Going To The Boat Show ?

[LONG_KEELER]

I hate wandering around being a tyre kicker…

It's nice to board new yachts that you will probably never buy , but I always feel a bit guilty with regard to the people who have to show the boat. I'm guessing that their patience diminishes as the show goes on. No reason of course why you shouldn't board them. Many boats are now visible on line via video tours etc 24hrs a day so you wonder if the costs of displaying boats is really cost effective . I have yet to visit a boat that is "by appointment only" but I would like to know what the criteria is

The day's of visiting boat shows for "brochures" and special chandlery deals are probably buried forever. As mentioned, it's a day out if the weather is bad but otherwise I'm sailing.

 

[Bouba]

I have yet to visit a boat that is "by appointment only" but I would like to know what the criteria is

Cannes boat show is in two ports (or two basins of the same port), the second basin is for superyachts. The passerelles are always raised just out of reach. My observation is that the invitation criteria is to arrive by helicopter

 

[PaulRainbow]

I thought you were not going to the show as the last time you visited, you bought a new boat. Times must be tough if you cannot afford £21 as I presume you are not a RYA member to get a free ticket.

Also did you need to make 5 posts in this thread, when your original would be sufficient.

May be I should be relieved you are not coming to the show as you will not be able to see my renovated 41 year old Westerly Fulmar.

I cannot see the need for such rudeness.

 

[Zing]

It’s also Cannes boat show time. I have noticed that all the offers of free tickets I used to get have been replaced by offers to sell me tickets. I guess that they need the money nowadays.
But while I agree that we have to get on with life, I don’t think we should go suicidal. Large crowds and cramped boats is a risk too far

It seems quite easy, just evidence of vaccination on your phone, but you will have to wear a mask. It may well be nice and quiet, which will make a welcome change.

 

[Blue Sunray]

ASAP have sent out a code to their mailing list for tickets @ £12:50 , it rather looks like British Marine are beginning to realise that they have a problem with visitor numbers this year.

 

[laika]

I have yet to visit a boat that is "by appointment only" but I would like to know what the criteria is

Really? It seems to be pretty much all of the bigger ones. But I realised a long time ago I am not successfully rocking the shabby chic tech billionaire look.

I go to Boot for the weekend, so accumulating appointments over 2 days on the Saturday morning is fine. It actually seems better than having to queue. At Southampton and the last London shows it definitely seemed to be an exclusion tactic. Woman with clipboard (and this job function is always gender specific) says “We can see you ….. next Thursday?”. I think it was the Gunfleet at one of the London shows where
I got that and just happened to be planning a second trip mid week, but obviously it’s generally just a way of saying “you don’t look like a customer go away”.

 

[MattS]

Accepting that there are some you can’t tour without a bank statement, I’d assumed most would be open viewing - have I made a bad assumption? ? I’m not going to spend the whole time viewing yachts I’ll never afford, but one or two would be nice…

 

[Bouba]

Accepting that there are some you can’t tour without a bank statement, I’d assumed most would be open viewing - have I made a bad assumption? ? I’m not going to spend the whole time viewing yachts I’ll never afford, but one or two would be nice…

My experience is that some manufacturers are more hospitable than others. Sometimes that’s just down to who has the clipboard that day. But Absolute are always absolutely charming and welcoming and Princess are good also, of course I haven’t done all the brands and like you I don’t go on boats out of my league ?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Whatever you lot say, we’ll be there on the first Saturday. We’ve got a long list of fairly healthy items to look for (new engine, generator water maker etc) so I’m hoping there will be some boat show discounts available.

 

[Kukri]

Yes, I’m going. With the family

In the Seventies I used to look at the Camper and Nicholson stand and admire their cabin tables. A mere half century later, I own one. It is a good table.

In the eighties I used to admire the Monitor wind vane. Ditto.

Etc.

I did once buy a life raft at a Show.

I find I have not one but five tubs of Blake’s Seacock Grease, every one bought at their stand. And a Blake’s Victory, not bought there…

My finest moment was at the Hempel’s stand, in the 2000s, when I handed over my business card and casually dropped into the conversation that I was about to dry dock a fleet of large container ships… they had the sense to know that grovelling to me would not get them my employers’ megabuck order but failing to grovel might cost it them, so for half an hour I was treated like the Julia Roberts character in the second boutique in “Pretty Woman”…???

 

[Clancy Moped]

We went to see 2 boats. One said not without an appointment even though they had no one on board at the time, so we bought the other one.

 

[Gary Fox]

ASAP have sent out a code to their mailing list for tickets @ £12:50 , it rather looks like British Marine are beginning to realise that they have a problem with visitor numbers this year.
[/QUOTE
Thanks I will have had one,

 

[pvb]

Also did you need to make 5 posts in this thread, when your original would be sufficient.

I'll make as many posts on an open forum as I want to, and totally ignore self-appointed forum police.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Whatever you lot say, we’ll be there on the first Saturday. We’ve got a long list of fairly healthy items to look for (new engine, generator water maker etc) so I’m hoping there will be some boat show discounts available.

The discounts are illusory I'm afraid and can usually be obtained at any time of year.

 

[fredrussell]

Someone needs to start a Manky Auld Boatshow. It’s not that I don’t like modern boats - I’d lose a kidney for one - it’s just I find boats ‘of a certain age’ more interesting. Owners of nice examples of various designs would be invited to bring them along, and rather than have someone try to sell you something, you could just waffle away happily with the owner aboard their boat.
And obviously, no Manky Auld Boatshow would be complete without a colossal boat jumble in the adjoining area. Heaven!

 

[laika]

The discounts are illusory I'm afraid and can usually be obtained at any time of year.

The opportunity to see what’s available and talk to knowledgable folk from yanmar, Volvo, beta etc. As well as see and touch the products is not

 

[Kukri]

Someone needs to start a Manky Auld Boatshow. It’s not that I don’t like modern boats - I’d lose a kidney for one - it’s just I find boats ‘of a certain age’ more interesting. Owners of nice examples of various designs would be invited to bring them along, and rather than have someone try to sell you something, you could just waffle away happily with the owner aboard their boat.
And obviously, no Manky Auld Boatshow would be complete without a colossal boat jumble in the adjoining area. Heaven!

Very sound idea!

 

[laika]

Owners of nice examples of various designs would be invited to bring them along, and rather than have someone try to sell you something, you could just waffle away happily with the owner aboard their boat.

Isn’t the main reason we’re all going to see concerto on the WOA stand?

Problem with a *dedicated* MAB show….people would be saying “Three pounds fifty, just to get in?!? @&£@££/ that!” and not go

 

[Snowgoose-1]

Really? It seems to be pretty much all of the bigger ones. But I realised a long time ago I am not successfully rocking the shabby chic tech billionaire look.

I go to Boot for the weekend, so accumulating appointments over 2 days on the Saturday morning is fine. It actually seems better than having to queue. At Southampton and the last London shows it definitely seemed to be an exclusion tactic. Woman with clipboard (and this job function is always gender specific) says “We can see you ….. next Thursday?”. I think it was the Gunfleet at one of the London shows where
I got that and just happened to be planning a second trip mid week, but obviously it’s generally just a way of saying “you don’t look like a customer go away”.

Cannes boat show is in two ports (or two basins of the same port), the second basin is for superyachts. The passerelles are always raised just out of reach. My observation is that the invitation criteria is to arrive by helicopter

Perhaps I should jettison my rucksack showing a thermos and hand made sandwiches. The freebie baseball cap and a free Daily Telegraph might be offputting as well. I once went on a grid walk at a btcc meeting but the promotions man suggested I left the rucksack in the garage.

 

[Concerto]

I cannot see the need for such rudeness.

I certainly do not consider I was being rude. pvb and I have major differences of opinions on boats and have clashed before. I try to be nonconfrontational but pvb had made the comment of only going to a boat show to buy a new boat in another thread on the boat show. He always recommends buying a new or recently built boat to anyone asking what to buy, despite the thousands of older boats that are available at lower prices, giving the impression that anyone should do as he does as if there is no other choice. My gibe about the £21 entrance is still very valid. If you look at how many posts pvb has made and see the reaction score, then look at my ratings and you will see who is more appreciated by forum members pvb is always very opinionated and enters discussions with which he has no connection, for example The end of the East Coast Mutual Yacht Insurance Association Limited. and look at post #92 on page 5.