david_e
Active member
Thanks to all who posted through last week. Arrived at EC with my wife for our first
show in 16 years at 10.00am on Saturday, left at 19.05 - exhausted but exhilarated!
A few observations;
It was very busy but managed to see lots and speak to many people.
Found nearly all the staff very pleasant and most of them quite knowledgeable. Our
main reason for going was to look at a wide variety of boats and get more experience of different manufacturers approaches etc to design and build quality.
Looked at Sweden Yachts 40 something, very nice would love one, guy on board said not sold any though. Farr 50 something, impressive and huge, not sold any yet but they only sell 10 a year at about £800k a throw. Hallberg Rassy 43, very impressive build, not sold any at the show but if you want one then the next delivery is Nov 2003! J 109, First 36.7, X332, Elan 333, all nice but out of my reach!
Best boat; for us it was the Swan 45, the concept of a fast, sporty crusier appeals and as Swan say this boat adopts a radical approach. Booked an appointment at 11.00 and got one of the last slots at 18.30! Had read about the boat in
YW but actually seeing it's lines etc in the flesh was something else. The quality of the build quality was superb, e.g. the boat on show has been on the water for quite some time but looked as though it had just left the factory. The chaps on board gave a great review of why the boat is so good and their experiences of sailing it. Is it worth £345k? No idea, but they reckon they will have sold 3 in the UK this year (it'll be 4 if my numbers come up)
Most surprising boat; Was the Maxi 1100, I blagged my way on by saying a life long
friend has just bought one (sorry Bill!). What surprised was the layout, quality of
design but in particular the powerful rig which gives it great performance range. Didn't ask if they had sold any.
Biggest disapointment; Hunter Boats, don't doubt the integrity or quality of these boats but, presented as they were, they just did not inspire us to goon board.
Best value; Has to be the Bavaria's. Looked at the the 32, £45k on the water,
not a boat for us but it is cavernous inside and the quality looked OK. "How many
have you sold this week?" reply "120, mainly Bavarias', but we need to sell more to
reach our target, would you like to buy one?" "Thanks, but no thanks".
Most interesting discovery; The EYB Internet brokerage operated by Ben/Jen. The
difference in price for many used/nearly new boats in Europe compared to the UK is staggering. Will be looking at this in more detail.
Biggest relief; finding a table at Pizza Express at 17.30, legs were going by now!
Best stand/site; has to be the Sunseeker Palace, amazingly impressive, looked like a boating Palace with boats all the way up to heaven!
Apologies to; Coliholic, sorry Col didn't get time to go on board anything decent,
mainly 'cause of the queues, see your point though.
Purchases; Subscription to YM, saving up for next boat!
Despite all the fuss about trains at the moment, ours left and arrived on the nail both ways, well done GNER!
show in 16 years at 10.00am on Saturday, left at 19.05 - exhausted but exhilarated!
A few observations;
It was very busy but managed to see lots and speak to many people.
Found nearly all the staff very pleasant and most of them quite knowledgeable. Our
main reason for going was to look at a wide variety of boats and get more experience of different manufacturers approaches etc to design and build quality.
Looked at Sweden Yachts 40 something, very nice would love one, guy on board said not sold any though. Farr 50 something, impressive and huge, not sold any yet but they only sell 10 a year at about £800k a throw. Hallberg Rassy 43, very impressive build, not sold any at the show but if you want one then the next delivery is Nov 2003! J 109, First 36.7, X332, Elan 333, all nice but out of my reach!
Best boat; for us it was the Swan 45, the concept of a fast, sporty crusier appeals and as Swan say this boat adopts a radical approach. Booked an appointment at 11.00 and got one of the last slots at 18.30! Had read about the boat in
YW but actually seeing it's lines etc in the flesh was something else. The quality of the build quality was superb, e.g. the boat on show has been on the water for quite some time but looked as though it had just left the factory. The chaps on board gave a great review of why the boat is so good and their experiences of sailing it. Is it worth £345k? No idea, but they reckon they will have sold 3 in the UK this year (it'll be 4 if my numbers come up)
Most surprising boat; Was the Maxi 1100, I blagged my way on by saying a life long
friend has just bought one (sorry Bill!). What surprised was the layout, quality of
design but in particular the powerful rig which gives it great performance range. Didn't ask if they had sold any.
Biggest disapointment; Hunter Boats, don't doubt the integrity or quality of these boats but, presented as they were, they just did not inspire us to goon board.
Best value; Has to be the Bavaria's. Looked at the the 32, £45k on the water,
not a boat for us but it is cavernous inside and the quality looked OK. "How many
have you sold this week?" reply "120, mainly Bavarias', but we need to sell more to
reach our target, would you like to buy one?" "Thanks, but no thanks".
Most interesting discovery; The EYB Internet brokerage operated by Ben/Jen. The
difference in price for many used/nearly new boats in Europe compared to the UK is staggering. Will be looking at this in more detail.
Biggest relief; finding a table at Pizza Express at 17.30, legs were going by now!
Best stand/site; has to be the Sunseeker Palace, amazingly impressive, looked like a boating Palace with boats all the way up to heaven!
Apologies to; Coliholic, sorry Col didn't get time to go on board anything decent,
mainly 'cause of the queues, see your point though.
Purchases; Subscription to YM, saving up for next boat!
Despite all the fuss about trains at the moment, ours left and arrived on the nail both ways, well done GNER!
