LIBS; is it worth attending?

Becky

Becky

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Went to SIBS; didn't find it all that exciting. Rather the reverse, actually. looked at a couple of new yachts, and one looked like it was from Ikea. Rubbish.

Would like to know the best ways of downloading weather faxes and grib files while at sea, and that is roughly about all.

There is always something you discover you cannot go sailing without, despite never needing it in the past. One such example is a man-overboard alarm worn by each watchkeeper on deck. Still not as effective a a thin line round HWMBO's big toe, IMHO, tied to my lifejacket /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So, how many of you guys are going? And more importantly, how many are planning to give it a miss?
 
I went to SIBS, spent 4 days there in total, had an excellent time, and still didnt see everything I wanted to see....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have never been to Excel, but would like to one day....
 
I was going to go - lots of things we want - however if you know what you want then you can get better deals on the internet (plus you save the costs of transport, accomodation & tickets!).

That said, if your after information on a type of product (ie which VHF) its a great place to visit. Also, from past experience a really good day out.

For us, however, the costs of getting there and back outweigh the savings we could make, hence internet shopping it is - shame though as if funds allowed it would be a great day out.

Jonny
 
Missed SIBS as I was in Turkey. Will be going to LIBS, probably Monday & Thursday. Monday on my own to search out some bits and pieces. Thursday with SWMBO just for a day out and to look at a few boats.
 
I had to ban myself from LIBS once I got my own boat. Too much temptation to buy useless junk or overpriced items for the boat....
 
[ QUOTE ]
Would like to know the best ways of downloading weather faxes and grib files while at sea, and that is roughly about all.

[/ QUOTE ]
satellite phone such as globalstar for grib, nasa hf rx for faxes.
 
Probably not, I live in Norfolk which is obviously closer to London than to Southampton. But, I still make the trip down to Southampton as it is a far better atmosphere and a lot more interesting/fun (despite those bloody footbridges).

LIBS is just a repeat exercise with less boats and sunshine.
Lets face it most visitors are boaties who want to treat an IBS as a good opportunity to see whats new and get a good bargain or moan at the salesman about the durability or lack of, of the crap they bought last year!

Presumably all the extra facilities ? such as somewhere to bleedin sit at LIBS will drive up exhibitor stand costs and hence bargains will be harder to find.

I personally can't see the entertainment in engine component changing speed trials while some muppet on a pa gets a little too excited about the whole thing, or some dodgy anchor setting demo, or even a fog tunnel.....fer chrissakes you already know it will end in tears if you can't see your own elbow.

Please can we have say a SIBS for boaties and boats, bargains and beer and then LIBS for decent entertainment, huge tv screens of open 60's tearing across oceans crewed by amazons, semi naked models demonstating anything, a heads unblocking competition, anything non PC, and more beer, or how about a nanny stater hurling competition followed by shoving a gaggle of risk assessment writers in a fog tunnel and shouting fire.

Question - does anyone ever buy those very nicely made but incredibly expensive French plasticraft ornaments/lampstandards contain assorted divers, gaffers, and nauticalia? just wondered.
 
It's quite a while since I last went. Usually bought a few items on a deal, but with the internet, why bother? Costs a fortune, need to get up dead early, spend hours in a bus, then nowhere to sit at the show. Food is generally poor quality and prices ridiculous (hence I carry my own with me - end up picnic-ing on the floor somewhere).

There's no way I would ever buy a new boat, even if I won the lottery (which I don't do either!). I'd much rather spend the time in a harbour/ boatyard/ moorings or anchorage (OK at a push, even a marina - yeuch!) looking at real boats & chatting to owners. Problem with marinas tho' is altho' there are lots of boats, they always seem to be abandoned!

So I won't be going - again; & I won't miss it either, it so completely fails to hit MY spot! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
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. Still not as effective a a thin line round HWMBO's big toe, IMHO, tied to my lifejacket /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Wrong part of the anatomy if you really want to get his immediate attention!
 
For me, the opportunity to avoid Excel is too good to miss. SIBS has a much better atmosphere & is much easier to get too.

Check around the web & you will see that all the swindleries put their prices up before LIBS.

Take in the fresh air at Southampton.

Martin
 
Thought pretty much the same as you Becky, unles you're buying a new boat forget it. As a day out it's mundane. We need new foul weather + radar and thought the discount would be nice but by the time you travel/food/entrance fee the 'thrill' of the show isn't worth it. Agree on the Ikea bit saw Moody a year or two ago and the screw heads (they didn't look brass or stainless) for the cabin sole were showing; no countersinks in sight, the wood looked very MFI. A possible stay overnight would definitely do away with any savings from 'show' offers and we have all the free gifts from the credit card companies - so no, we're not going. Internet shopping is easier and you don't have to keep putting your shoes back on!
 
[ QUOTE ]
There is always something you discover you cannot go sailing without, despite never needing it in the past.

[/ QUOTE ] Yes bit like those little catalogues you get from time to time; as you read through you realise how empty your life is without all this junk, that is until the end and you throw it away without a second thought
 
Usually buy most of the things I need off t'internet but as this year's Christmas prezzie to myself is intended to be a pair of Dubarry Ultimas it's useful to be able to actually stick your feet into a pair before you buy.

I want new PC plotting software to get me to the Channel Islands this year so good opportunity to try as many as possible in one place. Also, require new flubber dinghy......... possibly Lodestar but willing to be persuaded otherwise by any cost-cutting salespersons of other brands.

I have checked out prices for the items I want and if they don't better them at the show then they won't get my business.

Truth is, I actually enjoy the day out........... oh, and they were kind enough to send me a complementary ticket when I booked for the RYA VIP day /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Cheers,
Paul.
 
I'll be going, as it's the first time we've had any of our products at the show, well displayed....(last year they were underneath a boat almost out of sight, or at least you had to get on your hands and knees to see them)

The detectives amongst you can find the stand I'm sure.
 
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