Size of RIB world

[brucehawsker]

{Curious}

How big is the UK market for recreational RIBs? How many non commercial (ie exclude lifeboats, oil industry, police, military, other industrial, training schools, salinig schools etc) ribs are sold each year?

How is that non commercial market broken down?

By size? Are 6.5M the most popular? Or that urban myth?

By manufacturers? Who are the big boys in the non-commercial markets?

By age? How many ribs in recreational use are more than 5 years old, or lie in any other age segment?

Is the annual new market expanding? Who is increasing market share?

Where are most RIBs located?

{end Curious, starting to Rant}

Who is championing this product to the unconverted - current yachties and dinghy owners, hard speed boat owners, and the unwashed - those who think a boat, any boat - is either £50,000+ or is a pain which you need to spend ages learning how to get the sails to go up?

Why are RIBs not in the lifestyle pages of the Telegraph Magazine or T3 or FHM?

{full steam a-Rant} Is it that we are all too old, too focussed on the exploits of our little rather, if you will forgive me, cliquish world?

A rib is amazing fun. A really well equipped one which can be a real challenge and bonding experience for parents and teenagers can be bought for in the region of £20-£30,000 all in.

Why is the RIB 'industry' not shouting from the roof tops?

{end Rant}

[codprawn]

I think the RIB market is a lot bigger than it used to be - the biggest untapped market of them all is the USA - with the likes of the Zodiac CZ7 - a fairly normal RIB Hummerised and then way overpriced - the USA market is likely to take off big style.

I will bet that once the US market takes off and RIBS are seen as glamorous then the UK market will follow suit - despite the fact we invented/developed the bloody things!

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by codprawn

once the US market takes off and RIBS are seen as glamorous

You're avin a laugh!

Ribs are extremely practial, inherantly safe, and clearly very popular, ...but glamorous!

[The Jackeens]

For sure Zebedee ain't glamorous
But we ain't either

Fun, yes....Zeb is loads and loads of fun. Looks like you adore your new boat Bruce

missus

[brucehawsker]

Sorry for last night rant. Red wine and frustration

I just think that the market potential is huge. And yet we have these cottage industry manufacturers catering primarily to the already converted bod who is already a RIB enthusiast, fighting between themselves for a share of a relatively small cake.

Why doesn't someone take their head out of the sand and recognise that the issue is not whether my rib is a small variant of a Tohatsu, or my 'V' is deeper than your 'V', or mine looks more industrial than yours, or mine would cope going round the Bill in Force 7 and yours wouldn't, or even mine goes 3k faster than yours - and yes I plead guilty to an unhealthy interest in those intellectual masturbations, if you will forgive me the expression.

The issue is that it is possible to create and market perhaps three mass market ribs, which between them (without much (any) modification) would meet the needs of 95% of newbie RIB purchasers.

Combine these with a marketing package which includes a comprehensive FAQ ranging from how / where to store / launch a rib, how to get trainnig, how to register.........

Obtain deals with fuel suppliers, favoured marinas.....

And go out and flog the damn things to an unsuspecting public - and they are unsuspecting!

My guess is that three products would be:

6.5M with six jockeys
6M with bench and four jockeys
5.5M with bench and two jockeys

Small range of colours

One engine per product.

No choices, no decisions to make, and a stock held somewhere ready for the January Boat Show......

Am I mad?

Well, I know I am, but in this particular aspect am I mad?

[Jono]

Err.. Bruce? .....Over here...

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/broker/PBS001

[brucehawsker]

Shaekspeare or

Shakespeare


I mean like Mercedes or Merecdes

or BMW or BWM

Seriously, how many varaints are you marketing?

When are you getting advertorial in the Telegraph magazine?

Can I have one as a package in a Southamptpn marina on 20th March (with no delays!) which you arrange for me, with a pre-paid and arranged PB II for me and missus on 21st and 22nd, an offer of two nights in the 5* hotel De Vere in Southampton, with no decisions except which colour tubes to make, I put 10% down now. you send me a portfolio of photos for Christmas Tree, I don't hear from you except get a bill for 50% in early January, and bring my bankers draft to you when I meet you for the first time on 20th March.

No hassle, like buying a car.

Do you see the idea?

[brucehawsker]

The 620 looks really good, but that is not the point if I am Mr and Mrs 'never heard of a RIB' in Milton Keynes....

[Jono]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Shaekspeare or

Shakespeare


I mean like Mercedes or Merecdes

or BMW or BWM

Seriously, how many varaints are you marketing?

When are you getting advertorial in the Telegraph magazine?

Can I have one as a package in a Southamptpn marina on 20th March (with no delays!) which you arrange for me, with a pre-paid and arranged PB II for me and missus on 21st and 22nd, an offer of two nights in the 5* hotel De Vere in Southampton, with no decisions except which colour tubes to make, I put 10% down now. you send me a portfolio of photos for Christmas Tree, I don't hear from you except get a bill for 50% in early January, and bring my bankers draft to you when I meet you for the first time on 20th March.

No hassle, like buying a car.

Do you see the idea?

Damn that spell checker... ... and the answer is yes and it's a Suzuki 115 on the 620 ...and your payment terms are acceptable... and the course will be from Saxon Wharf... and a bankers draft made out to professional boat sales ltd willl be acceptable......but we use the Travel Inn...

[Jono]

Spelling errors corrected, thanks Bruce.......Oh...and if you live in Milton Keynes?...... bad luck.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Jonny Fuller

Ribs are extremely practial, inherantly safe, and clearly very popular, .....

JF, someone's hacked into yer computer!

[Searider]

Originally Posted by Jono

Err.. Bruce? .....Over here...

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/broker/PBS001

Hi Jono,

Looks like the packages are available from you, and others, as Bruce has suggested but his other point about marketing is fantastically illustrated by your link - It is to a dedicated boat sales website.

The new punter with £30K sat in his bank account not knowing that he wants a boat will never find boatsandoutboards instead of adverts for TVR / golf clubs / holidays etc.

I think that his suggestion of marketing through lifestyle type magazines could be worthwhile - unfortunately the cost is likely to make it prohibitive to anyone but a manufacturer.

How many of the trade members on here advertise in publications not connected to their industry?

I have a client with a large ish charter boat in Greece. The vast majority of his charters come as a result of advertising in Country Life and The Field - not from Motor Boat and Yachting.

I know of one yacht broker who advertises in a pilots magazine - pilots also like to sail and have lots of money!

I can't think of an alternative market of potential RIB buyers at the moment but maybe a bit of sideways thinking is worth a try?


Regards

[Rogue Wave]

I do advertise in non boat related publications and it's beginning to work! I think it's called horizontal marketing. I must give you a call Bruce

[Jono]

Searider/duncan,

Yes, I understand your point exactly. Have a mate here, who has offered to let us park one of our boats in one of his shopping centres. That oughta do it....

[Louise]

Originally Posted by Jono

park one of our boats in one of his shopping centres.

Would I get Nectar points if I bought one?

Seriously though, that sounds like a great opportunity. Care to tell us which shopping centre?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I do advertise in non boat related publications...

I think you might be limiting your market, Stu. Some shorter customers may not be able to reach the top shelf

[Rogue Wave]

[brucehawsker]

How about selling one in a 4x4 dealership. Or a Triumph shop?

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

..Or a Triumph shop?

Are you well versed in ladies underwear?

[Searider]

How about taking a boat to the Goodwood Festival of speed - I think that Sunseeker or Hunton have done this.