Boat Show 2025

[Alex_Blackwood]

It’s been going downhill at least since the enforced retirement of the condemned buses from the park and ride.

Those always gave a glimpse of how short a time you might have left and, accordingly, put you in the right frame of mind for spending while you still could.

I heard, from a reasonable source, on the "Grapevine" last night. This year the show is half the size of last, also Soton City Council don't want them for some reason and the cost for traders is higher than any other venue.

 

[justanothersailboat]

Tom Cunliffe IS a YouTube star! The only one I think I spotted, in fact. But no parading or fawning over celebrities was in evidence.

It was good to meet Jazz Turner and would-be Golden-Glober Gunnar somebody and poke around their boats, and Tom Cunliffe and all sorts of other interesting people.

I think the old role of the boat show as a discount sale hasn't made sense for years and is gone, but I wasn't there at the time and I don't really care about that bit. It's clear that most of what supports it today is marketing rather than sales. That's fine, much of it was interesting and/or entertaining and I'll end up spending more on boat upgrades overall than if I hadn't gone. Marketing being a major motivator was probably the case before, too. I expect straightforward chandlery stalls will decline a little further to some stable lower level. I'm sure the total cost of exhibiting is high.

The show was definitely not "half the size of last year", it swapped the awkward space by the old mediaeval wall north of the road for a bigger area on the park side of the road (almost all the way to the pier pavilion / curry house building). 10% smaller at most. Plenty of interest. The wooden boats & boatbuilders part seemed more coherent this time which was good.

Slow-service, expensive and just-ok food stalls next to the horribly loud "music" stage were the low spot for me. I can accept that the catering for a captive audience is going to be expensive but it could have been a more pleasant experience. If they planned that better they'd get more money out of visitors overall and we'd all be happier.

 

[ImpImp]

The show was definitely not "half the size of last year", it swapped the awkward space by the old mediaeval wall north of the road for a bigger area on the park side of the road (almost all the way to the pier pavilion / curry house building). 10% smaller at most. Plenty of interest. The wooden boats & boatbuilders part seemed more coherent this time which was good.

There was no increase in the amout of Mayflower Park used this year from last (or indeed any other year I can recall). See last year and 2016 plans

 

[justanothersailboat]

Interesting, could be. Felt like Mayflower Park was denser used than last year, then, as I don't recall the east end of it adding up to much last year. It really was half the size of that 2016 plan with the big area outside the park, but definitely not half the size of last year, where the part outside the park was just the not so well laid out part before the bridge.

 

[Malish]

If Tally Ho puts in an appearance next year or 2027 then it might be worth attending

 

[zoidberg]

Today/Tuesday was a fine day at SIBS. Brill sunshine and a very light breeze. Lots of exhibitors working on their suntans, as footfall was quiet. There was even more garden furniture on display/for sale, squadrons of ribs and PWC thingys, powerboat trailers.... and seried ranks of powerboats, complete with blue-blazered minions.

Where do they keep them - the minions - when there's no boat show on? Are they freeze-dried and stored away again? Reconstituted once a year?

As it was relatively quiet 'but steady', exhibitors had time to talk about their new ideas and products. Picking out 'stars' is always challenging, but I'll plump for the two 'Illeys' coffee shacks ( the youngsters operating were conspicuously happy bunch, and cheap ) and for Jazz Turner, quite the most remarkable sailor there. ( not even excepting RKJ who was about. ) I learned something about Positive Mental Attitude sitting in her Albin Vega cockpit with her big dozy Golden Labrador.

 

[st599]

Had a wander round. It seems to be going the way of the London show, unfortunately. Getting smaller, fewer stands aimed at direct selling, not being allowed in boats.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Had a wander round. It seems to be going the way of the London show, unfortunately. Getting smaller, fewer stands aimed at direct selling, not being allowed in boats.

Not being allowed on boats has always been a thing. It’s just a surprise when it happens to you on a boat you’d like to see. They can usually find a decent excuse to let you down gently. Spirit Yachts just told me not to waste their time a few years back. I have since then always tried my best to comply with their wishes.

 

[Gixer]

It always staggers me that people with no skills are allowed to deal with the public. I have personally managed a demonstration team many times and if anyone it rude to a member of the public they are gone!
At the show I clamber around as many yachts as I can, not that I'm going to buy that particular yacht. I want to get a feel for what that brand can offer me, what do they stand for, what are their design quirks.
When I DO come to by my 'retirement yacht' these experiences will play heavily in my decision.

Going to SBS on Friday, can't wait!

 

[st599]

Not being allowed on boats has always been a thing. It’s just a surprise when it happens to you on a boat you’d like to see. They can usually find a decent excuse to let you down gently. Spirit Yachts just told me not to waste their time a few years back. I have since then always tried my best to comply with their wishes.

Not at the London or Düsseldorf shows - went on everything from a Cornsih Crabber to an 80 foot stink pot at both..

 

[laika]

Not being allowed on boats has always been a thing.

When the excel show was a big affair I often went on 2 days. So when I rocked up e.g. at the gunfleet stall soon after opening and they told me “we’re fully booked for the rest of the day… the earliest we can let you on is Wednesday “ I could say “fine!”

I’m on my way to the show right now but … blinkin’ ‘eck: 40 quid a ticket?? Yes I just randomly googled a vendor’s discount code and got it for half which is insane enough but they’re hardly encouraging the curious public

 

[laika]

Not at the London or Düsseldorf shows

London yes, experienced that. Boot…there *were* some waiting lists butI guess most of us make a weekend of that and I never tried to see a boat that I couldn’t at least see the next day, ie I believe it was a genuine waiting list rather than a “you aren’t our demographic” that seems to be happening at uk shows

 

[st599]

London yes, experienced that. Boot…there *were* some waiting lists butI guess most of us make a weekend of that and I never tried to see a boat that I couldn’t at least see the next day, ie I believe it was a genuine waiting list rather than a “you aren’t our demographic” that seems to be happening at uk shows

I think the UK is probably the only European country where I've seen that at trade shows. If they want to limit their sales, that's their choice.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I think the UK is probably the only European country where I've seen that at trade shows. If they want to limit their sales, that's their choice.

Quite. Just cos my deck shoes have seen better days I just wear the ones that are easiest to get on and off.

 

[sigma38dave]

Interesting comments about access to boats above.

About 20 years ago I braved the X Yachts stand at LIBS, they had two boats well outside my price range roped off at the top of a set of stairs.

Asking nicely and wearing my slip on shoe covers I had a look round after making it clear I didn’t have £300k handy (was in in my early 30’s) to actually buy one.

Got down below on an X46 and there was a salesman lying in wait at the chart table.

It took him all of about 2 seconds to realise I wasn’t a potential punter for this vessel but he engaged with me nevertheless pulling up the floor, showing me the steel frame, enthusing about the brand and then showing me their brokerage boats that were in my price range.

I ended up buying one of these and am still very happy with it, which is I guess why Halberg Rassy appeared to be happy letting the public swarm all over the H67 at the show.

I know you can’t judge by appearances but I don’t think many of them had the required number of millions for purchase.

 

[Bajansailor]

My first visit to SBS was in 1980 - I attended every year subsequently, for the next 20 odd years when I was living in England, and for the next few years I made a return pilgrimage every year.
The last time I visited, about 15 years ago, I spent 4 days there (yes, I know, I am a bit bonkers) - and I still did not see everything that I wanted to see. But I had a most enjoyable time.
Each time I have visited in the past I was able to get an International Visitors Pass (are they still doing these?) which allowed multiple visits on subsequent days.

 

[flaming]

Interesting comments about access to boats above.

About 20 years ago I braved the X Yachts stand at LIBS, they had two boats well outside my price range roped off at the top of a set of stairs.

Asking nicely and wearing my slip on shoe covers I had a look round after making it clear I didn’t have £300k handy (was in in my early 30’s) to actually buy one.

Got down below on an X46 and there was a salesman lying in wait at the chart table.

It took him all of about 2 seconds to realise I wasn’t a potential punter for this vessel but he engaged with me nevertheless pulling up the floor, showing me the steel frame, enthusing about the brand and then showing me their brokerage boats that were in my price range.

I ended up buying one of these and am still very happy with it, which is I guess why Halberg Rassy appeared to be happy letting the public swarm all over the H67 at the show.

I know you can’t judge by appearances but I don’t think many of them had the required number of millions for purchase.

When I worked for the show, the number of stories we'd hear about "random punters" turning up at multi million pound boats and paying the deposit on the spot was eye watering.

My favourite was on a Sunseeker. Sunseeker had what I thought was a really good policy, in that they had one boat always available for the public to queue up and look on, and they just rotated which boat through the day. This got them a lot of goodwill from visitors but still allowed them to schedule lots of private tours with "warm" customers.

One day the really big Sunseeker, I think it was about 100 foot long, was the designated queue for access boat. One chap queued up with the public, walked round, and then asked the sales guy on duty "how much is this boat?" The sales guy told him. And he replied "Ok great, I'll take one". Now to the sales guy, this was a "joke" that he'd heard 100 times in the last hour... So he chuckled and did nothing. But then the chap didn't leave. He just stood there. So after a few minutes the sales guy tried his own joke "Will you be paying cash or credit card sir?". To which the chap replied, slightly confused, "Well, the deposit might be credit card depending on the amount, but I assume that there would be staged payments by bank transfer wouldn't there?"
At which point the giant clanging penny dropped for the sales guy and he quickly whisked the chap away "back stage" to discuss things!

 

[flaming]

I’m on my way to the show right now but … blinkin’ ‘eck: 40 quid a ticket?? Yes I just randomly googled a vendor’s discount code and got it for half which is insane enough but they’re hardly encouraging the curious public

How you balance exhibitor costs and visitor costs for a B2C show is never simple.

Neither "side" ever seems to think that they should pay more.

 

[zoidberg]

Some years back I was roped-in for a week to help the Dufour concessionaire, so I duly brushed down my ould blue blazer and darned some moth holes....

Three days in, it was my turn to baby-sit the big boat of the range, and up turns a flame-haired lady from the Irish Republic. Turns out she'd come to view this specific boat, and was seriously interested. She was satisfied/content with everything - except the factory choice of berth-cushion fabrics, which were garish.
I agreed, and told her we could accommodate that. "Good," she grinned. "That's exactly what I need to hear."

I then made the signal to 'prep' the owner/agent up in the hospitality tent, so he could have the contract papers handy and the champagne/glasses chilled. So far, so good. Down comes agent's wife to be introduced, and to escort the new client..... During the brief conversation, Irish lady client mentions that a better choice of fabric cover was promised, and asked 'agent's lady' how they/we'd do that, as her time in England was limited.

Agent's lady exploded, rounded on me, and yelled "You know we can offer only the factory range of fabric. We don't have another option. What do you mean by misleading this lady?"
Then the Irish woman started yelling at me, too.... and stormed off to buy her second choice.

Agent's lady gave me another bollocking, then told me she'd get her husband - who was the owner of the business - to deal with me.
Said fellow duly turned up, having been briefed by irate wife. But he asked me to explain - which I did.

"We're all agreed those factory fabrics are ugly - you told us so yourself," I said. "So I went looking for a solution, an option. Up in the marquee-hall there's a woman with a small business making covers for berth cushions. She has a huge range of fabrics, and her seamstress skills are obvious. I've had her down here to look, and she is very happy to provide high-quality bespoke slip covers for a nominal price which she quoted me. She reckons that would give her an 'in' to doing more with your customers. That price is well within the several thousand pounds 'Allocation' you briefed could be used for modest individualisation. I am quite certain the Irish lady client would have been delighted to have the choice between scores of fabrics and patterns, and have hand-crafted work, all for the headline price of the boat she'd come to buy.

But it's too late now. Your wife, who's not on the sales team nor even an employee of your company, just shot from the lip and left you to ask questions later.

There are many problems in sales I can solve - but that's not one of them."

 

[E39mad]

It always staggers me that people with no skills are allowed to deal with the public. I have personally managed a demonstration team many times and if anyone it rude to a member of the public they are gone!
At the show I clamber around as many yachts as I can, not that I'm going to buy that particular yacht. I want to get a feel for what that brand can offer me, what do they stand for, what are their design quirks.
When I DO come to by my 'retirement yacht' these experiences will play heavily in my decision.

Going to SBS on Friday, can't wait!

Todays "hull tappers" are tomorrows potential customers.

When I used to work the shows (1989 to 1996) we used to let as many people through as possible. A few quick questions with each viewer gave you an indication as to whether they were worth more of your time for a potential sale or take details to chase after the show.