Boat show! You're having a laugh.

Got home from the show just two hours ago at a quarter past ten I am very tired and very disapointed.I live in Ireland so to go to the show takes time off work a lot of travelling and quite a few beer tokens.So to see the show much smaller with a good few less stands left me feeling a bit cheated.I think thats my last for a long time if ever again.
 
Boat Show Wednesday

I went yesterday. Train delayed an hour by the weather but only took 25 minutes from getting off the train at Waterloo to walking through the entrance at Excel. Still very quiet at 1130 but people were arriving fast so that the sailboat hall had a friendly buzz to it without being too busy to talk to people.
I found the entrance and central concourse rather sad as it all looked very empty but with most of my time in the north hall I thought it was pretty good with exhibitors remarkably cheerful.
Spent quite a lot of time with sailmakers getting some good advice. Ended the day placing an order.
I thought some of the chandlery stands were pretty good and, in the end, bought all I wanted in one place because their prices were the best. Without asking I was given a 20% discount so came away very happy.
Didn't take too much notice of new boats because I ran out of time and not looking to change.
 
Pasarell said:
I went yesterday. Train delayed an hour by the weather but only took 25 minutes from getting off the train at Waterloo to walking through the entrance at Excel.
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TWENTY FIVE MINUTES!! you must have had you must have had the roller blades on!
 
Jamesuk said:
TWENTY FIVE MINUTES!! you must have had you must have had the roller blades on!
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I know - lucky wasn't I?
Got off the train and walked down to Jubilee Line where there was a train waiting with doors about to close. Changed to DLR at Canning Town where there was a train waiting as well.
Coming back took slightly longer but I was partly to blame for getting on Jubilee Line in the wrong direection!
 
Show yesterday (Thursday)

I went yesterday and, from a punters perspective at least, it was just the right amount of attendance. It wasn't unduly empty but one was able to get around the place easily enough without being barged and could easily speak with the guys and gals on the stands. I had an enjoyable four hours there yesterday and thought it worthwhile as I was in town on business anyway. Transport to the site was easy; Jubilee line and change at Canning town.
 
We were there on Saturday and our initial thought was how quiet it was. However there were enough people to make it busy and several of the traders that I spoke to said they were doing really good business. One stand said they had just had the best opening day EVER. Not so many people, but the people that were there were spending.

I did go on a number of boats - but only to look at how the galleys were finished and what the styles were to get some ideas for re-modeling ours!

It was nice to met some people from the East Coast Forum - although I was sorry not to be able to join them for some of the Black velvety stuff.

Regarding travel and cost - we go to London for the w/e and go to a show and treat it as a week-end away. We enjoy the DLT and with a one day travel pass its cheap and relatively quick.
 
Went yesterday evening for a few hours. Got some cracking deals on new kit. Standard Horizon VHF (£90), Plastimo Contest Compass (£80) and new set of jackstays (£50)... well pleased!

Still had plenty of time to look at some new boats and I have to say despite me clearly being a "tyre kicker", every salesperson I spoke to was simply very proud and enthusiastic about their boats but more than happy to chat and answer questions from someone who, for the time being at least, wasn't looking to buy.

Also nice to be able to get to the bar even though most of the exhibition staff had decamped there by about 7.30.

All round good experience, good mid-winter boaty fix!... still prefer SIBS though. Can't beat a bit of water and sunshine to see a boat at its best.;)
 
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