RIBCRAFTs on Display This Week at the New England Boat Show
We are excited to have two RIBCRAFTs be a part of the 2010 New England Boat Show in the booth of Boston based tour company, Flagship Adventures. Both the company’s fully outfitted 7.8 and 9.0 used for their water based events and tours will be displayed. The 7.8 and 9.0 are head turners at any show and on the water so we are thrilled that people will get a chance to climb aboard and check them out. Visitors can also learn more about the tours, scavenger hunts and team building events that Flagship Adventures offers aboard their fleet of RIBCRAFTs.
Flagship Adventures’ is located straight back from the main entrance in booth 2332. Click here for show times, directions and ticket information.
It was another great year at the Newport Boat Show. The 9.0 got lots of attention from adults and children alike. As soon as children spotted the multiple pod seats they immediately asked their parents if they could go aboard. As in past years the questions and conversations really showed how the knowledge base regarding RIBs has grown. There were fewer questions about what a RIB is and more conversations comparing features of various models and helping customers determine which RIB best fits their needs.
The weather was also the best we’ve had in years. Four days straight of sun and warm temperatures combined with attendees’ enthusiasm about RIBs made for a successful show. We are looking forward to next year.
Saturday’s Demo Day was a huge success! We had a great turnout with fire departments, tour companies and families in attendance. The weather was sunny and warm, making it an especially good day to be out on the water. Thanks to the beautiful weather the harbor was busy with recreational boaters, tankers and coast guard vessels all kicking up some good size wake during sea trials, which made it an even better platform to show just what a RIBCRAFT can really do! Attendees who took their first ride on a RIB all were impressed with a RIB’s capabilities and raved about its handling, stability and smooth dry ride. If you were unable to attend this past weekend, stay tuned...we are hoping to hold another Demo Day in the upcoming months.
Found a story in our local paper that is interesting. According to The Salem News, Marblehead resident Christopher Swain plans to swim all the way to Washington DC to make a statement about the environment and clean waters. He began his journey here in Marblehead last Wednesday and expects that it will take him about a year to complete. Click here for the full article and photo of Swain taking his first dive into the water while spectators watch aboard a RIBCRAFT.
The most recent leg of the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race came to a close Monday night for the PUMA team, with an overall standing of third place. The team sailed a total of 48,182 miles during their Boston to Boston journey. They achieved fourth place in the last leg, which was a 4,900 nautical mile course from Rio de Janeiro. Check out Flagship Adventure’s 7.8 along side il monstro on their website and on facebook.
Though it’s the dead of winter for those of us in the northern climates, January is a busy month for RIBCRAFT.
We start the month off at the National Sailing Programs Symposium (NSPS) in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 9th-13th. Hosted by US SAILING, this four day event is the pre-eminent sailing education conference in the country. The NSPS provides an excellent opportunity for sailing progams and industry to communicate, share ideas, and learn about pertinent issues in the sport. Having long recognized the needs of sailing programs and yacht clubs for commercial grade safety, coach, and mark boats, RIBCRAFT and US SAILING partnered in February of 2007 to create the US SAILING RIBCRAFT 15. This 15’ RIB, designed exclusively for yacht clubs, sailing programs and sailors alike, will be exhibited at the NSPS and available for demos. This boat is the only boat designed specifically as a coach and support boat.
Changing gears. For those of you looking to see the latest offerings in the RIBCRAFT line of Professional Grade RIBs, we invite you to visit us at The New England Boat Show January 12th-20th at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This is a great indoor show that provides us with a excellent opportunity to show off several of our most popular models.
Continuing on in our support of the sport of sailing, RIBCRAFT is a proud sponsor of the 2008 Rolex Miami OCR in Miami, Florida on January 27th- February 2nd. This regatta will host over 600 sailors in more than a dozen different classes. This has turned into one of the top regattas in the world.
It was a made to order day for RIBs; sunny, 70 degrees, 20-25 knots of breeze, and 3'-4' seas. Our RIB Rendez-Vous on Saturday was a great success and lots of fun. 10 RIBs gathered in Marblehead and en masse we headed out of the Harbor in a scene that Dan Tucker mentioned was reminiscent of Apocalypse Now.
As we made our way to Boston, a small craft advisory was issued and the area yacht clubs cancelled the day's sailboat races due to too much wind. The day was definitely a testament to RIBs. With the 3-4' waves and strong steady breeze, there wasn't one of us who were dry by the time we made it into Boston (less than 40 minutes I may add). As we sat and ate our picnic lunch at the Courageous Sailing Center in the heart of Boston Harbor, we all agreed that we couldn't wait to get back out there but couldn’t imagine doing the same thing in a hard sided boat!
After we ate and had a chance to dry off, we headed through the Charles River locks and up the Charles River to Boston University's boat house where we turned around and headed back. It was beautiful and so peaceful on the river that most of us forgot what was waiting for us on the other side of the locks (20+ knot winds and big wet seas). But after a great lunch and the re-charge on the river, the passage back to Marblehead was loads of fun (still wet, but can't beat a fun and exhilarating ride).
We had a great time on the water and are looking forward to another outing!
Take a look at some of the photos I've included below and enjoy!
Matthew Velluto (filling in for Fred)
All of us gathering at the Town Dock in Marblehead before venturing out.
Some of the RIB armada heading out of Marblehead Harbor.
Two RIBCRAFT 7.8's making their way up Boston Harbor (finally calm enough that I can take some pictures)
Having some lunch at Courageous Sailing Center in Boston Harbor
Here's the flotilla tied up at the Couragous Sailing Center after the first leg of the trip!
Quite a sight to see a bunch of RIBs all lined up in the locks - the Lock Operator had no idea what to make of it!
Today the United States Coast Guard celebrates 216 years of dedicated service to mariners here and around the world.
It all began on August 4, 1790 when Alexander Hamilton authorized the building of ten ships for the Revenue Cutter Service, the forbearer of today’s United States Coast Guard. In 1915 the Revenue Cutter Service and the Lifesaving Service merged into one organization to form the Coast Guard we know today.
The smallest of the five military armed service branches, the Coast Guard on an average day saves 15 lives, assists 114 people in distress, conducts 23 waterfront security inspections, and monitors the passing of 2557 commercial ships in and out of US ports. How did you spend your day today?
In recognition for all they do, we salute and say “Happy Birthday” to the United States Coast Guard. We are proud to build boats for you and wish you another 216 successful years.
905 miles and 82 hours after leaving Marblehead, Massachusetts, the Sears arrived safely last night at 7:30pm in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina aboard their 21’ RIBCRAFT 210. To give you an idea of the weather conditions they encounter for most of the trip, yesterday, the first day of decent weather, they covered 360 miles alone – almost as many miles as they covered the four previous days! After experiencing four days straight of strong winds, heavy seas, and driving rains, the only minor problems they encounter was a faulty transducer and an XM Radio system unable to pick up a signal (well, OK, maybe no XM does constitute a major problem). All in all, another successful trip for a RIB and a RIBCRAFT. What’s more – the Sears were able to raise a bunch of money for a great cause, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Massachusetts to North Carolina Aboard a RIBCRAFT 210
They’re off! With a light 2 knot breeze out of the Southeast and overcast skies, Kirk Sears and his wife Sylvia left Marblehead Harbor this morning aboard their new RIBCRAFT 210 (their 3rd RIBCRAFT) bound for Wilmington, North Carolina. With the winds predicted to build to 18 knots out of the South/ Southeast, the Sears anticipate arriving in Newport, RI this afternoon around 3:00pm. Why are they doing this you might ask? For the thrill and excitement for one, but more importantly, to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Today’s departure was in stark contrast to three years ago, when Kirk and his nephew left Marblehead on a RIBCRAFT 5.85 (his second) in the midst of a classic April Nor’Easter. They made great time, arriving in North Carolina in just under four days. The Sears’ route this year will be to head out of Marblehead, pass through the Cape Cod Canal into Buzzards Bay and then on down to Newport, RI. From Newport, they’ll head down Long Island Sound, pass by Manhattan and then on through the East River. They’ll head “offshore” off the coast of New Jersey and then make their way into the Chesapeake heading through Norfolk, VA and then home to Wrightsville Beach, NC on Sunday.
Check Back Later for an update – we’ll keep you posted on their progress.
If you have some free time and your private jet is fueled and ready to go (for those of us on this side of the pond), then you should jet on over to the Isle of Wight this weekend for the only boat show dedicated 100% to RIBs – RIBEX 2006 takes place May 12-14th in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
This is a great opportunity to see the latest in RIB design and to take advantage of a marina filled with RIBs awaiting sea trials. For those of us in the States who can’t make it to RIBEX, hopefully someday, we’ll have a show like this here.
"RIBCRAFT", "RIBCRAFT USA",
and "Rib
Craft" are trademarks of RIBCRAFT USA, LLC. Copyright 2005.
All Rights Reserved. RIBCRAFT USA reserves the right to change,
without notice, any pricing, materials, specifications, equipment
and/or accessories.
