Bedtime reading

Nasher · 10 November 2004, 20:00

Hi all

Months ago I took out a subscription to RIB International, and I've been dissappointed each time its arrived, apart from maybe 1 article in each issue.
Such as the report about Kath and Fiona going around Ireland in Alan's boat.

Is there an alternative?, RIB int is 80% adverts for RIBs over £30K and has minimal practical advise or projects. I'm the sort of owner who does everything myself for an absolute minimum budget.
In a perverse sort of way I enjoy the building and problem solving almost as much as the boating and always have a project or two on the go to improve my RIB.

Practical Boat Owner is an absorbing read each month, but something similar leaning more towards RIBs or sports boats would be good.

Any recomendations would be helpful.

Nasher

Tim M · 10 November 2004, 20:02

I have to agree with you slightly; for the money (what is it - about £3 or so?!) there isn't all that much of interest.

I bought Boat-Mart a couple of time after getting a free copy at RIBex - that had lots of interesting stuff in it, as well as practicle projects (although not related directly to RIBs). It also had a free compass on one occasion!

Louise · 10 November 2004, 20:09

Can't make any recommendations, I'm afraid! I think the market place as it stands at the moment will only support one dedicated RIB magazine. That would mean any rival publisher would get engaged in a tussle for the lion's share of the market - at a high risk of losing one's investment I would think! Of that target audience, only a proportion (say 50%?) are interested in full-on DIY stuff. Having said that, a bit more practical advice would, I think, be a good thing. Have you e-mailed Hugo to tell him your thoughts?

crazydonkey · 10 November 2004, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Practical Boat Owner is an absorbing read each month, but something similar leaning more towards RIBs or sports boats would be good.

eeee lad, tha could spend £3.20 on a dozen grommits

Nasher · 10 November 2004, 20:24

Loiuse

Hi, haven't e-mailed the mag as I don't think what I'd like is their sort of thing.

I've just put it down to experiance that I've wasted my £18, or whatever it was for 6 issues.

Perhaps I should get together with Pete7 and start our own mag for the practical RIB owner, but I'd need to learn to spell.

Be interesting to hear from Hugo how many subscribtions are renewed.

Nasher

Louise · 10 November 2004, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Loiuse

Hi, haven't e-mailed the mag as I don't think what I'd like is their sort of thing.

You don't know until you try!!!

Quote:

Perhaps I should get together with Pete7 and start our own mag for the practical RIB owner, but I'd need to learn to spell.

Good idea! Now all you need is a computer, printing press and a method of distribution! I'll do your proof-reading (for a modest fee, of course!)

Rogue Wave · 10 November 2004, 20:32

The other way to do it is to petition the magazine who's format we are interested in to do more for our type of Boating. i.e petition PBO to do some rib stuff. whre do I sign

ashbypower · 10 November 2004, 20:35

Could be PRO Practical RIB Owner, as a number on this Forum get involved with the "Mechanics" of RIN ownership!!

Brian

tcwozere · 10 November 2004, 20:37

Have you seen SportsBoat and Rib Magazine.. clicky thing. It's slightly thicker than Rib International, and if that isn't a recommendation, I dunno what is..

Louise · 10 November 2004, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

Have you seen SportsBoat and Rib Magazine.. clicky thing. It's slightly thicker than Rib International, and if that isn't a recommendation, I dunno what is..

Sorry to disagree but IMHO Sportsboat & RIB is less interesting/relevant than RIB International! Can't remember seeing much practical stuff there! (But some nice ads for humungous Sunseekers

)

The Jackeens · 10 November 2004, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Hi all

Months ago I took out a subscription to RIB International, and I've been dissappointed each time its arrived, apart from maybe 1 article in each issue.
Such as the report about Kath and Fiona going around Ireland in Alan's boat.

Cheers Simon

Glad you liked it.

missus

Nasher · 10 November 2004, 20:57

I can do the computer, and have the printing industry connections, but would struggle with time for marketing etc.

I'll consider a Club type newsletter thing as a start in the new year.

Just had a look at the info board next to the editorial in the latest issue of RIB int.

Hugo "Montgomery-Swan", the editor is supported by amongst others:-

Tony Lee-Elliott, Ex Flatacraft and my all round hero of RIB development.

And Simon Everett, who once turned up at my house to Photograph my Motorbike for its feature in Streetfighters magazine, another good guy.

So its surprising the content doesn't turn me on.

Nasher.

Louise · 10 November 2004, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

would struggle with time for marketing etc.

I've got plenty of that - some would say too much! So if you need a hand with writing, proof-reading, layout etc I'll have a go. As for marketing, I don't have any experience but would be willing to have a go at that too!

Let's do it!

Richard B · 10 November 2004, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Hi, haven't e-mailed the mag as I don't think what I'd like is their sort of thing...I've just put it down to experiance that I've wasted my £18

Don't give up. Two years ago we had a real go a Hugo - and I mean a real go!
RIB International had deteriorated in quality, and was in danger of becoming a cross between Hello Magazine and Car Magazine (eg. The Montgomery-Swanns take the New Range Rover to Brittany for a long weekind - read about what a lovely time they had...) and much of the rest of the magazine was shameless advertorials - pointed out to the less streetwise amongst us (like me!) by a former publisher.
Anyway, after our major whinge, the car reviews were dropped, the advertorials were presented in a better way, and there was a huge increase in contributions by "grass roots" RIBsters - notably Keith Hart whose exploits filled some quality column inches.

Do a search on "RIB International" here on RIBnet - it gets interesting on page 7 of the search results... the original whinge thread is here: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....+international
John Kennett did an interesting poll: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....+international
and Hugo did some earlier stuff here: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....+international

Richard B · 10 November 2004, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Hugo "Montgomery-Swan", the editor is supported by...

You've missed RIB International contributor numnero uno... Paul Lemmer.

Nasher · 10 November 2004, 21:15

No offence, and excuse my ignorance, but who's Paul Lemmer?

Nasher.

Richard B · 10 November 2004, 21:18

Where shall I start?

Rogue Wave · 10 November 2004, 21:22

Paul Lemmer is a guy that's been around Ribbing for a long time. He used to own BWM and now runs a couple of boat related companies. I know he is an Agent for Parker ribs.

I think he races (navigates) in a Bannana shark called Maverick , he is not universally recognised as being lucky on the water

Richard B · 10 November 2004, 21:26

I think he's had more recent success in Eraser II than in Bananashark I

As Stu says, not associated with the best of luck - hence the phrase "Lemmerised".

Possibly now the only UK dealer for Parker RIBs!

Pete7 · 10 November 2004, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

he is not universally recognised as being lucky on the water

Nasher lets put it this way, I have seen Paul break more boats than Rogue Wave

and some of them he was just a passenger

Nice chap just don't let him near your boat. some wit once say don't ever take his advice even in dire circumstances as the cost of sorting out his assistance will invariably cost twice what the original problem would have done,

However great chap and a wealth of experience and amusing stories, put him along side tony Lee-Elliott as one of the original nice guys in ribs.

Pete