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Josh and Akis on the marine industry, and how they’re changing boat ownership for the better.

By Josh Chapman & Akis Zissis

Directors of Rib Shack Marine

Joint directors of Rib Shack Marine, Josh and Akis are lovers of the sea and want more people to experience life on the water.

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It’s commonly said that the best day of your life is the day you buy a boat, and the second best is when you sell it. Boat ownership is about to change. At least, that’s the plan for Josh and Akis.

After years in the marine industry, and extensive experience on boats, they’re ready to grow Rib Shack Marine’s shared boat ownership plan. All of the lifestyle, and fun, of boat ownership, without any of the hassle.

With a growing fleet and big ambitions, Josh and Akis are charting a course for a bright future.

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After meeting in 2021, Josh and Akis quickly realised there was an opportunity for them to partner up. Akis was running a RIB chartering business, hiring Josh as a skipper for trips over to the IOW and beyond.

The relationship continued to grow, and they were having regular conversations about working together – their business acumen, interests and ethics all aligned. Akis brought a boat from Colin, the previous owner of Rib Shack Marine, and added it to his charter fleet.

Their relationship continued to develop over time until Colin decided he wanted to retire and, ignoring offers from bigger companies, Akis and Josh to take over the operation.

"This is full boat ownership without any of the downsides. We take absolute care of every vessel, with weekly cleaning and preventative protection. We’re confident they’re the best looked-after boats in the Solent, maybe even beyond. The boats just look utterly pristine when you arrive, every time."

Buying a boat is expensive. And that’s just the start of the costs. Rib Shack’s ownership scheme lets owners buy a minimum 25% share in a new boat, and they take care of everything else to do with upkeep, location/relocation and management.

As an owner, you request the boat pick up, take the keys and go out onto the water. It’s ready and waiting for you, wherever you’d like it to be. A monthly management fee covers everything except for fuel, and when the boat is sold they split the sale cost back between the four owners.

Currently made up of 15 boats, made up of 4 ribs and 11 cabin boats, their fleet’s home port is Saxon Wharf, but they’ll move boats to ports across the South Coast on the owner’s behalf.

It always remains the owner’s boat, Josh and Akis are simply the caretakers.

"The thing about boats is they’re such an unnecessary luxury. Planes are much faster. Cars will get you from A to B cheaper and faster. Homes are better to invest in and raise families. And yet, people still love it, with a giant industry existing around them. When it’s so unnecessary and so crazy – it shows there’s something special about them. And it gives you a feeling that you can’t explain."

Rib Shack Marine is Josh and Akis’s main focus, but they also both have extra services they provide on the water.

Josh is a commercially endorsed professional skipper who is qualified for anything with a water line of 24m (90-100ft boat). He takes people out for charters, moves boats and takes them out on the water on behalf of their owners. He also provides familiarisation, guiding owners on their new purchase and how best to use it.

Akis is a professional skipper and runs his own RIB charter company, offering charter solutions based in both Southampton and Portsmouth. He provides both half and full-day chartering services out to the IOW, you can be collected from most marinas dotted around the Solent area. This service is especially popular with corporate clients, and he made a whopping 240 trips to (our favourite) The Hut last year.

Spark a conversation

Josh and Akis are passionate about the water, even on their days off.

Josh: “I love most things with an engine. But mainly boats and cars – I’m always happy to talk about those!”

Akis: “I’m usually found on the water, in it or under it. It helps me spend more time with family and friends, and it’s an opportunity to visit somewhere different and go whenever you want. No traffic, just total freedom.”

The best piece of business advice that’s helped you

Josh: “My dad always taught me that when he left school at 13, he discovered that it’s not what you know, but who you know. Follow something you love, and you’ll get to know people and then you’ll grow as a result.”

Akis: “I was employed for god knows how many years – and going self-employed was the best thing I ever did. When I’m out on the water, it doesn’t feel like work. You’re doing something for you, no one else. And you’re doing it because you love it. As a result, I’m still as passionate today as I was at the start of the journey.

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