Visiting the FALCON factory and shop - Page 2

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:05

Under deck

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:07

I also did some driving in the country side. Distances there are huge and here are some photos of the place.
This is a gravel road going from WITSAND (pronounced VITSAND) to Swellendam. Streight is the operative word

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:08

..and some wild life. These I called wild chickens. They are every where and they can be leathal when they heat your car at any speed. 8kgs chickens

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:09

and Witasand. A very nice place

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:13

Well I just hope you enjoyed the little story.
And a photo of the national bird of South Africa. The Blue Crane

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:30

Before I finish Just forgot to show you the sundeck configuration (my patern by the way) on the 650SR

Manos · 09 March 2004, 11:34

Finally a big thank you the FALCON people for taking the time to show us around their factory and shop, explain how they build their boats and show us the very beautiful spot of the world that they live.

Photo os SWELLENDAM TOWN

Thanks

jwalker · 09 March 2004, 14:29

Credit where it's due, Manos. That is an interesting set of photos.

Manos · 09 March 2004, 14:38

Cheers JW

chrisallse · 09 March 2004, 18:43

Thanks very much Manos great pics and good to see where my boat was made.The Rib-X look good

Manos · 09 March 2004, 19:16

Cheers Chris. The factory looks very busy indeed.
Materials used are all imported from Europe but the price of the boats is low due to low labout costs.
To give you an example an unskilled workman (like the one who planes the transom) makes about ZAR 2,500 per month (they have a 45 hour working week) i.e. about £ 200.00.
This money though (although seems very little to us) it takes you a long way there because life is so cheap.
A 5 star restaurant bill for 2 that would had been over £200.00 here it was just over £ 35.00 there (4 course expenssive meal, 2 bottles of their most expenssive wine, various drinks etc) .
Is a great place to go for a holiday!! Will go there in the coming Christmas.

The Jackeens · 09 March 2004, 22:11

Deal

chrisallse · 11 March 2004, 02:04

Manos....can we take it from the lack of negative posts to your recent contributions that people are starting to realise Falcons are actually good boats?

Manos · 11 March 2004, 11:25

Yes Chris

It seems that although in this forum everyone (well almost everyone) was saying that they did not trust the FALCON boats, bad construction and all that rubbish before even have looked at a boat from close and the fact that RIB-X ordered 18 boats and that some people from Ireland have also been there too ordering boats I think whatever people (the so called 'EXPERTS') say here should be taken with VERY BIG PINCH OF SALT or better ignored.

In general it seemed to me that the boats are very well made.

Certain materials are used during construction that although they keep the weight down by far (380 kgs for a 7 mtr boat) they are as strong as anything you have seen so far. I was shown the technique and tested the material if it brakes or not and I can assure you it doesn't. But unfortunately I cannot say any more here as this is the product of FALCON's own research.

In fact a lot of the mods on the FALCON RIBs have evolved from their racing boat.

It was funny that when I was talking with Andre (the co-pilot) he said to me that 'Our job is to win a race but also to try and brake the boat for FALCON. So that FALCON can see the strengths and weaknesses and make the appropriate modifications on the production models'.

I think this statement sums it all up

Manos · 11 March 2004, 11:34

Quote:

Originally posted by The Jackeens
Deal

You are on. We are planning to reant a 4 bedroom house for 2 weeks for £200-£300 (I think). Will stay there is more or less in the middle of the intersting places that we can visit, right on the sea front, will have a boat hopefully and follow the TRANSAGULHAS RIB RACE for a few days, do some dune moto cross, Joanna will go horse riding for 3-4 days like a safari etc. Have to re-check just to make 100% sure.
PM me or email me if you are interested and want me to look for you too

batfalcon · 12 March 2004, 06:11

Since you do all the cost research, could you please tell me what's the cost of 4 air tickets from Greece to S. Africa?

Tom Bush · 14 March 2004, 15:36

Where is the report on a ride in their race Boat????

Manos · 15 March 2004, 20:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom BUsh
Where is the report on a ride in their race Boat????

AUSOME!!