regrettably the rib indusry can't sustain such a thing.

[North Shore]

To continue thoughts from above if the show could develop more on land activities/exhibitors (which presumably depends on the charges to them) it would be more attractive - what I can't grasp is why there is a music element - the Island already has two cracking festivals and numerous music events - surely the Rib 'community' (traders and punters) would be better served by concentrating on the core activity.

In these financially doom-laden times the thought of getting a bargain piece of kit might well be more attractive than looking at unobtainable boats for the vast majority of those attending.

[martini]

Originally Posted by North Shore

what I can't grasp is why there is a music element

Might have something to do with HMS's other passion - he plays guitar in a band

[ribraff]

http://www.swansinflight.com/

[Poly]

Originally Posted by martini

Might have something to do with HMS's other passion - he plays guitar in a band

and is also editior of some guitar mags!