London boat show 2015

[lionelz]

Ok went to the Southampton show for the first time this year and absolutely loved it. Was planning on going to the London one in 2015, am I going to be disappointed? Want to go on the fact finding mission to confirm what type of boat I should buy (will be second hand as cannot afford new). Comments would be much appreciated is it worth the entry fee and the train journey etc (live in Hampshire).

 

[Kittycarter]

I have been to both shows for the last three years. The Southampton one has a better atmosphere if the weather is good being outdoors. I still enjoy the london show. It is a bit smaller, but being January its nice to start the year looking at boats ad related gear. I have found most of the staff very chatty even when I told them i was looking to get a newer second hand boat. As to the cost, if it's worth it, that a personal thing. I enjoy the day out, so for me it's worth it.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Ok went to the Southampton show for the first time this year and absolutely loved it. Was planning on going to the London one in 2015, am I going to be disappointed? Want to go on the fact finding mission to confirm what type of boat I should buy (will be second hand as cannot afford new). Comments would be much appreciated is it worth the entry fee and the train journey etc (live in Hampshire).

In my view the London one isn't a patch on Southampton, but I'm more interested in yachts than motor boats... it's expensive to park, then you have to get to it and excel is in an awkward place to get to, then you have to pay to get in, and then you have to pay £4 a pint for Guiness.... (for me) only two of the previous applies to Southampton....

 

[paul salliss]

I have been to both shows for the last three years. The Southampton one has a better atmosphere if the weather is good being outdoors. I still enjoy the london show. It is a bit smaller, but being January its nice to start the year looking at boats ad related gear. I have found most of the staff very chatty even when I told them i was looking to get a newer second hand boat. As to the cost, if it's worth it, that a personal thing. I enjoy the day out, so for me it's worth it.

Perfectly summed up, and agree with you, people will moan and groan about London, but better than to get behind it and support the industry than slagging off the London show, after a long tough recession we are lucky to still have both

 

[paul salliss]

I have been to both shows for the last three years. The Southampton one has a better atmosphere if the weather is good being outdoors. I still enjoy the london show. It is a bit smaller, but being January its nice to start the year looking at boats ad related gear. I have found most of the staff very chatty even when I told them i was looking to get a newer second hand boat. As to the cost, if it's worth it, that a personal thing. I enjoy the day out, so for me it's worth it.

Perfectly summed up, and agree with you, people will moan and groan about London, but better than to get behind it and support the industry than slagging off the London show, after a long tough recession we are lucky to still have both

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

am I going to be disappointed?

If your mission is to fact find specifically on boats then you could be disappointed because the variety of boats exhibited at LIBS is significantly less than at SIBS. The 4 main UK brands (Sunseeker/Princess/Fairline/Sealine - yes I know its German owned!) generally have big stands with a good number of boats but there are far fewer other brands represented compared to SIBS. I would say that its still worth a trip but more to soak up the boaty atmosphere and to remind yourself that the new boating season starts only a few weeks later and the winter weather won't last for ever

 

[RIN]

Perfectly summed up, and agree with you, people will moan and groan about London, but better than to get behind it and support the industry than slagging off the London show, after a long tough recession we are lucky to still have both

We shouldn't have to support it - its not a charity. We haven't been for years because

a) Its at the the arse end of the country and difficult to get to and
b) Since most boaters only have older boats, with no prospect of owning a brand new one, there is little to engage with. Even if there were more chandlery items, by the time you add up the cost of travel, maybe staying over somewhere and paying for entrance to the show, you will be mightily out of pocket. Hence so much chandlery gear now bought on the tinternet.

If it is to survive, it needs to appeal to a much broader audience than it does at the moment.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I can never understand people's determination that Excel is difficult to get to from the South ... one tube from Waterloo to Canning Town on the Jubilee line, up a set of stairs to the DLR, two stops and it drops you at the door. Methinks some people, who have no intention of going, just like to slag it off.

 

[RIN]

You should try it from the West Midlands

 

[paul salliss]

Another example , moan , groan , yawn

 

[DougH]

If you don't like LIBS and its location then stay away.

I cannot stand the Soton show but I do not gripe about it.

If the gripers(?) stay away at least the rest of the visitors can enjoy it without being forced to listen to their whinging.

THE BOAT SHOW IS NOT JUST FOR YOU>

 

[paul salliss]

If you don't like LIBS and its location then stay away.

I cannot stand the Soton show but I do not gripe about it.

If the gripers(?) stay away at least the rest of the visitors can enjoy it without being forced to listen to their whinging.

THE BOAT SHOW IS NOT JUST FOR YOU>

I 100

 

[paul salliss]

DougH

I 100 percent agree with you

 

[RIN]

If you don't like LIBS and its location then stay away.

I cannot stand the Soton show but I do not gripe about it.

If the gripers(?) stay away at least the rest of the visitors can enjoy it without being forced to listen to their whinging.

THE BOAT SHOW IS NOT JUST FOR YOU>

Funnily enough I think you will find the Gripers will stay away so I expect you will have a whinge free visit.

Each to his own - I also hope you enjoy it. My comment was really about posts reckoning it was almost our duty to get behind it.

 

[rubberduck]

Go if you want, or stay away, everyone has the option. For what its worth it has more interest for me this year than it has for a while, & if it has survived the last few years I suspect it is here to stay.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

We shouldn't have to support it - its not a charity.

Agreed, LIBS is a commercial operation which has to attract customers just like any other business and doesn't deserve any special consideration. There's no question that the move to Excel from Earls Court precipitated the decline; I don't have any issues with Excel personally but for many people it's soulless, on the wrong side of London for most people, expensive and difficult to get to. I can see the attraction for the boating industry in that, being close to navigable water and with reasonable road links, it makes it easier to get boats to the show but that in itself doesn't make it any more attractive for visitors. The big problem for me is that declining visitor numbers and the recession has drastically cut the variety of boats you can see at LIBS. Sure the big 4 UK motorboat brands still support the show well but there needs to be a lot more variety and simply a lot more boats. Its even worse for the yachting fraternity as there is only a handful of yachts at the show now. The other big problem for LIBS is the Dusseldorf boat show which takes place only a few days after LIBS and which is just so much larger than LIBS. With shrinking sales and margins, boat manufacturers have to make choices between which shows to support and obviously Dusseldorf with its far larger visitor numbers is a much more attractive option for most of them. In the end, I don't think that the UK can support 2 international boat shows in a difficult market for the manufacturers and SIBS is going to win out. Personally, I will continue to attend LIBS because its only an hour's drive from my home and because it's an opportunity to meet up with friends but I don't go anymore to see the boats

 

[aquapower]

If you don't like LIBS and its location then stay away.

I cannot stand the Soton show but I do not gripe about it.

If the gripers(?) stay away at least the rest of the visitors can enjoy it without being forced to listen to their whinging.

THE BOAT SHOW IS NOT JUST FOR YOU>

Well put DougH, I used to work at the shows but although I don't anymore I still visit and have a good catch up with loads of contacts I have made over the years, I still go boating and consider the shows worth visiting as there's something there for anyone interested in boats at what ever level your at, this anti boat show post seems to appear every year about now and as said you have the choice whether to go or not, we all know its not a charity but I'm sure all the time people keep going it will be there, as for getting there, where ever it is it will be a long distance for some just like Southampton is for all that live up north.

 

[DougH]

Agreed, LIBS is a commercial operation which has to attract customers just like any other business and doesn't deserve any special consideration. There's no question that the move to Excel from Earls Court precipitated the decline; I don't have any issues with Excel personally but for many people it's soulless, on the wrong side of London for most people, expensive and difficult to get to. I can see the attraction for the boating industry in that, being close to navigable water and with reasonable road links, it makes it easier to get boats to the show but that in itself doesn't make it any more attractive for visitors. The big problem for me is that declining visitor numbers and the recession has drastically cut the variety of boats you can see at LIBS. Sure the big 4 UK motorboat brands still support the show well but there needs to be a lot more variety and simply a lot more boats. Its even worse for the yachting fraternity as there is only a handful of yachts at the show now. The other big problem for LIBS is the Dusseldorf boat show which takes place only a few days after LIBS and which is just so much larger than LIBS. With shrinking sales and margins, boat manufacturers have to make choices between which shows to support and obviously Dusseldorf with its far larger visitor numbers is a much more attractive option for most of them. In the end, I don't think that the UK can support 2 international boat shows in a difficult market for the manufacturers and SIBS is going to win out. Personally, I will continue to attend LIBS because its only an hour's drive from my home and because it's an opportunity to meet up with friends but I don't go anymore to see the boats

!) Earls Court was dirty, soulless, had lousy catering, no seating, terrible stand layout, atrocious parking, poor train connections, (Yes I know about the underground station at the main entrance), was expensive,had amateur stands and lots of chandlers offering supposed cut price gear that could be bought cheaper outside.

2) Located on the wrong side of London and difficult to get to for most of the interested population. More people live East of London than West of London. Thats why they say that the East of England is the most congested.

3) Agree that LIBS does not deserve any special consideration but since when have the organisers or the Big 4 asked for any?

4) The road links to LIBS are fantastic for everyone no matter where they are located, just better for some. Earls Court was a pigs ear for traffic and even worse for parking.

5) LIBS has excellent parking and first class catering with something for everyone. Compare that with Earls Court. (Please remove rose tinted glasses)

6) Dusseldorf is irrelevant to most LIBS visitors as only the most enthusiastic boaters go to Dusseldorf.

7) As you say most manufacturers cannot afford to attend boat shows due to the last few years of recession but just how many are failing to appear at LIBS that then book space at Dusseldorf.

8) Is LiBS really an International Boat Show or really a UK show for the UK market that many overseas people visit because they have houses/apartments in London and they buy boats.

9) It's a great Boat Show with good layouts where all boats can be seen without any problems at a time of the year when we all need a little lift.

10) My granddaughter who is boat mad is welcome on all the stands and has a terrific time. (Try that at SIBS).

11) Yes is unfortunate that that more sailing craft are not present but if there was we would have those obnoxious yachts walk around talking their loud voices as though they were master mariners.

Mike chill out and enjoy the show and be happy that things are starting to get better. I love to attend the Champagne stand and think it, and the Sunseeker stand are the best places to start any LIBS vista.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Earls Court was dirty, soulless, had lousy catering, no seating, terrible stand layout, atrocious parking, poor train connections, (Yes I know about the underground station at the main entrance), was expensive,had amateur stands and lots of chandlers offering supposed cut price gear that could be bought cheaper outside.

Yes but it had an exciting atmosphere that Excel totally lacks

Located on the wrong side of London and difficult to get to for most of the interested population. More people live East of London than West of London. Thats why they say that the East of England is the most congested.

Eh? I'm sure its very convenient for Essex boaters but nobody else

Dusseldorf is irrelevant to most LIBS visitors as only the most enthusiastic boaters go to Dusseldorf.
As you say most manufacturers cannot afford to attend boat shows due to the last few years of recession but just how many are failing to appear at LIBS that then book space at Dusseldorf.

Plenty. Go to Dusseldorf and you'll see many of the exhibitors who used to appear at LIBS but don't bother any more. Off the top of my head Grand Banks, Fleming, Azimut, Searay, Linssen to name a few. Dusseldorf is not irrelevant to LIBS visitors because LIBS visitors miss out on the exhibitors which aren't at LIBS any more

Is LiBS really an International Boat Show or really a UK show for the UK market that many overseas people visit because they have houses/apartments in London and they buy boats.

Exactly, its no longer an international boat show but has become an in house show for the big 4 mobo manufacturers and IMHO that isn't enough to sustain it

It's a great Boat Show with good layouts where all boats can be seen without any problems at a time of the year when we all need a little lift.

Mmm not sure that the ability to wander around at will due to lack of visitors is what the exhibitors are paying for

Yes is unfortunate that that more sailing craft are not present but if there was we would have those obnoxious yachts walk around talking their loud voices as though they were master mariners.

Yes small mercies

 

[DougH]

Yes but it had an exciting atmosphere that Excel totally lacks


Eh? I'm sure its very convenient for Essex boaters but nobody else Exactly, good for the South East, Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex (PART)


Plenty. Go to Dusseldorf and you'll see many of the exhibitors who used to appear at LIBS but don't bother any more. Off the top of my head Grand Banks, Fleming, Azimut, Searay, Linssen to name a few. Dusseldorf is not irrelevant to LIBS visitors because LIBS visitors miss out on the exhibitors which aren't at LIBS any more Then be happy that it still exists in its present form at least.


Exactly, its no longer an international boat show but has become an in house show for the big 4 mono manufacturers and IMHO that isn't enough to sustain it What is wrong with that, you have been saying it cannot be sustained for 2 or 3 years now.


Mmm not sure that the ability to wander around at will due to lack of visitors is what the exhibitors are paying for But the exhibitors that are there are there for a good reason. Orders .


Yes small mercies

January is not a great month to be sure to be sure, so go to LIBS and enjoy the show for what is there.