What would Steve Irwin say?

[Mark Babbe]

Having moved from Guernsey to Perth I was looking forward to days out on the water dodging Tiger sharks. However having gone to the Perth boat show in search of a new Rib it became apparent that the Ozzies do not appreciate Ribs and there was nothing on show except the weird Rib on wheels and a Zap Cat.

Has anyone got any ideas of what is going on with this and any experience of buying/importing a Rib from Blighty. Major issue would be exchange rates as some toilet paper has a higher value than Ozzy notes.

Any ideas of a solution would be welcomed.

[genoa]

Check out South Africa as a source. I believe they have some great capability and the currency is not so much of a problem. You could always set up a dealership!

[Bern Hanreck]

What about one of those nice Protectors from NZ ?

[Apherel]

Hi Mark,

I've looked into it fairly thoroughly - there is a bit more choice on this coast, but anything good is very pricey. I'm bring in an Osprey Vipermax from the UK. Happy to discuss and help out if I can. Send me a pm with some contact details if you want to chat.

[Apherel]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

What about one of those nice Protectors from NZ ?

Yep they look great - but the smallest is 6.5m and they are not cheap either.

[codprawn]

What do you think of Perth - one of my best mates is emigrating there next month - and yes it's all down to Tony!!! In fact there are more people leaving the UK now than ever before - nearly 400,000 last year - and they are the very people we NEED here.

[Carl]

[nugent]

and yet anotehr vipermax.

and a mate of course

[ian parkes]

My apprentice emigrated to perth area last year . He seems to be getting of well with more job and fun prospects than here, by the sounds of it .

maybe they don't have ribs because the sun kills the tubes too quickly .

[1up]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

My apprentice emigrated to perth area last year . He seems to be getting of well with more job and fun prospects than here, by the sounds of it .

maybe they don't have ribs because the sun kills the tubes too quickly .

I think this is true the toooobs dont weather well in a hot climate

My Mum emigrated to Cyprus and looked into buying a rib and was advised against it with that explanation

[martini]

They don't stand up to well against shark attacks either

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by martini

They don't stand up to well against shark attacks either

Just be fast on the throttle.

[codprawn]

They get plenty of sun in California - the old Avon RIBs knocking around seem to last well enough - 20 or 30 years and still going strong!!!

I think it's mainly down to the colour of the tubes - grey seems to survive almost anything. My nice shiny blue tubes had oxidised in just 1 summer. Now they are clean ahain I keep applying the sun tan lotion.............

[Tomas]

I after Shark, Shark not after I.

My SeaRider lives at 17 degrees North of the equator, the land of UV and is 9 years old without noticable UV damage. I keep the tubes covered possibly 50% of the time. Grey they are....and brown I.

Tomas

[Mark Babbe]

Thanks for your replies,

I think the reason for not using Ribs is probably one of the following reasons:

1) About 60% of boat sales seem to be for fishing applications.
2) They like to build their boats like their cars, big, ugly and heavy.
3) Apart from a couple of months a year these guys experience fair weather boating.

At the Perth boat show i saw this interesting fast fisher, this is their version of a pontoon boat. The question why springs to mind?

www.typhoonboats.com.au

Check it out but please do not laugh too hard.

[Mark Babbe]

What i did not mention is that i gave the salesman my number and he is trying to arrange a time for a quick sea trial. I will let everyone know what i think of it.
He did also assure me with the 140 he had on the back that it would go 40 knots. My answer to this was "REALLY!"

See for yourselves

[Biggles]

That Typhoon boat looks like the type of boat I saw JM Coustaeu using off South Africa on TV tonight. It was certainly fasT but it had twin Yam 150's on the back.

[Mark Babbe]

So,

I e-mailed Gemini Ribs about interest in a 8.5m Gemini to be used as a Rib tour package, see attached picture.

The next best thing was when i asked for a ball park price for the thing, was shocked to hear Aus$190,000. Ouch.

Probably as cheap to get a brand i know imported from the UK.

May decide to buy a canoe and start paddling instead!!

[codprawn]

Bloody hell that's almost £80,000!!!

Just get a much better British boat and get it shipped down. I suspect engines MAY be cheaper with you so you could get it rigged there.

[nik]

Theres also aquapro and naiad.

http://www.naiad.co.nz/