12 -21 September 2008
The 2008 Southampton Boat Show celebrates its 40th anniversary! Running until 21 September the Show is simply the place to be to explore all the latest in sailing, boating and watersports. Boating and TV legends from the last four decades including Sir Robin Knox Johnston, Kate O’Mara, Lady Pippa Blake, Steve Curtis MBE and Dame Ellen MacArthur were in attendance to mark the Official Opening of the Show.

Renown round the world RIBster Alan Priddy brought along his 'Lively Lady', the famous sailing yacht of Sir Alec Rose, which Alan skippered around the world on his second circumnavigation with a crew of disadvantaged youngsters.

The RIB Scene
Some 40 RIB manufacturers and dealers were represented with those having the most interesting models and displays being:

•  Brigg UK
•  Ceasar Marine
•  Parker Ribs
•  Ribcraft
•  Revenger
•  Valiant

The show overall had very few new models launched, but those that did were Brig, a new Falcon 620 designed for semi-commercial and tough leisure activities, with options of either 1 x 150HP or twin 80HP outboards; Revenger with a magnificent 32ft sports cruiser; Avon with a 8.2m model to add to the Adventure range and Parker Ribs with their latest 900 Baltic, powered by twin Mercury Verado 300 outboards which sold on its first day.

Goldfish Ribs from Norway were presented with a trophy from Mike Lloyd (Round Britain 2008 Event Director) for being the fastest rib around the course.

The chit chat around the RIB fraternity was which RIB Dealers would survive the impending recession and which would tumble immediately after the show. We should all know soon enough I guess!

Power Up
The power boys were making quite a splash this year with new models from Suzuki, the next generation of light fourstroke and economical outboards. A trio of outboards 70, 80 & 90hp lightweights but big on power. See press release for full details.

Yamaha introduced two variants in their range. One a 250hp, the first Yamaha V6 outboard to be fitted with the Yamaha advanced digital electronic remote control system with electronic throttle and shift device. Since it requires no remote cables it is much easier to rig and install. The second, another V6, the 225hp F225C Sport variant making the existing V6 engine available for the first time in a long shaft size. See press release for details.

BRP Evinrude brought along their new 300hp E-TEC® for its first public display in the UK. Performance testing has shown that the 300 hp engine can deliver as much as 35-40 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 50 percent improvement in oil consumption when compared to traditional electronic fuel injection (EFI) models. See press release for full details.

Know Where UR Going?
Reeds Nautical Almanac, that tome of a publication and the bible of all leisure seafarers has gone electronic. Now you can access all the very latest info online at home/office, or your local marina, and if you carry a laptop buy a complete copy of Reeds all on a USB dongle! Everything found in the printed publication is available (albeit with the latest live updates). The online version retains the same look and feel content as that in the more traditional printed copy.

Take a look at www.reedsonline.com which has some useful free resources as well as the live subscription content. Reeds have put together some combined hardcopy and online deals that need some serious checking out.

Sept 2008