How is the Boat Show??

[Jabs]

Curious to read some feedback from the Excel show.

I found it an OK day out but not what it was, but I'm of that age!

Excel is not a convenient location for much of the community and costs of visiting, food and drink, hotels, expensive.

What do others think??

Was this the last one??

Tony

 

[Appledore]

I've copied this from a friend from another boaty site. I'm sure he won't mind(!!):

"I think I knew the answer before I went but I wouldn't have gone if I hadn't had a free ticket.

The floor space was approx 1/3 of the available Excel, last time I went they used almost 100% and had a couple of boats afloat.

There were a few, very few, sailing boats. Almost no traditional boat building despite advertising that there was.

On a positive note, I met some of the suppliers who I dream of buying from; a new outboard, a new suit of sails, some electronics and a liferaft. There were relatively few people there which was good for us but sad for the suppliers.


My ticket was free which was very much appreciated and I had a day out with Mrs

X but otherwise I wouldn't have wasted my time or money. "

 

[laika]

Excel is not a convenient location for much of the community

I believe we have this every year.

It's on the DLR, 6 separate bus routes and it's 20 minutes walk away from the easiest London international airport to traverse

 

[Jabs]

In my case, three hours and forty minutes by train and three changes.

I drove, same time but no lugging suitcases.

I can't fly there, no flights!

I firmly believe the location puts people off.

Comments!

Tony

 

[Biggles Wader]

I got a free ticket and I live in London. I took a pack lunch so the day out cost me nothing. It was a bargain. :encouragement:

 

[Graham_Wright]

NEC. Vote?

 

[Jabs]

NEC, yes please!

Tony

 

[Graham_Wright]

Can somebody post a poll? I'm obviously too thick.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I went on Wednesday but I was in London for business on Thursday, so went a day earlier with free RYA ticket. Travel costs and accommodation were picked up by company.

I specifically wanted to discuss refrigerators and freezers and see what the products looked like. That worked well and I have bought what I need for the space in the galley and understand what I need to make a freezer compartment in future. I also bought some small stuff. Discounts were small. I also wanted to discuss generator technical stuff with Panda and that was very useful and I now know with confidence what I need and what would fit in the space in the engine room. I tried to get some sense out of Garmin / Raymarine on instruments and auto helms but both were very disappointing to talk to and I thought they were disinterested in me and my needs. The Eberspacher guys were great and discussed heating plans even though I was only looking for trunking and have a Mikuni, they were a very helpful bunch. The guys at Chartco (Bookharbour) were great when it came to advice on updating my 2003 CMap card, they explained what can be done and what it costs, so I have left the card with them to update. I spent about £2k in total and saved around £400 based on enquiries last year. I liked the Rustler prepared for the Golden Globe and it gave me some ideas as well. The boats I looked at were as expected, nothing with wow factor, good or bad.

The Wednesday was very quiet. I enjoyed myself, I had a good look at stuff, got some ideas a bit sorted in my head, gasped at some prices for tat, avoided buying sharp knifes and subscribing to boxes of food, had a good look at garden studios and met my cousin from Cornwall, we had a few scoops and a good laugh in the waterside canal pub. Ate a tasty burger.

I knew what I was going for, so it served it's purpose very well and it was free.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Who could complain if it was free (someone else paid).
I've never been to libs but there are always complaints about SIBS which I have been to and enjoyed - it's a good day out but don't expect massive 'boat show discounts' these don't happen any more. It's also the only place you can compare products head to head so worth it if you're contemplating a big purchase.

 

[Capt. Clueless]

NEC. Vote?

No thanks, Excel London is easy, and the NEC an arse. I suppose it is down to your geographical location, that will be biased as to location.

 

[Bobc]

It is where it is because they want the city money. Move it to the NEC and you replace that with the Birmingham Navy!

 

[JumbleDuck]

"The floor space was approx 1/3 of the available Excel, last time I went they used almost 100% and had a couple of boats afloat."

Excel is - from memory - eleven "north" halls, eleven "south" halls and a couple of further spaces at the east end. I think the biggest boat show I ever went to there used three halls each side, and by the last one they were down to two or maybe three on the south side. I find it hard to believe that LIBS (or anything else) ever used the whole thing. The show I used to do there had 20,000 visitors per day and used four halls.

NEC, yes please!

I believe that the main reason against that is that the big vulgar gin palaces can't travel by road, so it has to be somewhere with sea access.

 

[laika]

NEC. Vote?

Do I not recall a couple of years ago YBW were organising a forumite's social evening some vocal people objected to things being too London-centric, it was put to a vote, somewhere northern "won", then no-one actually committed to going so it didn't happen?

Anyway, that aside....went today. I hadn't realised until a couple of days ago that it was only 5 days this year. I'm guessing it'll be the future. Footfall seemed to be sufficient to make it "buzzy" without being crowded and exhibitors I spoke to liked it: not much fewer sales but significantly fewer overheads. Fewer retailers this year: Marine Superstore was just a booth selling PLBs and AIS MOB devices. Piplers of poole who usually have the best deals on reeds were notably absent. A few years back I'd go on 2 days every year. This year I'd seen everything worth (for me) seeing in 4 hours. Speakers seemed better this year: Shame I missed thursday but they had some good speakers on the PBO "stage" today. As for the non-boaty tat: Everyone always exaggerates the amount that's there. But there *did* seem even more this year. Did the helicopter count as boaty? I don't think I could get it on the back deck of an oceanlord which surely counts as the PBO version of a superyacht?

 

[Pye_End]

Spend a day look and talking about boats/equipment/developments/etc etc or a day working/gardening/housework/whatever. The answer is easy. Enjoyed the day as every year, though some of the absences were irritating as far as my 'list' was concerned. Still a successful day though.

Can't help feeling that the annual forum negativity about LIBS makes decline a self fulfilling prophecy. Use it or lose it.

 

[laika]

Can't help feeling that the annual forum negativity about LIBS makes decline a self fulfilling prophecy. Use it or lose it.

In fairness the negativity itself seems to have declined this year. Usually everyone who was never going to go anyway is rushing to post how they aren't going to go as it's rubbish compared with earls court in the days when Tom Howard was building boats. This year hardly at all.

I should point out to bargain seekers that the bottle of Goslings you get free with a 6 month subscription to a YBW mag would cost rather more than the subscription if you bought it in waitrose.

 

[roblpm]

I believe we have this every year.

It's on the DLR, 6 separate bus routes and it's 20 minutes walk away from the easiest London international airport to traverse

And as of next year or the next when Crossrail opens on a direct train line to points east and west.

 

[Pords]

Decided to give it miss this year after speaking to a few club members who have been. Noticed year on year this show was getting smaller and more interested in the gin palace fraternity then raggies. Also there wasn’t a lot of stands that warranted the cost and inconvenience of travelling up to London. If there something i want or need the internet is more than suitable for information, plus i can shop around with a click of the mouse and there’s plenty of local suppliers if need to get my hands on a bit of kit.

 

[Blue Sunray]

Piplers of poole who usually have the best deals on reeds were notably absent.

Hardly surprising since they were bought by Force 4 two years ago.

 

[laika]

Hardly surprising since they were bought by Force 4 two years ago.

I could be wrong but I think it still existed as a brand at last year's show. (and the web site is still up). Maybe I should revise my comment to "No Force 4"? I stand by my impression of "fewer retailers". Marine Superstore and Andark have had huge stands selling clothing for as long as I've been going to boat shows (probably rather less time than many of you). This year it was only Andark.