EXCEL, ups and downs

[johnphilip]

Pleased we went to the boat show yesterday.
Thank-you to the rail, tube, DLR and the show itself, despite the weather all trains on time almost to the minute, everything sorted and organised.
At the show it is much reduced in size since last year, but then we are in a recession with economic prospects still dire.
Thank-you to all the exhibitors who took the time to give full answers to our queries.
No, there were not the bargains you might hope for in a recession, we still seem to pay a huge premium for products sold within the leisure boating industry. But then I dont think any one is making a fortune out of the market so perhaps it is just something we have to face.
A more subdued show with yachts making less of an impact. If I were an exhibitor I would not want to pay thousands to have my product decapitated and pushed against the back wall of the show with no backdrop except a brick wall, so there are yet fewer.
The only substandard part of the show was the hot food served in the RYA lounge, try a salad or eat elsewhere.

 

[MoodySabre]

The only substandard part of the show was the hot food served in the RYA lounge, try a salad or eat elsewhere.

I agree - very poor.

I did get a £10 Musto cap for £8 - felt like a bargain

Strange thing was that some yachts (benes and jeanneaus) were in the same bit as the big mobos - not seen them mixed up like that. Not a problem just unusual.

As good a way of spending a few quid and a snowy day as any.

 

[Moodyjim]

I enjoyed it too. Got away with only spending £300 (mostly on charts) but I liked the Mystery 36, quite a lot like my old Rival 34 with the same layout below. Lots of good advice from very helpful folks and a good day out.
The RYA Winter Pimms was good!

 

[Fire99]

I thought it was ok. A bit samey from previous years and not much to get too excited about.

I know I may get burnt to death for mentioning a MOBO brand but a thumbs up to Fairline who were very friendly and accommodating. One young lady showing us around wasn't employed by the company and was a hostess. She was really friendly and let us take a very long time looking at the ins and outs of the boats.

Nice to see the Woodrolfe chaps and a nice new ELAN. Very friendly as ever.

 

[jpcarter30]

Well I enjoyed it and picked up a 30m deck rope for 70 quids but the best part for me was:

a free 10 min back and shoulder massage on the Virgin/Ondeck stall
Wife had a free manicure and nail painting on the same stall!
Bartender on the Fullers bar forgot to charge me for 3x bottles of mineral water and 3xMurphy's which at 3.75 each was much appreciated, so thanks for that!Before disappearing he also mentioned that "the Guiness bar is much better organised"
Some good chats and advice all round.
Special thanks to those who had the good grace to tell me "get it online it's much cheaper."

 

[Sans Bateau]

I disagree with the standard of food in the RYA, not a big selection I do agree, but two meals cost us (me!) £17.50, damned site cheaper and better than Red Hen or Little Chef on the motorway.

As for bargins, I bought 25 metres of 12m of mulitplait for genny sheets, £20.00

I also bought a load of charts and pilotage books and got 15% discount at Kelvin Hughes, that'll do nicely.

For a Sat the show was quiet, but then considering the weather there were more people than we expected.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Bargain of the Show

Half price Reef flipflops, with built-in bottle opener.