NickHarley
Member
Anybody else make it to the \"Festival of Power & Sail\" @ Port Solent?
Spent much of the Day at Port Solent - 'Festival of Power & Sail'. Anybody else make it down there?
Thing that struck me when I arrived was how quiet it was. Fairly small scale thing compared with other boatshows, and made more so by the fact that the Power & Sail parts were at different ends of the Marina, so spread out thinly.
So I started off thinking it wasn't a success - basically far too quiet... not unexpected during current economic climate. Used to go to Port Solent a lot years ago (days before Gunwharf), but its gone off radar.
Then I had a suprisingly good lunch.. good food for a chain, with a fantasic view over the Marina... and then I went for a wander around the boats in the show. No queues, no "You can't afford this" turned-up-noses (actually a lot of the boats were empty), and a few new boats (I didn't personally like the Moody Classic).
We also spent a certain amount of time sitting in the sun, having the odd beer in what felt like a Meditaranean Marina, and eventually going to watch a film in the Cinema. Best 'Boat Show' I've ever been to in many respects... the other half didn't moan once!
So two questions really. First is... is it daft holding a 'new' Boat Show (1st time they've had sail) in the current climate? Have to say I was suprised by the cost of some of the European boats (exchange rate alledgedly). The second question is my biggest puzzle... why aren't people going to it (even if they are just looking rather than buying)?!
Spent much of the Day at Port Solent - 'Festival of Power & Sail'. Anybody else make it down there?
Thing that struck me when I arrived was how quiet it was. Fairly small scale thing compared with other boatshows, and made more so by the fact that the Power & Sail parts were at different ends of the Marina, so spread out thinly.
So I started off thinking it wasn't a success - basically far too quiet... not unexpected during current economic climate. Used to go to Port Solent a lot years ago (days before Gunwharf), but its gone off radar.
Then I had a suprisingly good lunch.. good food for a chain, with a fantasic view over the Marina... and then I went for a wander around the boats in the show. No queues, no "You can't afford this" turned-up-noses (actually a lot of the boats were empty), and a few new boats (I didn't personally like the Moody Classic).
We also spent a certain amount of time sitting in the sun, having the odd beer in what felt like a Meditaranean Marina, and eventually going to watch a film in the Cinema. Best 'Boat Show' I've ever been to in many respects... the other half didn't moan once!
So two questions really. First is... is it daft holding a 'new' Boat Show (1st time they've had sail) in the current climate? Have to say I was suprised by the cost of some of the European boats (exchange rate alledgedly). The second question is my biggest puzzle... why aren't people going to it (even if they are just looking rather than buying)?!
