Boat Show Opinion?

[Major_Clanger]

I hadn't been to the London Boat Show for years.... To give you some idea, last time I went it was at Earl's Court with Frank Dye signing copies of his latest book about mad forays in a Wayfarer!

Anyway, I went on Saturday and was sorely disappointed. The show only occupied one hall of Excel, half of it full with power boats (fine if that's your thing) but precious few sailing yacht makers. There were some good accessory stands with the usual helpful people on them, but just not enough IMHO. The daftest part to my mind was the huge expanse of dock outside that was completely unused, how utterly mad! Earl's Court at least managed a central pool with quite a few boats afloat.

My day ended badly too; I saw a door in the entrance hall of Excel marked 'Prayer Room'. Being good old-fashioned C of E I thought I'd go in and see what it was all about. Once inside it seemed I'd stumbled in to a mosque, and several of the occupants were quite rude and made it clear I wasn't welcome. I was equally transparent in my response and left.

Roll on Southampton.... What did everyone else think of the show?

 

[sailorman]

I went to the first one at Excel & never had the urge to rtn
went to Soton 3 yrs ago for the first time stopped over 2 nights in Hamble & a very relaxed time got the bus in & it drops off outside the show

 

[pyrojames]

Not a lot. Went to look at products, get some quotes and get some technical advice. Failed to get anything useful on all counts. Partially useful on a professional basis, but not up to much on my sailing side.

 

[Otter]

Loved it but that's only because it was a family day out. On my own it would have been a bit dull but as the kids and SWMBO were having such a great time I did as well. To see my five year old having an hour's kayaking training was flipping awesome, nine and seventeen year olds had an hour's SUP training as well. Spoke to lots of dealers and made some decisions. Not remotely interested in new yachts or mobos but very interested in micro RIBs and decided on the 2.8m Ribeye for next LIBS. Bought a very few things but it was just a fun boaty family day out and in January as well which was a bonus!

 

[Tam Lin]

I think you pretty much summed it up!

 

[seasicksteve]

On the whole a good day. Agreed nothing like Earls Court used to be with the crowds round the Guinness Stand, but good to meet up with some friends. I went on the preview day thanks to free RYA tickets, and found the people on the stands very knowledgeable and willing to talk about their products. A few years ago I went on the last day and by then everyone seemed to be suffering from show fatigue and not remotely interested in talking about anything! Bought a new AIS, about to order a spinnaker pole and thinking about a few other things.
Steve.

 

[Mandarin331]

We last went three years ago, sounds exactly as described by major-clanger - I was hoping it would be better than Earls Court but no. We won't be rushing back

 

[Otter]

We last went three years ago, sounds exactly as described by major-clanger - I was hoping it would be better than Earls Court but no. We won't be rushing back

It can't ever be half as good as Earls Court because back then there was no real internet commerce infrastructure so if you wanted a bargain or advice or product details etc you went to EC, which meant that all the players were there with stands because they knew the punters were going to be there. Plus we had a medium sized domestic boat building industry in the 80's and early 90's. Now they make 95% of the sailing yachts on the continent and you can get bargains on the web and all the advice and pre-purchase info on there as well. And then let's face it, Earls Court was never as good as we remember it - and I have very fond memories of it. The only way LIBS can thrive is if they make it an experience based show and how the hell do you do that in January and from such a small level that it's got to now? It will die and close which is a damned shame because if they'd done more than tweak it 15 years ago it would be thriving now. Still, as days out go it was a real cracker and all the family asked to go back next year. Which is handy because there's a Ribeye RIB and Torqeedo with my name on it

 

[tidclacy]

Had a big shopping list and wanted advice and help on some electronics. So for me was ok. But as others have said much smaller again this year and would certainly not have been impressed had I just gone to view.

 

[tjbrace]

It did everything I wanted plus some, thanks to Garmin. And without the awesome trek to Solon.

 

[Gilesferr]

I chatted to the people I wanted to about bits and bobs, did what I wanted so good day out. Yes everyone complains not as good as back in the day at ec, well the world has changed the net has completely changed how we shop and the economics of the country have changed. Of the people who showed at ec how many are still in business probably less the 50% never been to Southampton it's in the summer I'm sailing, seems a odd time.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Having an outdoor show such as Southampton outside of the sailing season (say April to October so therefore November through to March) wouldn't be a particularly wise idea.

We went to Southampton last year (complimentary tickets) as while the sun was out it was bit too windy for my tastes.

 

[backwaters]

Having just moved from a sailboat to a motorboat, I can agree the the OP that the London show is more motorboat oriented (but that's our thing now). Southampton is much better in my opinion all around. Southampton has more vendors selling spares and accessories.

 

[kayenox]

Went purely to chat to some vendors about specific items we're looking to upgrade on the boat. That was useful - but I wouldn't have paid full price for the ticket (got a free ticket as being an RYA member) - if I had, I would have been sorely disappointed - effectively paying for someone to sell things to me!

There's something both intimidating and depressing about seeing mastless boats jacked up with corporate types festooned with logos hovering at the top of the stand waiting to see if you are worthy (or more likely if they think, in their rapidly made opinion, that you can afford such a tub) to ascend and board their boats. Much prefer (as you would expect) the more casual browsing around Southampton and of course with the boats in their natural habitat there.

Wouldn't go again, unless specifically looking to chat to a number of vendors (with a free ticket), despite being a Londoner.

Best bit about it was sampling the Emirates cable car from North Greenwich, which was at the lower price of £2.50, having a confirmed ticket for Excel. Not worth the £10 IMHO but a mildly interesting swing across the Thames, rather than under.

 

[BlackwaterLad]

As mentioned above the naysayers have failed to grasp the commercial realities of the 21st century. Ecxel is never going to live up to the rose tinted memories of Earl’s Court. Not least because the Navy no longer “Man the Mast”!

I had a fantastic day out. Due to our personal circumstances my son and I got two tickets, transport and a show brochure for under £20 so it was a no brainer for us.
We went with a couple of specific objectives relating to holiday charter and offshore training which we discussed at length with numerous people.

We were welcomed aboard a range of Jeanneau, Bavaria and Hanse yachts, tried on loads of sailing gear and even found some of the “Why are they here?” stalls quite amusing (how have I lived so long without a fleece sack to keep my dog in?).

Yes, small to medium mobo’s where definitely the hot topic and the lack of visitors must cast doubt on the future but it is what it is. Take it or leave it. I simply don’t see why it attracts so much vitriol from people who don’t go.