Boat show today a pix or two

[oldgit]

Despite a mini blizzard drove up to the show this morning along the deserted A2 directly to Excel,parked right outside.For cheapskates there is £5.00 all day "bombsite" carpark at the entrance to the west approach.
Sufficent shiny stuff there for the casual browser,shame that Sealine were missing,would have liked a look round that new 46 footer of theirs.North hall not that busy so people did have time to talk.Spent time on the Jenneau stand and heaven help us,not only did they indicate that the price on the boat I was lookin at was merely a "guide" price,but that a visit to their boatyard later on would not only result in the proper price but did I have a boat they could buy ? to help the deal along.

One or two interesting boats(ie less than 40 knots/40 Gallons an hour/and hurrah no zips) seem to be creeping into the show.

Nice to see that some of the niche builders are getting their foot in the door.
The other hall was definately more like the show of old and packed with all the usual gear and suspects.
Some chap seeing my obvious affuence thrust a pamplet at me extolling the virtues of being able to get in on the ground floor viz buying a plot of land(pix showed swamp like plot !) in the BVI TAX FREE and they would lend me the money over 3 years.
Small print did then go on mention assorted "charges and taxes" ?

While attempting to liberate a copy of MBM was accosted by Richard Shead who held his hand out and demanded a whole pound.
Did look round for the MDL crew and Suncoast mob but unable to find em.....
Roll on the spring.....

 

[Kawasaki]

Good post oldgit
Considering everything of late
It seems there were quite a few people attending for a midweek day.

Yeh, that Shead bloke.

Good used Car salesman in the making I reckon!

 

[AndieMac]

Thanks for the post OG........can't always manage to get to these events

Certainly looks like a very flash affair...

The little (Windrush) riverboat with the tri-hull? A mix of traditional and contemporary?

 

[Major Catastrophe]

While attempting to liberate a copy of MBM was accosted by Richard Shead who held his hand out and demanded a whole pound.

You didn't try hard enough. Kawasaki got Richard to spring for a slap up feed at Mrs Miggins Pie Shoppe.

The Windrush looks neat.

EDIT: Hmm, must be on the same wavelength AndieMac.

http://www.bossoms.com/launches-dinghies-yachts/windrush.html

 

[oldgit]

The winds of change ?

Noticeable that some of the smaller guys are entering the market again,showing some affordable cabin cruiser stuff,basically the sort of thing that the chap who gets paid a normal wage would be able to buy new .No starship engines/electronics ,no electric bogs no bilge to bilge "dirt magnet" white carpet not a granite surface to be seen ,just a boat that could give lots of fun to family on the average wage.
The constant drift up market by Frincess and Pairline et al ,which has resulted in the price of a entry boat starting at around £300k is a joke for the vast majority of the population of the UK.Yes I know that the french boys have cashed in on the value for money fast fisher market but the old fashioned 4 berth displacement boat may be on the return offering a possibilty of boats that folks could actually afford returning to the market.
Perhaps the latest financial situation is a neat way of bringing the marine world back onto this planet ?

 

[Renegade_Master]

"Did look round for the MDL crew and Suncoast mob but unable to find em....."


Look Fred if you cant navigate the North hall with the programme map, what chance have you wiv a chart at sea................gawd help us all

PS I can officially take orders for Jeanneau

 

[oldgit]

"I can officially take orders for Jeanneau"

My current financial situation may just allow me to buy a gallon of diesel to add the gallon already in the boat tanks.If we do not eat on Fridays.
Things are hard since next door put a padlock on their dustbin.

 

[AndieMac]

Noticeable that some of the smaller guys are entering the market again,showing some affordable cabin cruiser stuff,basically the sort of thing that the chap who gets paid a normal wage would be able to buy new .No starship engines/electronics ,no electric bogs no bilge to bilge "dirt magnet" white carpet not a granite surface to be seen ,just a boat that could give lots of fun to family on the average wage.
The constant drift up market by Frincess and Pairline et al ,which has resulted in the price of a entry boat starting at around £300k is a joke for the vast majority of the population of the UK.Yes I know that the french boys have cashed in on the value for money fast fisher market but the old fashioned 4 berth displacement boat may be on the return offering a possibilty of boats that folks could actually afford returning to the market.
Perhaps the latest financial situation is a neat way of bringing the marine world back onto this planet ?

On another thread about 'Searays and Crownlines', PowerYacht made an interesting comment (he usually does ) about the production numbers of various companies.

I interpreted, the companies that catered for the full range, had a good result.

 

[AndieMac]

The Windrush looks neat.

EDIT: Hmm, must be on the same wavelength AndieMac.

http://www.bossoms.com/launches-dinghies-yachts/windrush.html

Major....next month we are having our annual Wooden Boat Rally, fortunately Tassy has a wonderful collection of traditional timber boats, and many are displayed at this event, both on trailers and in wet berths.
It is a serious drawcard for the public, people seem to love the old (and new) traditional craft.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Major....next month we are having our annual Wooden Boat Rally, fortunately Tassy has a wonderful collection of traditional timber boats, and many are displayed at this event, both on trailers and in wet berths.
It is a serious drawcard for the public, people seem to love the old (and new) traditional craft.

In that case I look forward to your comprehensive post on here, or in the classic boat forum, with lots of pics.

 

[AndieMac]

In that case I look forward to your comprehensive post on here, or in the classic boat forum, with lots of pics.

Done....

 

[rafiki_]

I visited LIBs on Tuesday afternoon, and it felt like it was dying on its feet.

Fairline has a notice saying "all welcome on the stand", indicating the vast ammount of reps had got so bored with talking to each other, they were able to lower themselves to talk to mortals.

So, my first experience of trampling on serious Sunseekers etc, and yes, they are fabulous and very desirable, but my star of the show was the Pearl! She looks a beaut, and very practical accommodation. The only think that put me off signing for the order, was having to take a Bentley as well. Would normally be content, but they are only offering the VW Phaeton version. How cheap!!

Was disappointed with the much hyped Beneteau Swift 34. Not as good as the mags have indicated in my opinion. Fit and finish was not up to scratch, even on the show boat. Accommodation was nothing special.

South hall stuff was much reduced on prior years, with circa 30-40% of stands offering charters.

Don't think I'll bother next year, if it happens at all.....................