Going To The Boat Show ?

We are heading off with the family (all four crew wedged in the car, plus the first mate). Everyone is looking forward to it (apart from the two hour drive each way). I’ve got a list of things I need to look at, discuss and buy. It’s a good day out and I like supporting the show - if we do not, it’ll go the way of the London show.

Where are you at the show Concerto?? Did you sail her down there from HQ?
 
Just got back and I’m shattered. It was a great show, managed to look around 14 boats which I think is a record for us.

I would say the visitor numbers were close to pre-pandemic levels, it felt pretty busy but this might be because the footprint of the show was smaller. lot’s of people willing to have quality conversations and give advice like always.

There was a distinct lack of the usual exhibitors though and the lack of chandlers selling was a shame.

worth It? In my view, very much so.
 
Gixer said:
Just got back and I’m shattered. It was a great show, managed to look around 14 boats which I think is a record for us.

I would say the visitor numbers were close to pre-pandemic levels, it felt pretty busy but this might be because the footprint of the show was smaller. lot’s of people willing to have quality conversations and give advice like always.

There was a distinct lack of the usual exhibitors though and the lack of chandlers selling was a shame.

worth It? In my view, very much so.
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what were the check in arrangements? The NHS app that SBS mention isnt available to us in Wales so alkl we can get is a printed QR code and what that shows we can only guess.
 
They just had a quick look at the evidence you had for the lateral flow test.
My daughter and myself had texts from the NHS on my phone and that was fine. Didn’t need the app.
 
MagicalArmchair said:
We are heading off with the family (all four crew wedged in the car, plus the first mate). Everyone is looking forward to it (apart from the two hour drive each way). I’ve got a list of things I need to look at, discuss and buy. It’s a good day out and I like supporting the show - if we do not, it’ll go the way of the London show.

Where are you at the show Concerto?? Did you sail her down there from HQ?
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late reply. I am on berth M156 which is opposite the Try a Boat section on the SW corner of the marina.

Concerto was lifted back into the water on Tuesdy 31 August in an unfit state to sail and then sailed on Thursday straight to Eastbourne and covered the approximately 90 miles in 16 hours 20 minutes, lock to lock. The following day I sailed for the Hamble. 2 days working in Port Hamble to sand and compound the coachroof sides then had to move to Mercury Marina for 3 days and I then repainted the decks (using 3½ rolls of masking tape!) Moved in to the show marina on Thursday late morning.

Today was incredibly busy and I never stepped off Concerto after the show opened at 9.30 until after it closed at 6.30, spending virtually all the day in the cabin. Could not have any lunch until 2.30 and whilst eating I still chatted with 7 people.

If you did not visit today, do come and pop on Concerto.
 
Concerto said:
Concerto was lifted back into the water on Tuesdy 31 August in an unfit state to sail and then sailed on Thursday straight to Eastbourne and covered the approximately 90 miles in 16 hours 20 minutes, lock to lock. The following day I sailed for the Hamble. 2 days working in Port Hamble to sand and compound the coachroof sides then had to move to Mercury Marina for 3 days and I then repainted the decks (using 3½ rolls of masking tape!) Moved in to the show marina on Thursday late morning.
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Thats given me some encouragement for my winter projects list. I've spent 3 years not painting mine!
 
We had a great visit. By the time we wrestled the kids in the car and completed the 2 hour drive, it was close on to 2pm, however, we still had plenty of time to see what we wanted to.

I had some probing questions for Raymarine, who were incredible on the stand. Friendly, informed, very patient with the kids (they even gave them some of their stand supplies chocolate bars from their fridge) and answered all of my (many) questions. I had been considering ditching Raymarine in favour of other brands, the stand changed my view.

I wanted to talk folding props with Darglow, and seeing the props and working them in your hands and talking face to face with the experts in this field was an eye opener, and changed my mind on the decision of prop.

I spoke to Icom also, who showed me all their radios and then nipped over to the lovely folk at Cactus to buy what the Icom bits I needed.

We then descended to the pontoons to torment some boats. The Hallberg Rassy 50 we visited (and yes, I am dreaming - perhaps in a few years!) was very welcoming indeed, and surprisingly the Bavaria's (our Mirage is a Bavaria 40) that are usually very welcoming looked horrified by our descent upon their boats (I can hardly blame them!), so Liz took them straight back off.

All told, it was a tiring day, but well worth it. The Covid rules were sensible and the organisation pretty good. Shame we didn't see you Concerto! At £5 a ticket, with all my many children, I doubt after the spend at Cactus we'd be able to afford the visit anyway ?.
 
MagicalArmchair said:
We had a great visit. By the time we wrestled the kids in the car and completed the 2 hour drive, it was close on to 2pm, however, we still had plenty of time to see what we wanted to.

I had some probing questions for Raymarine, who were incredible on the stand. Friendly, informed, very patient with the kids (they even gave them some of their stand supplies chocolate bars from their fridge) and answered all of my (many) questions. I had been considering ditching Raymarine in favour of other brands, the stand changed my view.

I wanted to talk folding props with Darglow, and seeing the props and working them in your hands and talking face to face with the experts in this field was an eye opener, and changed my mind on the decision of prop.

I spoke to Icom also, who showed me all their radios and then nipped over to the lovely folk at Cactus to buy what the Icom bits I needed.

We then descended to the pontoons to torment some boats. The Hallberg Rassy 50 we visited (and yes, I am dreaming - perhaps in a few years!) was very welcoming indeed, and surprisingly the Bavaria's (our Mirage is a Bavaria 40) that are usually very welcoming looked horrified by our descent upon their boats (I can hardly blame them!), so Liz took them straight back off.

All told, it was a tiring day, but well worth it. The Covid rules were sensible and the organisation pretty good. Shame we didn't see you Concerto! At £5 a ticket, with all my many children, I doubt after the spend at Cactus we'd be able to afford the visit anyway ?.
Click to expand...
Come on board when I return to Chatham, no admission charge. ? ? ?
 
Nice day at the show yesterday, not too crowded and exhibitors seemed to have plenty of time to talk to me, which to me was the reasons for going. It was nice to meet Roger and view Concerto. The only downside was the bloody long walk to the entrance and the horrible greasy burger that I had for lunch :)
A couple of free beers and free parking from MDL was also a nice touch.
 
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