Southampton Boat Show -which model to exhibit????

[Andre]

Like with most manufacturers when building a stock boat for a boat show the dilemma is always -which model, which engine and what HP , what colour for the GRP and tubes , what deck furniture and what radio and navigation equipment.

Will the rib be a head turner? Will one sell it at the show or will one be stuck with her?

This year we will again be exhibiting at the SBS with our Parker Weekend range of hard boats but for this year I am also considering taking a rib. The Parker rib must be of course a 100% leisure rib with leisure appearance but with excellent sea handling capabilities. The Parker 750 RS ticks all the boxes and as I have had two such in the past as demo ribs I know this model very well. The first one was with a Verado 225 outboard engine and the other with a Mercruiser 4.2 320HP diesel stern drive. The petrol one is now enjoying life in Iceland and the diesel model in the Republic of Ireland. I have decided on the petrol version with a very similar deck layout like my ex-demo model as shown on the attached photos. The Parker 750 RS has a very deep V hull which slices through the waves like a knife through a bar of butter (not frozen – in case somebody pops the questions)

The reason for starting this thread is to get some input to see what the trend is for the leisure market? What are now the favoured colours? What are the likes and dislikes of fellow ribsters?

Perhaps you are in the market for this size of rib and you could have a secret input in the final specification. Who knows?

The engine of course must be from the Mercury range and here I have in mind the Verado 225 or even the 250. I would even consider the 4 cyl 200 HP model if this was to be a budget built rib. As for gauges then again to keep the price down either just go for the standard Smartcraft gauges or at a premium the multi display Smartcraft vessel viewer.

As for the radio and navigation equipment then the Lowrance HDS-8 or 10 GPS chartplotter /sounder, SonicHub, with a pair of speakers and a Lowrance VHF radio. We only install Simrad or Lowrance.

Your input will be much appreciated and I would like to finalize the specification asap as the delivery into the UK would have to be at the end of August.

I can promise those with the best input a ride in the Solent before the show. This would have to be before the show not after, as the new owner, whoever he or she may be, may not let me keep my promise.  

[vjmehra]

As for head turners, I'd imagine one of your high end cabin ribs would draw some crowds in (I'd love to see a Parker Baltic Cruiser in the flesh)!

[cgf10]

I think ideally you'd have two boats. One semi commercial/traditional jockeys etc, with good tech spec then a 7.5m to 9m boat with black imprint type tubes, some LEDs, sub woofer for the iPod, part race, part leisure. That should get the buying hormones flooding for purists and playboys alike.

[whisper]

Parker 750
Verado 250
Black Hull
Black console and jockey seats
Black Carbon fibre effect tubes
Beige upholstery with the Parker logo tastefully embossed in the back rests
Subtle stainless steel handles and windscreen rail
Tinted windscreen
Teak deck
Stainless Steel or possibly black a frame (You choose Andre)
Lowrance HDS-8 with structure Scan

......... Thats my dream rib

[whisper]

Oh yeah, if you do make it I won't mind driving back from the factory

[landlord]

Originally Posted by whisper

Parker 750
Verado 250
Black Hull
Black console and jockey seats
Black Carbon fibre effect tubes
Beige upholstery with the Parker logo tastefully embossed in the back rests
Subtle stainless steel handles and windscreen rail
Tinted windscreen
Teak deck
Stainless Steel or possibly black a frame (You choose Andre)
Lowrance HDS-8 with structure Scan

......... Thats my dream rib

Mmmm sounds familiar

[biffer]

Morning mate, my opinion for what it is worth, I would like to see brighter colours and graphics, maybe a departure from jockey seats, I've been thinking for a long while about how to update a rib interior, lets face it, jockey seat have been about for more than two decades, I know they work well but there has to be something better, before you all say suspension seats, I agree but not as complicated as the ones about and not at the price, I need to think harder and out of the box

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by biffer

lets face it, jockey seat have been about for more than two decades, I know they work well but there has to be something better

Yes, seem to remember Big John K has strong views on this

[Ian M]

My view, a leisure RIB of 7.5m and more will be an aspirational purchase. Throw as much high end kit at it as you can afford. On that basis I would say the 4 cylinder Verado is a no-no.
Other thoughts are bright attention grabbing colours for the tubes, and some eye catching, high quality brightwork i.e. keep those welds tidy

[Zippy]

Do manufacturers really build stock boats specifically for a boat show?

I would have thought you would build boats to order, or as a stock boat with a view to sell on promptly, in which case you should be looking at what your best selling boat is in what configuration and start with that.

Stock boats are generally middle spec boats that appeal to the widest audiance and give best chance to sell on.

Building something that is striking and different is all very well but it limits your market to the more extrovert people that a boat like that appeals to. Yes, it might get you attention and footfall but thats only good if it translates into customers.

For us, it has to be a big Verado outboard,

Console with double bolster seat and some sort of rear facing seat incorporated to the bolster (prehaps containing a fridge / sink / storage unit)

Rear bench seat with engine mounted in splash well and deck space between the bolster and bench for a table.

Raised foredeck / Sunpad with LARGE locker under for storage of all those bits....

Personally, white and black tubes, quality stainless fixtures, LED Lights and teak decking. I would want Garmin electronics as my experience with them has been first rate and they seem to be market leader in the UK where you are looking to sell this boat.

Im guessing for you thats circa £80k + so a big investment as a stock boat for a small dealer. Would make more sense to sweet talk a customer to use their boat for the show, decent scrub and polish and it should be as good as new!

I know for sure that if i was ordering any new build boat there would need to be a sizeable incentive before i was prepared to let a dealer use it as a show boat. I wouldnt want lots of people picking their way over my new boat! i have seen first hand how destructive some people can be!!

[boristhebold]

I think eye catching is the right way to go, a 7.5M would be a good size. What about thinking about this in terms of sports cars, as in whats most preferred colour, black is always good, what about thinking about the GRP colour, most are always white, here is my list ...

Black Hull and GRP above on deck, tubes in black with a silver rubbing strake.
Do something with the A frame as the shape looks a tad dated now, what about a new shape angled forward a bit like on the cobra 7.5M or a nice single pole at the rear with radar, nav lights and vhf etc, ive seen a very nice pole setup on a seadna 999 in my local marina.
Deck lighting, LED's and at stern
Seat aplostry in black with silver piping
Ipod deck music system with speakers in console and rear bench seat
Main seats what about bolster seats instead of jockey seats
Avoid a huge GPS Plotter which some manufacturers put in to show off but which look too large on the water, something of a reasonable size, the raymarine I7 would be a good choice.
A grab rope running along both tubes
Some locker arrangement at bow with a cushion so two people could lay out on.
A proper bow post and rings at stern for anchoring and towing if need be
Proper deck drain system
Articifial teak
Ability to mount a table
What about some form of bluetooth for mobile phone use with a seperate control mounted on dash and speaker/microphone as its a right pain trying to find your mobile in a pocket etc when it goes off and your underway, think car hands free kit type.
A console that you can fit a small toilet in (for our better halves)
What about a decent spotlight mounted in Bow for night time cruising to avoid lobster pots.
A small compartment built into the dash to hold small items like phones, gloves etc, think car glove box.

In short something leisure orientated which is comfortable and quick and has all the right things that people need or what like to have in a cool colour scheme which isnt going to look like a blinged out subaru imprezza.

[boristhebold]

And I almost forgot, a dashboard that has the carbon fibre effect, do a search for 'Carbon Weazel' based near southampton and look at how they have done a number of boat dashboards, would look very cool indeed.

[Andre]

Many thanks for your comments so far, fully appreciated.
Vjehra – I agree a demo Parker Baltic Cruiser twin diesel stern drive, a dream cabin rib which if I had I would try not to sell too soon just use for some cross channel cruises and extended weekends on the water
Cgf10 – we will have 3 boats at SBS but only 1 rib (an Parker 800 Weekend and a Parker 660 Weekend, see Parker Poland ? Bateaux à moteur - Parker Poland ? Bateaux à moteur - Home )
Whisper – Alex having had one Black rib I would not go for another one just in case I was to be left with her. Lots of polishing required whereas I would prefer to spend my time on the water .
As for driving from Poland then only a diesel rib. Petrol is a problem as not everywhere available
Biff – I must visit you again when I am next time down your way
I know what you mean by the jockey seats only what instead – Ullman and Scots seat are great. I know as I have had Scots Seats and love them. A bit pricy however for a stock rib as I need to keep an eye of the costs
Bench seats or just a sit on support is not on perhaps more acceptable for a med type rib but not for us. Bucket seats – not a good idea
Colours say an usual shade of white with a yellow or red tube as these colours go well with a narrow strip of black rubbing strake and a few only of our special non-slip patches arranged only at the seating area
IanM - I agree about the Verado 4 cyl 200 HP a great engine for a 650 and perhaps not the best for a demo 750. From your comment “and some eye catching, high quality brightwork i.e. keep those welds tidy” I gather that you have never seen a Parker rib in the flesh. Our stainless steel work is first class, high quality and first class the welds. You would be impressed.

Boristhebold - I will respond shortly

[Andre]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

And I almost forgot, a dashboard that has the carbon fibre effect, do a search for 'Carbon Weazel' based near southampton and look at how they have done a number of boat dashboards, would look very cool indeed.

The was done on Solent Voyager The Parker 1000 Baltic Seasafari Rib. Looks great on a red rib.

[Paul Cannell]

A Satin finish on the stainless

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Paul Cannell

A Satin finish on the stainless

Paul, I know what you mean as in my "other life" and this is years ago I used to work for a company in Henley in Arden and they made wet blasting equipment and using as the blasting media micro size glass beads you could not get a better smooth and satin finish on stainless steel. Sadly on that site there is now an expensive residential estate. One would need a big machine to put an A Frame inside. Such were made but have my doubts if any still running in Poland and some were supplied there.

[Andre]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

I think eye catching is the right way to go, a 7.5M would be a good size. What about thinking about this in terms of sports cars, as in whats most preferred colour, black is always good, what about thinking about the GRP colour, most are always white, here is my list ...

Black Hull and GRP above on deck, tubes in black with a silver rubbing strake.
Do something with the A frame as the shape looks a tad dated now, what about a new shape angled forward a bit like on the cobra 7.5M or a nice single pole at the rear with radar, nav lights and vhf etc, ive seen a very nice pole setup on a seadna 999 in my local marina.
Deck lighting, LED's and at stern
Seat aplostry in black with silver piping
Ipod deck music system with speakers in console and rear bench seat
Main seats what about bolster seats instead of jockey seats
Avoid a huge GPS Plotter which some manufacturers put in to show off but which look too large on the water, something of a reasonable size, the raymarine I7 would be a good choice.
A grab rope running along both tubes
Some locker arrangement at bow with a cushion so two people could lay out on.
A proper bow post and rings at stern for anchoring and towing if need be
Proper deck drain system
Articifial teak
Ability to mount a table
What about some form of bluetooth for mobile phone use with a seperate control mounted on dash and speaker/microphone as its a right pain trying to find your mobile in a pocket etc when it goes off and your underway, think car hands free kit type.
A console that you can fit a small toilet in (for our better halves)
What about a decent spotlight mounted in Bow for night time cruising to avoid lobster pots.
A small compartment built into the dash to hold small items like phones, gloves etc, think car glove box.

In short something leisure orientated which is comfortable and quick and has all the right things that people need or what like to have in a cool colour scheme which isnt going to look like a blinged out subaru imprezza.

very interesting specification but for the Parker 900RS not 750RS

with the type of console shown on the 900RS one could have a sea toilet with a view or if some privacy was required then the type I had on my demo Parker 900RS

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Andre

From your comment “and some eye catching, high quality brightwork i.e. keep those welds tidy” I gather that you have never seen a Parker rib in the flesh. Our stainless steel work is first class, high quality and first class the welds. You would be impressed.

Good oh. No criticsm intended. I'll try to be impressed when I see one

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Good oh. No criticsm intended. I'll try to be impressed when I see one

No worries,

The T-top on Solent Rib Safaris : Solent Rib Safaris is a good example and of course all the installed A Frames on Parker ribs.

Anyway you would not have to try, you will be impressed

[Steve_B]

Andre, another request to see the 10m Baltic cabin RIB, I may even get Mrs B to let me buy it!
If you do go for someting in the 8m size, spec it right up and go for some bright colours, with a 300/350 verado
Steve