Boat Rally at the London Boat Show 2013

[Red]

Would it not be great if the show organised a boat rally to the London Boat Show filling the dock outside. It would be a great trip up or down the Thames and then everyone moored up in the basin outside the show - what better way to promote it, all the vessels enjoying a couple of nights free berthing and complementary tickets to the show. I am sure it would give great press coverage, particularly if some vessels had come from afar, and of more interest than a few secondhand vessels tied up outside. The show would come alive. Perhaps one of the motorboat magazines should promote it, it may be a bit late for 2012 - is anyone up for it in 2013.

 

[trouty12]

That sounds a great idea! Not sure I would make it from Yorkshire but would certainly like to try (will start dropping hints to SWMBO immediately).

As you say, it should be excellent publicity. Who do we need to lobby?

 

[sarabande]

ideal ! free mooring, water and lecky, and entrance to the Show, plus parking.


I can see that going down a bomb with the sponsors....

 

[mjf]

you have to be joking - I can't get there with my RiB which is moored only few miles away on the tidal thames...........no berth, idiot bridge to book opening and London City ATC all conspire to hamper my efforts

What about the Olympics?????? Dream on!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I'm sure it would be a great trip out for the owners of the boats concerned but I don't really see how it adds to the show. The problem LIBS has is lack of exhibitors and hence, lack of visitors and I don't see how a few owners turning up in their boats helps that

 

[Gumpy]

SPCC have been doing this for years
Usually only Narrowboats though

 

[windpipe]

As i remember from last year the outdoor area is now taken up with used boats, not sure if this had brought in more visitors or not?

 

[oldgit]

Think you may well find the Queens Jubilee will be ending up in there after the do........

 

[prv]

I can't get there with my RiB which is moored only few miles away on the tidal thames...........no berth, idiot bridge to book opening and London City ATC all conspire to hamper my efforts

How do Air Traffic Control hinder your access by boat?

Pete

 

[scej]

How do Air Traffic Control hinder your access by boat?

Pete

the reason air traffic control hinder the access is that you go in the lock which you can only access a couple of hours either side of high water once your though the lock you have to cross the end of the runway through a narrow gap. you would be crossing less than 100m from the end of the runway and for that the runway has to close. then there is a swing bridge on a busy road open. Last year when we brought the boats back from the show one had some issues and was very slow getting to the lock and it created a big issue for ATC until we where all through. and i would guess that a complet lock full of pleasure boats is unlikly to impress ATC as they may need to shut the airport for up to 1 hour.

It is a big thing to organise just for the boat show boatsto get in. there is always the option of Gallions point marina right next to the lock for the king george v dock.