Boat jumbles, a sign of the times?

[maby]

Whilst on the subject, has anybody been to Beaulieu boat jumble in the spring? Is it worth a journey?

We went there last year - mainly because we wanted to look round the house and the boat jumble entrance fee seemed to be better value than the official house entrance ticket. We didn't buy anything at the jumble, but there was a stand demonstrating the latest Raymarine radar and that convinced us - we spent several thousands upgrading the boat electronics a couple of months later.

 

[Pauly]

Went to Beaulieu year before last. Went with a couple of mates and had a great day. However, it seemed a lot of people were asking a lot of money for a lot of old tat. First time I went, about 5 years ago, I came home loaded to the gunwales with reasonably priced booty for the project I was working on at the time.

 

[ashtead]

Last one I was at was Netley a few years ago which seemed worth a trip but some are very small and disappointing IMHO but clearly bring pleasure to others however there never seems much to attract younger market. i imagine if new to cruising they have a certain attraction and do provide a useful venue to learn from others if you have the time but perhaps attraction fades with ones experience and somewhat more critical eye. I imagine it depends on what sector of boating market you operate in and type of vessel and sailing you prefer. Often looks like a Maine version of antiques roadshow though to me which might deter some.

 

[Neeves]

If you are young with a family, however old, you want a yacht that demands the minimum of attention, is easy to sail and comfortable to overnight. This to me defines the yacht as being an AWB. Do the jumbles (we don't have them in Oz - or I've never seen them) really cater for the very numerous AWBs

AWB no longer use unique components only used on that yacht - they rely on mass produced reliable components - most of which are quite cheap - or components that pass their use by date are completely useless (we have just replaced a Jabsco manual toilet pump out - it simply fell apart, why would I even think of looking for a second hand one). We break or need to replace the occasional block, we have had to replace a light lens - but basically anything else has to be renewed (after almost 20 years) - who would buy second hand dyneema for a halyard.

I'm not in the least surprised that younger owners are not there - jumbles simply do not cater for the younger owner - who wants to maximise his time with him family or his boat.

Jonathan

 

[ghostlymoron]

My recent experience of jumbles is of falling stall numbers and early closing down (before the advertised closing time). This doesn't encourage me to attend any more. I haven't been to Beaulieu though.

 

[maby]

My recent experience of jumbles is of falling stall numbers and early closing down (before the advertised closing time). This doesn't encourage me to attend any more. I haven't been to Beaulieu though.

Beaulieu is probably the exception - it's a nice place anyway and the jumble does not have to be particularly good to justify the day out.