San Diego Boatshow

limeydal · 08 January 2006, 21:50

checked out the San Diego boatshow this weekend and a poor turnout of Ribs

Mainly cater to the dingy and tender market here with only one boat that could be considered a "primary" boat.
The model shown is the A20 sport RIB with a 50 gallon under deck tank /leaning post/console with jump seat
Made by Apex, it appeared well made but a couple of features I didnt like.
Inside was so much fibreglass moulding that it gave the boat a "plasticky" feel especially being all white! The offset steering console did open up the boat and gave easy access to the bow.
Also the "lifeline" is replaced with a flat looped design that I think would wear quickly.
Interesting when the salesman assured me it would do 60MPH with the 115 yamaha and seem quite upset when I disagreed!

All up price with trailer- just under $30,000

cheers Dal

Manny · 10 January 2006, 10:03

Dal,

Serious question. Did you get to see Twiggy water skiing? I didn't attend this year as I knew it would be like you described, no real ribs. At a previous show I did see a rib like boat shown below.

donutsina911 · 10 January 2006, 10:11

seems fairly good value (£16k?)

limeydal · 10 January 2006, 22:33

Manny,
yes Twiggy was there again! By the way, nice shot of her /him/it

I was in two minds whether to bother due to the lack of Ribs and abundance of bright/plasticky/chrome laden floating stereo sets.
Zodiac had a pathetic showing with no ribs. A couple of smaller tender builders turned up and the Apex line were the only real ones who bothered.
However I went, as the dealer who supplied/services my Suzuki was there and also the trailer builder.
Also the Maritime museum who I have done some photography for were there and the Port authority who I wanted to hit up for some info.
So not too bad.
cheers Dal