Recession Hitting RIB Manufacturers Hard!

The economic downturn of recent years may be coming to an end, but it looks like it has hit the RIB market hard – with new RIB boats for sale now being offered in the sub one metre category! As these photos go to show, the slowdown in the economy has also hit the RNLI, who are now forced to use remote control RIBs to carry out rescues on the Thames!

These photos of RIBS were actually taken by a good friend of JBT Marine who saw them at Beale Park near Reading.

Beale Park is home to the Mid Thames Model Boat Club, one of the largest clubs in the South of England, with more than 100 members. A series of regattas are staged throughout the year with competitions devoted to yachts, Victoria, Fiesta and 1-Metre classes, though all types of sailing vessels are welcome in our handicap series. Club 500 racing is popular and well supported within the club with several race meetings per year.  Model boats powered by steam are becoming more popular and the club has boiler-testing facilities.