Earls Court a trip down memeory lane

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SailorFrank

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Well the Air Conditioning still doesn't work, it took just a long to get from Waterloo to EC as it does to get to Excel, the taxi fair was almost identical, the catering franchise at EC hasn't improved and a pint of the black stuff was £3.65p

But most of all apart from Gipsy Moth IV and a handful of boats in the pool this is a boat show with no sail boats, if you want to buy a Jacuzzi or some clothing for xmas go ahead otherwise best save your money for Excel,

Oh and i can feel the sore throat coming on - just like the old days!
 
You forgot to mention that you could also buy bean bags.
Or a glass of champagne for 9 quid!
Wish I hadn't missed seeing the 'James Caird' though.
 
From the Earls Court Boatshow Website

A brand new International Boat Show is here, an event for the whole family to enjoy. From 1st to 9th December 2007 Earls Court will open its doors to host this spectacular Christmas maritime show. There will be entertainment, new products, interaction, hospitality and education for all ages. Come and experience all this and more at the Whyte and Mackay Earls Court Boat Show. We look forward to seeing you there.
 
So you expected to see two international boat shows in london six weeks apart?

Been there all day and amazed what they have achieved so far it may work it may not only time will tell I shall report at the close of play tomorrow.
 
sorry what have they achieved? apart from GMIV and the James Caird what is there to see, it is full of people selling remote control helicopters and bean bags! they have had to fill the second floor up with blow up whales to make the place look full! look forward to your report.
 
So why did you go? not causing a fight just interested.

Personally and I mean personally I was truly amazed at what they achieved.

But I dont know what you expected to see? please tell? (and dont quote the website)
 
I went because I had a meeting with an exhibitor - what I expected was a entertaining show, (and perhaps some yachts!) the team behind EC have made a lot of noise about atmosphere and showing NBS how it should be done - in my opinion they haven't delivered.
 
So what do you expect from Excel? its an interesting debate as most here wanted an EC show expecting a return to the good old days with a bit of sparkle did you thing that was going to happen?

There is no right or wrong answer to this but you have to ask yourself is there enough room in this marketplace for three major boat shows in a year, two of which in London.

The guys at EC have done something I never ever thought would happen and it may not be like the good old days but they have put on a boat show and there is no question of that. The "bean bags" are to be found at all shows although I have spent all day looking for fox's spices....
 
I am by no means holding up the jokers at BMIF / NBS as role models - I think we have lacked a true show in he UK for a long time, but EC promised to be different - they said they would put the show back in show and they haven't - you make a good point about two London shows in both a personal and business capacity I am not sure either is worth the effort - but from I what I saw today better the devil you know at Excel
 
as a first show i agree its lacking a few things but they have managed to fill two halls of Earls Court with boats (mostly). I and many others never ever thought we would see the day but we did today. There is no room for two london shows everyone knows it and not one person qualified or not at this moment intime knows which way it will go.

The only thing that will make it work is the people that go through the door and that my friends is down to you!

Its not a wasted day just be realistic as what you are going to see and judging by the amount of people carrying rope and anchors out the door i think there is something for most people...

Come see me if you do go and we can chew the cud proper
 
Problem is this is an international business and if EC and NBS / BMIF are not careful the industry will go to Southampton and miss out London all together - I am off to Paris on Monday - now that really is a BOAT show!
 
Not sure what you expected given the nature of today's activities. I have been there all day and now tapping this from a rather small hotel room round the corner from the venue.

Today was press day - there were loads of them. The true measure will be what happens tomorrow and over the weekend. The show did not open unti 12.00 today.
 
yep but you have missed the best day...today in fact it still open! i can hear the bottles of red popping as I type....Paris is a unique show so enjoy ! and as for the oysters......

Next time you do come to a london show pop by and we can have a propper chine wag that way I dont have to put it in writing......
 
How many yachts do you get at ExCel? The last time I went there was the PO brands, Legend, Island Packed and the much loved forum choice Bavaria plus a big Oyster and that was about it.

I remember walking around EC as a child and the place packed to the rafters with the likes of Moody, Westlerly, Jeanneau, Benny, Parker and many more. Is it Yacht manufacurers no longer see the benefit of shows or have they just all dissappeared.

MoBo's always seems to be better represented which from memory never used to be the case.
 
not that many press and those I spoke to were not that impressed - to me it didn't feel fresh or new - I felt I had traveled back in time

Would be really interested in the numbers and thoughts of visitors tomorrow
 
What press did you talk to? all of ours were pleasantly surprised with what they saw. I am not speaking for them just relaying comments that I heard.

Lets wait until tomorrow for full comment and Jez your stand looked good but they appeared to have fitted the anchor at the wrong end on your latest model....
 
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