Best chandler on the Thames??

Steve_Jones

Steve_Jones

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Morning guys!

I'm working on a new business project which is an entertainment system (tv, movies, music etc.) designed for boats. I'm not going to give further details here as I don't want to break the forum rules regarding advertising. What I would like to know is where do the Thames forumites feel are the best chandlers on the Thames? I'm looking for somewhere that sells quality products and has a decent 'showroom'. We are going to be retailing the product online and through a chain of dealers including chandlers. I'm based in Reading but will consider any location on the Thames.

Thanks!
 
Have to say the amount of bits I've bought in chandlers on the Thames in the last 10 years I could count on one hand, Shepperton sticks in the mind as quite good.

I Don't think any new product would get much exposure in a chandlers it would have to be avaliable online which is where I buy 99% of the stuff I need.
 
Shepperton seems to have the most electrical toys. But if I was buying something of that value I would shop online first to see if I could get it cheaper.
 
Have I missed something here ???

I thought a boat WAS an entertainment system.

If you need to bring a home cinema with you perhaps you have the wrong hobby ?
 
'Entertaiment System?'

We had a two week trip on the boat in August - never had the television on the whole time (great !!) and only listened to the radio first thing in the morning for the news and forecast.
The last thing I would want is an 'entertainment system' when enjoying the peace and quiet of the river, and I abhor having to listen to other folks who seem to want to share their music etc. with the whole world !
But then I'm just an old dinosaur.
 
We had a small black and white tv onboard and during the first 7 years of owning the boat, only used it once or twice during the winter months, when f1 was on. then when we went digital i bought a new 10 inch combi for the boat. its been to the boat twice in 3 years, and now spends its time at home.
So for a saily boat not much chance of selling many, but for the power hungary mobos with all there gadgets, they need something to do whilst scrubing up there boats in the marina, whilst comtemplating the fuel prices.
 
Lindon Lewis at shepperton has the best show area for marine electronics, including a (very small) area for marine stereos and tv's. Have to echo others comments in that the www is the place to sell this stuff, possibly with a stand at the boatshows to promote your kit. Incidentally, my mobo has satellite tv and bespoke audio system (10 speakers inc subs and amps) so there is a market - you're probably looking at the higher end boats tho for these sort of toys. And no, I don't go booming down the river! It's off when we're out, but I enjoy music so see no reason not to listen to a high quality reproduction when I'm on my home mooring!!
 
I think the chandlery at Harleyford is pretty good, stocks a lot of stuff that others dont.

Not so sure about audio visual stuff though, think you might struggle there.
 
I'm not a wathcer of films etc on the boat but have three kids who do:- thay would be happy with such, but are justn as happy with their DS and similar. At present they would be keener on getting the X box running aboard. SWMBO and I would play LOTRO in the evenings if we had the laptops to do it and a reliable wireless connection, which isn't too likely!

Beyond that, I'll echo the remarks on Shepperton for electronics, and those on my frequency of visiitng chandleries. This year I have bought a bit of hose and a door fastener, soe rope for the ends box and a couple of light bulbs. Everything else online.
 
Thanks everyone for some really useful feedback and suggestions. Personally I agree that a boat is entertainment enough, but larger mobo's with families and live aboards on inland waterways are my target market. The system is also being very well received by motor home retailers so the marine market is not neccessarily the main focus.

Thanks again!
 
Loggo said:
Have I missed something here ???

I thought a boat WAS an entertainment system.

If you need to bring a home cinema with you perhaps you have the wrong hobby ?
Click to expand...

Well I think I've got the right hobby :) I suppose boating can be the equivalent of becoming a hermit on a remote Scottish isle if thats what you want, everyone to their own.
 
Steve_Jones said:
Thanks everyone for some really useful feedback and suggestions. Personally I agree that a boat is entertainment enough, but larger mobo's with families and live aboards on inland waterways are my target market. The system is also being very well received by motor home retailers so the marine market is not necessarily the main focus.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

If you're looking for liveaboards / inland waterways, then methinks Thames Chandlers are not for you - it's a very short season and both Harleyford and Shepperton only survive by virtue of their captive market. I suspect that neither of these could devote shelf space for high end kit.

If you want inland waterways, then Midland Chandlers have good display space - but they're pretty sharp...
 
Having called in at most of the chandleries on the non-tidal Thames for various items, I would say that Sheridan Marine at Moulsford has the best range. You could spend hours in there buying shiny items that you may not really need, but would come in very handy. Kingcraft at Abingdon comes a close second.

PS Having read Steve's original post again. I guess neither of the above can be said to have anything in the way of a 'showroom' as such - Sheridan, in particular, is more like an Aladdin's cave; but I leave this post in, for what it's worth!
 
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When we had our boat built (to live on) I would have paid a fair price to have an all singing all dancing system (telly,satelite,music etc) but the builder did not know of a decent system so we haven't got one :mad: As it was they weren't that helpfull and have since gone bust.
Maybe the OP could market himself at, say, Beale Park or any of the other inland waterway shows. :D

E
 
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