East Coast 'boat of the show'.

moondancer

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East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

I spent the afternoon yesterday looking round the show thinking about the best boat for the East Coast at the boat show.

First of all the criteria. I was thinking of someone who wanted a cruising yacht in the 30 - 40 foot range and with a bit of cash. Something that could go to Holland and back, and also explore the creeks.

The choices were a bit limited. It seems that there are fewer and fewer sailing boats being displayed. Lots of people from last year either not there or with much smaller stands. J Boats had only two boats there one without a keel or mast, looking like a very hurried together stand. Previously they had one of the bigger stands. Lots of empty space cunningly disguised as a bar area.

For me it was between the Southerly and the Ovni. Both seemed very nice boats but for me the Ovni just edged it. It looks like a fantastic boat for the East Coast, beautifully put together and able to dry out.

It gets my vote for East Coast boat of the year. Anybody spot anything they think is a better choice?

Now for a bit of thread drift. As for the rest of the show I was pretty disappointed. Bought a chart for more than it would have cost on the Internet.

It still annoys me that companies like Oyster have a barrier to their boats that says 'viewing by appointment only'. With some snooty girls appraising you to see if you are viewing material. I think to charge punters an entry fee the show organisers should insist on open access for everyone.


Show was empty, although it was the preview day. Spoke to the Owner of one of the yacht manufacturers whom I know, and he said the the UK and American markets were at an absolute complete standstill at the moment although they were selling to the continent.
 
Re: East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

[ QUOTE ]

Show was empty, although it was the preview day. Spoke to the Owner of one of the yacht manufacturers whom I know, and he said the the UK and American markets were at an absolute complete standstill at the moment although they were selling to the continent.

[/ QUOTE ]

That should teach you - you should have gone to the Boatshow Dick Durham went to - apparently it was quite busy with some brisk trading going on /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

We always have a look at the Oysters and we've never been refused no matter how scruffy we've been dressed.
 
Re: East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

[ QUOTE ]
We always have a look at the Oysters and we've never been refused no matter how scruffy we've been dressed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure that's true and I am sure I could have made an appointment and got on. However the notice was there and would certainly have put many people, partcularly families from asking to make an appointment to view.

It's more the principle. Manufacturers cleraly spend a lot bringing their product to the boat show and the want to mximise return. However, it is a boat show open to the public. ndeed the public are charged and should have the right to see anything in the show. Oyster are by no means the only ones, most of the expensive mobo stands try to qualify their leads by doing the same.

The organisers should enforce their policy of open access.
 
Re: East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

I haven't been to the show for a couple of years but I have never failed to get on board an Oyster. The last time I went, I actually said that I had no chance of ever being able to afford one (obvious if you could see me) but could I come aboard to have a look. I got unfettered access and felt very welcome. Much snootier responses from several other stands.
Morgan
 
Re: East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Show was empty, although it was the preview day. Spoke to the Owner of one of the yacht manufacturers whom I know, and he said the the UK and American markets were at an absolute complete standstill at the moment although they were selling to the continent.

[/ QUOTE ]

That should teach you - you should have gone to the Boatshow Dick Durham went to - apparently it was quite busy with some brisk trading going on /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
The show that I went to on Friday was also quite busy, how strange, with many stands telling me they were pleased with their day.
Busy today, too, plenty of visitors. Coudn't say how much money was changing hands but there were plenty of folk imbibing the black stuff.
 
Re: East Coast \'boat of the show\'.

We we went yesterday.
Arrived at 10:00, had breakfast and headed off into the show by around 10:45.
By 13:00 we were off home!
TBH there were lots of nice boats but I am not really that interested in poking around other boats.
The electronic sales people had obviously got together beforehand and were offering identical deals.
Other items were the same price as they are in our local swindlery - and they are by no means the cheapest!
There just doesn't seem to be the same atmosphere as there once was. You used to be able to get bargains and discounts. I did think in the current econimic climate that there would have been lower prices to sell things on the basis that a sale with a smaller profit is better than no sale at all. Then again, this is the marine industry.
I suppose this time it was less useful as we don't have any real immediate needs.
Still had a nice chat with a couple of the sailmakers in case they could persuade us to get a new headsail this season rather than wait.
A 15% show discount from Kemps was good (with a possibility of more to come).
Also saw about a dozen people from our marina (excluding the Oyster and Foxs employees!)
Think I may have spotted Mr and Mrs Full Circle at a distance but couldn't get to them to say 'hi' before they had disappeared.
Cheers
D
 
A recession-era boat show?

My initial reaction last night in the North Hall was " Errm - where are all the boats?" (There may have been more outside, but ferreting around in the dark on a January night is not my idea of viewing boats).

There seemed to be a lot of space - the empty NW corner with tables & chairs, where there might have been some boats. Somebody selling what looked like big garden sheds. An awful lot of bored looking folks manning stands.

Quite a few of the stands seemed "opened out" - a lot of floor area for not a lot of display. There looked like more folks in the Guinness Bar than in the rest of the Hall.

Enjoyable though quaffing a pint of London Pride whilst listening to a folk band is, " C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas un Boat Show "

Bit sad really....
 
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