LBS Weekend 10/11 Jan - Page 3

chrisallse · 10 January 2004, 21:25

Great picture

sticking with the old though..

Jonny Fuller · 10 January 2004, 21:27

Cheeky (old) bugger!

chrisallse · 10 January 2004, 21:33

I wont argue with that

Phil Davies · 10 January 2004, 21:44

Always good to put some faces to Ribnet user-names, primarily to convince yourself that you're not really a sad social misfit who spends long hours chatting with cyber-friends in internet chat rooms!

Ian (NWRibsters) made the trip down from Stockport with wife Debbie and with the help of mobile phones we effected a lunch time rendezvous at the Guiness bar with some of the Ribnet 'locals'. Pictured from left to right, by Ribnet user-name, are: Daniel, Jools, Ian, myself and Suzuki 416.

Ian · 10 January 2004, 21:54

Never seen 'myself' on the forum, who is he. Looks suspiciously like Phil (I made it this time) Davies!

It was good to meet up with some of the names on here. Met Charles later in the day as well.

Great show, and DM, prices weren't any different to those in Abersoch!

Phil Davies · 10 January 2004, 21:55

Ian has asked me to attach this photo of the new Suzuki 250hp V6 so everyone on Ribnet can see what his new engine looks like when he takes delivery of his new Prosport with aforementioned engine in March. That's just in case any of you had missed one of several dozen references made to it by Ian during the last six months, during which time of course he has not owned a RIB. I should also add that Jono is having two of these engines fitted to his soon to be built Prosport - just in case there are one or two individuals on Ribnet who hadn't heard that either.

Ian · 10 January 2004, 22:04

Not keen on the twin blade prop. But thank you for posting that Philip. I suggest you read, carefully and slowly, the PM I have just sent and then E-MAIL the photo to me as requested, not post it here!

I notice your local engine dealer in the background is making a suitable gesture in your direction. That'll make two of us next time we meet.

Jonny Fuller · 10 January 2004, 22:12

Was that engine parked in that bucket of beach sand by a south african.....at speed?

Phil Davies · 10 January 2004, 22:14

Stop press! The new Evinrude E-Tecs have finally arrived on these shores - well they will have by the end of January anyway. Importer Jets Marivent had the new 40, 50, 75 and 90 E-Techs on their stand and very well put together they looked too. Very pretty styling, particularly the 40/50hp models and very compact physical dimensions.

Strangely, the new 60hp has not been released yet, although it's probably safe to assume it's for 'technical' reasons. The 60 is the same block as the 40 and 50 and they all weigh 106kgs, which makes the 60's power to weight ratio extremely impressive! No scheduled dealer maintenance for 3 years and no running-in period, due to ultra high quality internal components apparently. Feedback from the recent European dealer launch in Spain and from Australia and the US, where the engines have been on the market since October, suggests that the E-Tech concept is a potent force to be reckoned with, although of course the real quality test will be a year or more down the line.

Ian · 10 January 2004, 22:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonny Fuller
Was that engine parked in that bucket of beach sand by a south african.....at speed?

No Jon, this was the bucket of pebbles that PD, on numerous occasions, put his foot in and rolled them all over the stand.

Just can't take him anywhere

Daniel · 10 January 2004, 22:19

Good to meet a few new faces - sorry i had to dash off. Shame i missed Charles, as it's a shame he is now missing from here.

Looks like there might even be a 'NW meets SW RIBster meet and jolly up the thames' which i'm looking forward to - although i think we will need a translater!

Anyway, see some of you on the 24th as well i hope.

bogib · 11 January 2004, 00:22

Look forward to be there on Wednesday or at the latest next Sunday (last day) of I have to reschedule my plans. Nice looking Suzuki same goes to Etech Evinrude, hopefully they performed better then the original FICHT which gave us huge problem when I was selling them before they got busted and acquired by Bombardier which are if not already completed selling of their RV division including SeaDoo and Johnson/Evinrude.

Alan Priddy · 11 January 2004, 10:43

But is the show worth going to? Apart from meeting up with friends for a drink, is there anything worth looking at?Alan P

Ian · 11 January 2004, 10:53

The best rib there, in my view, was the Cobra 10.5. A stunning looking boat. Most of the others were much the same as always but Avon had some smart smaller units on display.
The engine stands were good, and quiet, with the new models on display. Suzuki and Evinrudes were the most interesting, again my view only.
Superb venue for the show and seemed much bigger and spacious than Earls Court.
If you are there early enough there is car parking for £8/day or a ten minute Park & Ride with parking at £5/day. Nothing seemed overly expensive other than the food and drink.

John Kennett · 11 January 2004, 15:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan Priddy
Apart from meeting up with friends for a drink, is there anything worth looking at?

But why else would anyone go to the boat show?

Actually I was quite impressed, and wish I had allowed a bit more time there. There weren't loads of RIBs, but there were a few new ones on show. Some of them very "old school" though, and Ribtec were displaying an orange 455 that must have been state of the art about 15 years ago!

ExCel seems to be a great venue, and there were plenty of people there on Friday. It felt busier than I remember for a weekday in recent years, and that#s with everything more spread out.

John

Phil Davies · 11 January 2004, 16:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan Priddy
Apart from meeting up with friends for a drink, is there anything worth looking at?Alan P

Well, as stated in my post above, I would have thought that the launch of the world's largest four stroke engine by Suzuki and the introduction of a completely new direct injection two stroke technology (E-Tech) from Evinrude would have been worth a cursory glance, wouldn't you? What do you expect at a boat show taking place just six months on from Southampton - the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, herds of wilderbeest flowing majestically across the plain....?
Tell you what, why not cobble together £12 and go and have a look yourself.

John Kennett · 11 January 2004, 17:04

Whilst the introduction of newer, bigger, faster, shinier outboards may be an exciting prospect I really can't see the attraction of just looking at one in an exhibition hall. You obviously disagree!

Judging by the amount of buffalo wings consumed while I was there, any herd of wildebeest would have to watch their step . . .

John

Gnu wings anyone?

Manos · 11 January 2004, 18:29

Simmon sorry we missed you
I just saw your post about being in the LBS on Sun!!

Hightower · 11 January 2004, 18:53

Looking into beer glasses aside, did there seem to be many "show price specials" on offer?

I was hoping to pick up some electronic "bargains" next weekend.

What impresses most people at this years show?

Andy

Manos · 11 January 2004, 19:14

In my opinion it was not as good as when was at ErlsCourt and quite far to drive from Gloucestershire. No good bargains either