Essex boat jumble

[michael_w]

Worth going to?

Need a few bibs and bobs for the newish boat which I hope to complete the purchase of next week now that the fu*kwit broker has pulled his finger out re repairs.

 

[kengill]

Usually

 

[srp]

I went to it in the autumn last year and a lot of people were saying how it had gone downhill. Three of the stallholders I spoke to said they wouldn't be bothering again, and that there were too many boat jumbles on the fixture list.
It wasn't all that good to be honest - some of the vendors have a strange idea of what their old junk is worth. But I'm a glutton for punishment and I'm going to this one - at the very least it'll make Beaulieu seem worthwhile!

 

[Koeketiene]

Never miss it.

"Do" 3 boat jumbles each year (Essex 2x + Beaulieu).

Always seem to pick someting up.

If it wasn't for boat jumbles, the "for sale" forum or eBay I don't think I could afford this boating lark.

 

[Mudplugger]

I suspect a small contingent from the Colne will be present! subject to the flow of wine at the Wallet Ball the night before.

 

[FullCircle]

I will be going to North Weald, although as it is post the YBW East Coast Gala Dinner, I am not sure what benefit I will derive from it. If you see a couple wearing Dinner Suit and Ball Gown, thats us. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Like Guapa, I go to the 2 Essex Jumbles and Beaulieu, even though I never seem to find a watermaker or a diesel generator for 50 quid (or less).

I always find the food so entertaining.

It also amuses that 2 old geezers turn up, unload 4 tons of unrecognisable tat onto a blanket, take turns in protecting their pile of iron oxide, and ward (or amuse) off customers by requesting a Kings Ransom for anything shown an interest in.
Also like to see Vendor bloke going blue pulling starter cord of recalcitrant outboard in vain attempt to offload it to some mug.

Its just top entertainment for 4 quid.

 

[MoodySabre]

I shall be going there for the first time - is it a mud bath like it could be at Essex Showground?

 

[SQUIRRELS]

Don't recall it being muddy, but do wrap up well. Went last year and was seriously cold.

 

[CliveG]

I went last year and got some good bargains for our new boat.

Last year it was part undercover and the outside areas were on concrete.
There seemed to be a good selection of stalls.

If I wasn't running a Stages Rally at Rockingham I would go again this year.

 

[michael_w]

Thanks guys, looks like we'll be raiding the piggy bank.

My usual ploy for dealing with over-inflated prices is to say: "Do you want to sell whatever it is, or not? Do you want to lug it all home again?" This attitude secured a brand new multi-step battery charger for £50.00

 

[Koeketiene]

No DJ or posh frock obeserved - long lie in?

Picked up 7m of fender tube at £3.50 p/m.
B gut some teak oil - well, we've got a lot of teak to oil /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Last autumn obeserved some Hempel antifoul - would have been handy.
Alas: fresh out.

Side observations:
1. Filth was out in force. Seemed mainly interested in outboards
2. Food was once again "interesting": youngest had to have a burger. Hope no-one reports us to the RSPCC
3. Latest Essex fashion statement: bush hats. Observed at least 10. Tie me kangeroo down! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[michael_w]

Back home with a good haul of booty.

2 x fenders
shore power lead
tin of antifoul
2 cockpit cushions
4 U bolts
and a Thermos flask for £3!

Well worth a morning in the rain.

 

[snowleopard]

For those new to boat jumbles -

There are two types of stand - those selling new stuff, i.e. cheapo chandleries and those selling back-of-the-shed stuff and knock-offs.

A few tips:

-know the retail price of what you want to buy or you could end up paying over the odds

-always assume that secondhand stuff doesn't work unless it can be demonstrated there and then. You have no comeback if it's duff. Electronics are particularly suspect. I once bought a galley pump and the seller got a mug of water to prove it worked - it wasn't till I installed it that I found the seals had gone and it leaked all over the galley.

- Suspect non-branded metalwork. 'stainless' could be plated mild steel. Cheap CQR anchors are often cast and brittle. Brassware is often plated.

-Check liquids in unsealed containers - new 2-stroke oil has been know to be waste sump oil!

There are some real bargains to be had, for example my Lewmar winches were brand new but unboxed at £500 instead of £1000

I always go with a shopping list but be prepared for surprises. If there are 5 items on my list I generally get 2 of them plus 3 other items I hadn't thought of.

 

[FullCircle]

Dear Guapa,
we slunk in at 1130, just in time to bag a new busbar, 10 3M 60 grit sanding blocks at 50p a pop, charts for our honeymoon area in the Ionian, red night light for the heads and a few anchor shackles for a couple of quid.

I have to say we were feeling delicate though after last nights herculean drinking task.

I managed to see a couple of people I know and talked to the Roach Sailing Assocaiation and found out a bit more about Paglesham Boatyard which was good news.

It rained a fair bit, but I was wearing a green trilby (not a bush hat).

 

[Sixpence]

Maybe you should have kept Louise' wellies on after all /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[srp]

Much better than I expected - but it's always down to luck, helped by the fact that I'm giving the boat a big workover at the moment. Best buys were a double Barton rope clutch and a Vetus gooseneck exhaust, both brand new, total £40 as against £146 from Mailspeed.
I must say I found all the East Coasters I spoke to very affable - made queuing for the 10am start in the cold very bearable.