Dates already confirmed for next year
With extensive press coverage, including from national TV, around 5,100 people came to Cowes on the Isle of Wight to the Suzuki sponsored RIBEX event.
The organisers are billing the 2008 event the “world’s most successful specialist powerboat show”, dedicated entirely to the RIB market.
The three day show, which saw nearly 200 visiting craft coming by sea, was blessed with glorious sunshine.
More than 60 RIBs were being exhibited within the event marina itself – all available for sea trialling.
Among them there were at least a dozen models afloat making their world debut.
These included the mighty Suzuki 300hp quadruple outboard-powered 13m metre Austech RIB, Avon’s new 8.50 Adventure, the competitively priced 8m Capelli Tempest Cabin RIB from Italy, the luxurious Arctic Blue 37 Cabin RIB from Norway, the new 10m cabin RIB ‘Sting’ from Scorpion, and the very first flybridge 11m Cabin RIB from Irish boat builder Redbay Boats.
Organisers said: “At one point on the Saturday afternoon of the show, the pontoons were becoming so full that we were at the point of restricting access to the marina in order to limit the numbers of people wanting to board the vessels on display.
“Ashore, within the tented village, BRP were celebrating their 100th birthday and the invention of the outboard by Mr Evinrude himself!
“The company’s huge artic display truck was adorned with the very latest in all-terrain vehicles, jet skis, RIBs and outboards.
“In addition, Yamaha, Honda, Cummins and Suzuki were all displaying a superb line-up of motors that represent the very latest in outboard and inboard marine power.
“Several engines were making their very first debut on the water for the public to trial.”
The show moved between venues on the South Coast in its early years but the organising team said: “Without exception everyone furthered their business and made sales which resulted in a unanimous decision on the part of all the companies exhibiting at this year’s show to keep the show in Cowes as a permanent second weekend in May fixture for all forthcoming years.”
Next year’s show dates are confirmed as Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2009 at Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of Wight.
