The Southampton Boat Show is said to be the UK’s most prestigious boat show. Skua RIBs are a UK based RIB boat manufacturer and have documented their experiences as a first time exhibitor at the boat show in 2010.
Day 1
Well, how exciting. Our first boat show and we picked the best one. Our Super RIB is out in the Marina and the day kicks off with a Spitfire flying low between the masts. Quite a few visitors today, about 6 test drives with people interested in buying the boat – great start.
Met Theo Paphitis. We stalked him on the Williams stand and in the 4 seconds gap we had from when he left the stand to leaving the show we grabbed him and gave him our brochure. He commented how nice the boat looks and promised he would come and see it during the 10 days.
Day 2
The weekend is here. The press boys and girls have scattered now from Fridays press day (we think that all of the Champagne has gone). We actually didn’t see many pictures taken or words written…mmm.
Spent more time with one of our team on the South Coast, the guy that designed our hull. Basically it’s the same hull that he designed for the Hong Kong Police, Special Forces and MOD. IT gives superb speed with the stability needed for a pursuit boat. No wonder it handles like a dream.
Day 3 & 4
When we designed and built our Skua RB6, we knew we had a good RIB – the trouble is that we didn’t know how the market would take it. Three days in and people love it and it’s so good to see that all of our hard work is being appreciated. Serious Rib enthusiasts see it as something they have never seen or tried before and the smiles on their faces whenever they come back on from a test drive say it all – amazing feedback and the promise of many orders post-show.
Day 5 & 6
Windy today, the sky went black with what must be one of the biggest container ships we have ever seen – how do these things float?
Still, lots of people test driving the boat. Our RIB appeals to different people, we had a retired chap on the boat today who wants to use it as a luxury tender, whilst a young wake-boarding family fell in love with it and will be placing an order with us when they have sold one of our competitors boats that they only bought last year!
Day 7
Our legs are starting to ache now. Something to learn for next year – send someone else! Walked over to see Sunseeker – £12M boat on show, absolutely wonderful. They spoke to us earlier in the week about using our RIB as a tender on one of their client’s boats. They were impressed with how stylish our RIB is and couldn’t believe the top speed of 50mph, even in choppy conditions – our Rib is solid as a rock in those conditions.
Day 8
The last Friday of the show – and what a day it was. We sold an RB6 to a keen water skier, he was finding it difficult to get a RIB fast and steady enough to cope with British waters! The RIB was perfect for him, aluminium ski tower was also an added bonus for him!
Day 9
The sky has turned grey and the wind has picked up – a good day for the yachts who are out under sail. We put the RIBs iPod dock on and play some tunes so the sky is the only thing that is feeling grey.
Time for people to test drive the RIB, we did another 6 and everyone thought it was brilliant! A guy from a watersports club was not only impressed by the way the RIB drove, but also by the fact that you can choose the bow and upholstery colour – great for club events.
Day 10
The last day – time to take down the Skua flag and load the RB6 onto its road trailer and take it back home to Chesterfield.
The welcome our RIB has received is outstanding – the feedback and the look on people’s faces when they have stepped off the RB6 after test-driving it has made it all worthwhile, it is great to leave on such a high – we will certainly be back next year. The Skua RB6 has most definitely arrived in the UK RIB market.
