The brokers and the Boatshed HQ Team were invited to a demo day at the Rib-X Demo Centre based on Hayling Island, Hampshire.

The range of Rib-X ribs designed and built are used for recreational use, commercial use, superyacht tenders and SOLAS safety boats. They are all hand crafted,tailor made and built to order in the UK. Boatshed is proud to be associated with Rib-X and their new boats are available to purchase through Boatshed.

It was great to see brokers from Boatshed Chichester, Boatshed Portsmouth, Boatshed Thames, Boatshed Brighton, Boatshed Plymouth Boatshed IOW, Boatshed Palma and a few of the HQ team to throw into the mix.

The day was all planned out:

  • Arrive for tea / coffee and pastries
  • Introduction to Rib-X
  • Tour of the showroom
  • Demo of the Rib-X eXplorer 450, eXplorer 535 and eXplorer 760
  • Return to the Demo Centre for late lunch

David and Kevin Mowatt, who are also agents for Boatshed Hayling Island, gave us a great presentation and introduction to the history of Rib-X and the range of boats they sell. These British built ribs are made to order so there is a selection of tube colours, flooring, layouts – whatever design you have in mind they will do their best to build it. You can also be involved in the build process by laying the first piece of fibreglass or even having your hand print in the mould to give that extra personalised touch!

Of course as part of the demo day we had to try the ribs out - it's a tough job but someone's got to do it!

The demo centre is based at Northney Marina, Hayling Island and as it was high water in the morning we were able to circumnavigate the island as part of our demo. Turning to Port out of the Marina we headed under Langstone Bridge and down Langstone Harbour to the open sea (The Solent!) along the sea front at Hayling Island and back in through Chichester Harbour back to Northney.

It was a sunny day and there was a good breeze as we headed out into the Solent so the ribs were tested with some good waves and amazingly, these are pretty dry ribs! We were able to test drive each of them and get a feel for what they are really like. The Rib-X eXplorer 450 offers great fun - it's a real pocket rocket, the Rib-X eXplorer 535 gives you a bit more comfort and is easy to handle and the Rib-X eXplorer 760 was perfect for chopped seas.

Looking windswept and interesting we headed back to Northney for a well deserved lunch at The View Cafe. The smiles around the table proved it had been a great day and of course all in the name of research!

For more information about the Rib-X ribs head to our New Boats page:
http://www.boatshed.com/new-boats-for-sale/ribx/

So you may be asking is owning a rib any fun? Watch this video and make up your own mind.........