Boat Life 2023

[harvey38]

Spent an enjoyable three hours mooching around the NEC this afternoon. Bought an air cooler for £279 as SWMBO thought it would be good idea to keep us and the cat cool, a 15m throw line for £20 and made enquiries about solar charging.

Forgot to mention there were some inflatable tenders being sold at very good prices, I was looking at a 2.6M SIB for £499 and since getting home, really regretting not buying one

Not a bad day out

 

[JOHNPEET]

Yep, I also spent a similar amount of time at the Boat Life show and sorted a few things out. The only downer on the day was the realisation of having to pay £16.95 on the way out for parking! First time I’ve ever had to pay for parking there!

 

[Neeves]

Spent an enjoyable three hours mooching around the NEC this afternoon. Bought an air cooler for £279 as SWMBO thought it would be good idea to keep us and the cat cool, a 15m throw line for £20 and made enquiries about solar charging.

Not a bad day out

What's an air cooler? is that what we call airconditioning or AC or even A/C.

If AC or A/C we have never needed it in Sydney but Fiji is humid - global warming is a menace.

Jonathan

 

[harvey38]

Yep, I also spent a similar amount of time at the Boat Life show and sorted a few things out. The only downer on the day was the realisation of having to pay £16.95 on the way out for parking! First time I’ve ever had to pay for parking there!

Yes, a bit steep to say the least

 

[harvey38]

What's an air cooler? is that what we call airconditioning or AC or even A/C.

If AC or A/C we have never needed it in Sydney but Fiji is humid - global warming is a menace.

Jonathan

It's a small 240/12v, twin motor fan unit with a filter and water reservoir, the evaporated water cools the air as it exits the unit so not an air conditioner in the traditional sense. Not cheap at all considering the very basic concept and compared to other similar units but positive reports from those who have them.

 

[Hot Property]

Anyone going to boat life show by car will be charged for parking at the NEC at £16.95

Parking at the NEC

This link gives £5 discount if booked before the day you visit....

 

[MikeCC]

There are websites that offer parking at the hotels near NEC. Cost me £4 last year I think. You don't get the bus ride though.

 

[geem]

It's a small 240/12v, twin motor fan unit with a filter and water reservoir, the evaporated water cools the air as it exits the unit so not an air conditioner in the traditional sense. Not cheap at all considering the very basic concept and compared to other similar units but positive reports from those who have them.

They don't really work in the UK. Perfect in climates with low RH. They add a lot of moisture to the air so raise the RH significantly. You might achieve a lower air temperature at the cost of far higher humidity

 

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

Can anyone comment on if there is much sailing stuff, or sailing boats there this year?

The website just has a load of pictures from 2022, and the only Youtube video I've found of this years show (posted by Boats.co.uk) seemed to suggest it was mainly for the powered side of things with just a few dinghys...

 

[JOHNPEET]

They don't really work in the UK. Perfect in climates with low RH. They add a lot of moisture to the air so raise the RH significantly. You might achieve a lower air temperature at the cost of far higher humidity

Evaporative coolers can also become a perfect reservoir of legionella bacteria , with the perfect mechanism to distribute it! Keep it clean and disinfected!

 

[JOHNPEET]

Can anyone comment on if there is much sailing stuff, or sailing boats there this year?

The website just has a load of pictures from 2022, and the only Youtube video I've found of this years show (posted by Boats.co.uk) seemed to suggest it was mainly for the powered side of things with just a few dinghys...

Yep, just a few stands with racing dinghys and sailing clothing, otherwise plenty of mobos and inland waterways craft

 

[Yorkshire Astronaut]

Yep, just a few stands with racing dinghys and sailing clothing, otherwise plenty of mobos and inland waterways craft

Ah, that's a shame. Especially for us Northern sailors as it's quite a schlep down to Southampton, and something a bit closer like Birmingham would be ideal...

 

[Neeves]

It's a small 240/12v, twin motor fan unit with a filter and water reservoir, the evaporated water cools the air as it exits the unit so not an air conditioner in the traditional sense. Not cheap at all considering the very basic concept and compared to other similar units but positive reports from those who have them.

Thanks, we are never too young to learn!

AH!

I recall that in the distant past, previous century they made a 'fridge' based on the same principal. A box with open sides and top but a metal box with door 'inside' the frame. The sides were then filled with plaster wall and top. You poured water onto the plaster at the top and it soaked all the rest of the plaster and the evaporation cooled the interior box. Adding a fan was beyond the sophistication of the era.

I did not realise the simple theory was still in use

 

[Minerva]

I saw the Birmingham show advertised and can’t make it this year. Train to the NEC probably will be a similar cost to flying to Düsseldorf though. Don’t think it would be much contest as to what gives a better day out!

 

[harvey38]

I steer clear of aicraft so 55 minutes on the M6 suits me.

 

[Seastoke]

Bouba these guys understand me.