More and more yachtsmen are swapping the usual small inflatable tender for a more powerful RIB, so it's a fair bet that there will be sail enthusiasts among the petrolheads at Ribex 2007, “the International Boat Show for RIBs,” at Cowes from May 11th 13th.
"We are delighted to be associated with this key maritime event, one which represents the most successful sector of the powerboat market not only here in the UK, but in many territories around the world", said Richard Whittaker, Suzuki marine sales and marketing manager.
Suzuki Marine's three year sponsorship of the show, from 2007 to 2009, is a vote of confidence in the show, now in its 9th year.
The success of Ribex can be put down to the strength of the RIB market in general, which has enjoyed sustained growth now for some 12 years or so, and also to the fact it truly is a show, not just a static exhibition, say the organisers.
It remains the only show in the world dedicated entirely to the RIB market. The organisers have resisted pressure to introduce non-RIB related products, arguing that its purist, 'non-diluted' nature is one of its strengths. The facility to sea trial any one of the 70 or more craft afloat in the event marina is another.
"No other show in the UK offers its visitors a genuine seaway in which to trial boats back to back," explains RIB Exhibitions MD, Hugo Montgomery-Swan. "If you are to sea trial an offshore craft effectively this simply cannot be done on a lake, estuary or some other land-protected waterway. It can only be accomplished at sea, in open water, and that's exactly what RIBEX's location in Cowes affords - genuine sea trialling."
Gareth Welton, the show's manager, says Ribex will be bigger and better than ever this year. Water space in the event marina is already almost completely booked out, “and the landside exhibitors too are raising their game," he said.
Besides engine suppliers, the 2007 tented village on the Cowes Yacht Haven site will be packed with every conceivable product from chandlery, RIB branded clothing, electronics, headgear, 4x4s, MTVs, static RIB exhibits, specialist services and parts suppliers, tenders, wakeboards and essential RIB kit for professional and private owners alike, he said.
A new feature this year is the introduction of the RNLI Sea Safety Dock, where visitors arriving by RIB can moor alongside a designated pontoon within the event marina and at no charge, can have an RNLI Sea Safety analysis of their craft - complete with RNLI certification.
This year too, the RYA in association with BIBOA, will be running both the Race RIB Experience, offering the chance to play navigator and go ripping up the waters of the Solent aboard a race RIB with a championship driver at the helm, and public RIB rides.
The KNRM (Royal Dutch Lifeboat Service) will be the “guest of honour”, and besides formally opening the show, will also be bringing the largest RIB lifeboat in the world.
"It truly is a great privilege to have the KNRM come all the way from Holland to Ribex this year," says Welton. "Their giant 62ft, 28 tonne, 2,000hp lifesaving RIB is legendary all around the world, and this we believe will be the very first time the public will have had the opportunity of actually meeting the crews and being given such special access to one of these KNRM Arie Visser class lifeboats.”
There will also be a British lifesaving display. In conjunction with the Cowes Inshore Lifeboat, the MCA will be staging a daily flypast drill with their Sikorsky S61N Coastguard helicopter. In addition, the daily programme also includes MOB drills, a RIB jumping demonstration and a 'walking on water' display.
Ribex 2007 will see a number of important launches from many of the leading RIB manufacturers. RIBs from 4 to 13 metres will be on display ashore and afloat .
"The RIB builders this year have some really fantastic new designs up their sleeves to unveil to the visiting public,” said Welton.
“Plus, of course, several models that have been launched over the course of the last few months and seen as static displays perhaps at the London or Paris boat shows will be on the water at RIBEX, available for sea trialling for the very first time."
Red Funnel will once again be offering substantial discounts for those who use their ferries to visit the show.
For more information visit www.ribexhibitions.co.uk
