By Tania Martin
AVONSLEIGH’S resident inventor Rex Francis has been named a boating hero for next month’s international boat show.
He is renowned in the boating industry for his passion for inventing marine products.
The Melbourne International Boat and Lifestyle Show promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
The show, which will be held at Docklands from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 February, will feature inventions by Mr Francis.
He is currently working on two new anchor designs that will be on display at the show.
Mr Francis now sells his inventions all over the world including to South Africa, Canada, Kuwait and the United Kingdom
But before his days as an inventor, Mr Francis ran a panel beating and mechanical repair business for 16 years.
It was during this time that he realised that many of the tools he used for panel beating weren’t capable of doing the job.
“Each time this happened, I took it upon myself to set about making something more practical and more importantly something that would do the job,” Mr Francis said.
“Designing tools was something that I found was more creative than the business I was running and I found my ideas came easily.”
Becoming an inventor, Mr Francis said went hand in hand with his passion for boating.
He said invention marine products seemed the logical next step for him.
Mr Francis said it was also a great family activity for him and his children.
“I have five children and as they got older I found that they had nothing to do in the school holidays, so I decided to buy a boat to take the kids away – it all stemmed from there,” he said.
Mr Francis has recently created a machine called the Tidal Anchor Test Skid (TATS) which is used to test anchors and ropes.
He said his invention has now proven itself to be far more efficient than pervious methods of testing.
“It’s also important to note that our new machine is the first of its kid world wide.”
Mr Francis said the boat show was a great way for any inventor showcase new products.
This year’s boat show will feature interactive water based activities for young and old including sailing a yacht or a Hawaiian canoes or riding on a motorboat.
There will also be plenty of entertainment, food and fashions on display.
The show is free to the public, except for admission into the marina exhibits which cost $10 for adults, $20 for families and $5 for concession cardholders.
Win tickets
The Mail is giving 10 lucky people the chance to win passes to the boat show. All readers have to do to enter is send in an envelope with their name, address and telephone number written on the back.
The competition will be drawn on Friday 25 January and the winners’ names will be printed in The Mail on Tuesday 29 January.
