I went to LIBS and survived, but...

[skyflyer]

I went despite all the doom-mongers on this forum, but have to confess I was rather disappointed and I question how long this show can last;

Outside in the 'used boat' section nothing but a couple of demonstrators and a couple of boats with 'history' or being used to sell places on trips to Azores, Caribbean etc.

Indoors it seems at least 50% of the exhibitors were either selling holidays, (bareboat charter, flotilla etc) or non boaty stuff (massage beds, dining room furniture)

The usual two or three big chandleries and clothing suppliers but really no great deals to be had. Little in the way of new boats either.

In short - when you add in the cost of travel, maybe accommodation, entrance fees and so on, you have more than offset any saving you could have made there, or savings on delivery charges from buying online.

I suppose the one big advantage is you get to see the product before you buy (as opposed to ordering online) and can compare similar products from different suppliers but essentially nothing there that you wouldn't find online at the same or better price.

In fact one chandlery there (which shall remain nameless for the time being, until I get a response! to my complaint!) was selling an item at nearly double the manufacturers RRP and over double what you would buy it for online!

Dusseldorf for me next year I think!

(I know, I know - you told me so...

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I am waiting at London City Airport to return to Scotland after visiting the boat show. It's a first for me; wouldn't do it again. However, I wanted to see plastic teak decks and that was worth it; real differences between the suppliers. The Copper Coat man described old GRP and Epoxy coating issues very well and described how to ensure his product is applicable or not. I was also interested in new sail quotes and water tight doors for collision bulkheads. I got all my questions answered and some more. I didn't find enclosed fair leads or bulkhead interior lamps or new LED navigation lights, all of which I need now.

I enjoyed the show, the sailing boats were disappointing, the small motor boats were interesting, the chandlers were a poor show by far, Roger Taylor is an interesting bloke, a good pint from the Guinness Tent.

A couple of the exhibitors stated that they heard Sunseeker will not be back and they had a huge stand. I am glad I went, it was a good weekend with my boy in London but there was no 'wow' factor.

 

[slipknot]

I went yesterday.

More jaccuzis than sailing boats

More cars than sailing boats

Now a Motor Yacht show

I was done in 3 hours including 2 Guinness

 

[Hobnob]

I went despite all the doom-mongers on this forum, but have to confess I was rather disappointed and I question how long this show can last;

Indoors it seems at least 50% of the exhibitors were either selling holidays, (bareboat charter, flotilla etc) or non boaty stuff (massage beds, dining room furniture)

The usual two or three big chandleries and clothing suppliers but really no great deals to be had. Little in the way of new boats either.

Sounds like only the high-margin businesses can afford to attend - are the organisers taking note?

I went last year but was likewise disappointed. This year I am doing the Beale show - smaller, more child-friendly and also much more focussed on my real-life boating needs (namely drascombes, outboards, masts, spray hoods, maintenance stuff).

 

[Richard Shead]

This is better than stand up comedy.....

 

[[70521]]

It's well passed its use by date, as a boat show. Perhaps the company organising it understand that and are filling the space with other stuff?

With cheap air travel Dusseldorf and Paris are just as easy to get to.

 

[KellysEye]

> I question how long this show can last;

That's good question, the visitor numbers have been in decline for three years, so it could be a matter of time.

 

[[70521]]

That's good question, the visitor numbers have been in decline for three years, so it could be a matter of time.

I suspect there will be a press release reporting "record numbers" quite soon

 

[silver-fox]

Well doomsayers, We are going next week, (SWMBO and I) travelling down from the frozen North and staying overnight at the CA.

My motivation? We need to re-upholster, we need replacement teak or imitation in the cockpit, we need new door handles and light fittings and my radar/GPS is past its best. - oh and the sails are a bit baggy.

I could buy this lot off the internet but I would rather see it in the flesh before I do. Normally I arrive when the place opens and am still shopping when it closes.

Negatives? Yep a few..mainly being charged £16 for 2 pints of Guinness and 2 pasties. You can have a fortnight in Blackpool for that.

I go most years and value the advice I get and the products I buy.

 

[Norman_E]

I went yesterday, and after going every year since about 2004, this is likely to be my last time. About a third of the hall was taken up by the Sailing boat side, two thirds power boats, but the latter included cars and luxury goods. On the sail boat side there were at least four wine merchants in addition to various other non boat related things. Outside the "marina" was half empty with very few sail boats. I think there were three second hand ones for sale, plus two big boats in the berth selling business. The most interesting marine item is the old ship on a barge on the other side of the dock. I would like to know its history.

On the plus side I met Richard Shead, and the man who had skippered my Comp Crew course years ago. In addition I bought nothing, because there was nothing I wanted that was not cheaper outside.

I too wonder if the show will survive. I only went for a day out, but as days out go its a long drive with expensive parking, poor catering, and now not a lot to see.

 

[ChattingLil]

we also went today.

It was a different show for us as this year we were back to basics as we are considering going the dark side (mobo) so were back in the zone of looking at boats that we can't afford but getting ideas. Such as I did when we didn't own a sail boat. The point is that this was the first time in at least 4 years that we actually went on any boats and had a look about.

We also looked at some new sails for Artemis, some nav lights, boat mattresses, deck paints, vents and hatches. We all bought new sunglasses , hwmo got some bargain deck shoes and a hat. Friend bought torches, safety knife and other stuff for an upcoming charter holiday. we also checked out the charter companies to see if it was worth booking our upcoming holiday so early or whether we should have waited for last-minute discounts.

Anyway, I guess that the show was interesting to me as I am both a raggie and potential mobo. Hwmo is not particularly interested in either, he likes the gear and looking at the hovercraft and gizmo stuff as does the teenager in the family.

Don't know where the cars and jacuzzis were. Didn't see them. Did see one stand selling patio furniture and one selling massage thingies. Otherwise, all pretty standard stuff.

Brought a packed lunch so no need to feel ripped off over pasties. Carpark paid in advance for a tenner - bargain considering four of us in the car. We are local and will miss the LIBS if it fails. It's a shame as it works for us.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

It seems I made the correct decision not to go this year, having decided it was not value for money last year. Now SIBS is an entirely different matter! I thought last years effort was really good and have already pencilled in to go in Sept.

 

[maxi77]

Negatives? Yep a few..mainly being charged £16 for 2 pints of Guinness and 2 pasties. You can have a fortnight in Blackpool for that.

You haven't been to Blackpool lately then

 

[Otter]

I suspect there will be a press release reporting "record numbers" quite soon

Each year since it left Earls Court visitor numbers have declined but each year the PR people tell us that the "quality" of the visitors is up. Stand by for the same this year.

Apparently Earls Court was horrible. Not how I remember it and since it left, the show appears to be in terminal decline. Despite this ExCeL is apparently much better.

 

[uxb]

I made the decision not to return after making the effort to go to last years LIBS.

The best part of that trip was the dinner we had out while waiting for our train home...

I really enjoyed the trips down to Earls Court and always had a great day out but the 'new' show is a shadow that. The location is not doing it any favours both in location and total lack of atmosphere, not to mention lack of boats, boat equipment and an overload of non boaty tat.

Last year I went to the Southampton show and had a really good day out and plan to return this year - despite it being a bit more of a pain to get to for me. Hopefull LIBS will die off and Southampton will take up the slack to become what Earls Court used to be.

 

[Seven Spades]

What do you all expect. No one is buying new sailing boats from what I can gather with the possible exception of Southerlies. Why would anyone want to exhibit without an expectation of making sales at the end of it. I think it is going to be a long time before this industry recovers. Look on the bright side the costs of marina berthing is going to lag inflation and earnings.

How many of you have expectations that your offspring will become fist time buyers in London in their mid 20's as I am most of my peers? The you have to add a number of years before they are able to get enough disposable income to be able to make discretionary spending to buy a new French boat etc.

The irony is that Earls Court would be a much better venue given the long term prospects for this show given its reduced size and popularity. The problem is that Earls Court is going t be demolished shortly.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

What do you all expect. ....

I expected a lot more equipment.

 

[Ceejay]

Possibly the internet makes it much less attractive for retailers to show and sell their wares at venues such as LBS. Southampton is a more pleasant location and also held at a more clement time of year weather-wise.
Have to say I much prefer Southampton, and gave up on London years ago after two less than enjoyable visits.
CJ

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Went today and it is half the size with only one hall. TBH I prefer a good boat jumble BUT for researching major equipment buys it is worth it. I haven't yet tried SIBS but it s next on the list

 

[maxi77]

What do you all expect. No one is buying new sailing boats from what I can gather with the possible exception of Southerlies. Why would anyone want to exhibit without an expectation of making sales at the end of it. I think it is going to be a long time before this industry recovers. Look on the bright side the costs of marina berthing is going to lag inflation and earnings.

How many of you have expectations that your offspring will become fist time buyers in London in their mid 20's as I am most of my peers? The you have to add a number of years before they are able to get enough disposable income to be able to make discretionary spending to buy a new French boat etc.

The irony is that Earls Court would be a much better venue given the long term prospects for this show given its reduced size and popularity. The problem is that Earls Court is going t be demolished shortly.

Is it perhaps more that the cost structure of Excel is much more aligned to the boom years that the present. As a result many exhibitors are looking for alternative ways of marketing their products.

Earls Court was a more convenient location for many even if it was outdated and probably could now provide a more reasonable cost structure to exhibitors, though the site is probably now worth much more as a residential development so thus out of the window.

I suspect the recession has exposed the fatal flaw in Excel and we are seeing the lingering death of LIBS. When I lived in the south I was a regular visitor to Earls Court and Southampton but always found Southampton more enjoyable.

I suspect in the present climate we can probably only really afford one show in the UK and SIBS is most likely to be the winner