London boat show 2015

[henryf]

Southampton and London are different shows. It's much cheaper to sail or motor a boat round to Southampton then tie up to a pontoon and show your wares than it is haul the boat out, get it into the arena and then build a suitable stand so inevitably there will be fewer niche market boats on display in London.

For manufacturers looking to attract new / build on existing relationships London offers foreign visitors easy air transport and a world class city to visit. Asia will come to London.

For UK visitors although it seems like a pain getting to Excel the roads are actually very good from the M25 and I have never sat in traffic. Park underneath the exhibition, walk straight up into the show and enjoy my day. If you are a genuine customer I would be surprised if you have to pay to get in. You will have to buy lunch but you'll get a cup of tea and a sticky bun courtesy of your manufacturer.

When I can go I enjoy my day at Excel.

In terms of sheer access to boats nothing beats the great British boat builders show in Swanwick and it is there where comparisons can be made. It is also virtually free for the manufacturers in comparison to London or Southampton but it doesn't have anything like the marketing clout of London. Nice though Bursledon is it doesn't quite have the international pulling power of our great Capital city.

Henry

 

[jfm]

Yup, my $0.02 is that I like the London show. Travel there is easy for me and anyone based in the City - 20mins in a cab (or an Uber, these days) - but I'd still go even if the travel were more difficult. I do not find Excel "soul-less". It is basically a very big shed in a place big boats can reach by water not road, which is all I want for a boat show. And 30mins cab ride from one the greatest cities in the world adds to the appeal

 

[oGaryo]

Met up with Rafiki today who has convinced me I should attend. The word Guinness was mentioned

 

[rafiki_]

Met up with Rafiki today who has convinced me I should attend. The word Guinness was mentioned

Good man Gary. Commitment is the word

Actually I quite enjoy LIBS. Excell is not so hard to get to by either car or rail. It is a nice compact event, no you don't need a rucksack and sleeping bag to do it justice. Never had a problem getting on the stands, and always a good chance of hooking up with forumites.

 

[Fantasie 19]

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>

To be fair the OP did ask for opinions on the London Boat Show....

 

[EME]

My show to just hang around, not work, look at Boats, meet up with old friends, catch a few drinks/ meals in the capital of the world and basically make the most out of a month that has little other boating appeal.

My favourite show as I get to see everything that is great about British MY boatbuilders and they deserve our attendance.

This year ( if the jungle drums are right) all 3 of the big guys have New offerings. BWhy would we miss it? LT won't put me off and the price nothing compared to what will be spent on alcohol / food.

 

[DougH]

To be fair the OP did ask for opinions on the London Boat Show….

And I gave him my opinion.:encouragement:

Mind you my remarks were not aimed at the OP but at the ANNUAL moaners.

 

[lionelz]

Well went the show yesterday and absolutely loved it (last day of show), in many ways thought it was better that the Southampton show, I got there for the opening and was basically kicked out at the end and wished we could of stayed longer. Loved the princess boat (way out of my price range) (great design and build quality)very disappointed with the sunseeker, Broom and the fairline range (poor design and build quality) (again all out of my price range) Loved the design of the Elan range especially the 30 footer. Liked the Bayliner and the Quicksilver active. Almost bought a boat second hand of a guy who was at the bayliner stand looking to upgrade his boat, Strange how life and luck works. He has my card and hopefully he will get in touch with me and we can do a deal.

Well now actively looking for the boat to get me on the water for this summer, so I had better be getting on the website's trying to get some viewings booked.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Loved the princess boat (way out of my price range) (great design and build quality)very disappointed with the sunseeker, Broom and the fairline range (poor design and build quality) (again all out of my price range)

We went on Saturday ourselves and came away with the same impression. Princess seem to have upped their game in recent years whilst many of the others seemed to have dumbed their game down in search of cost savings. We were wowed by the Princess 68 but why oh why are all the boat builders ditching internal steps to the flybridge, even as an option?

 

[kcrane]

Loved the design of the Elan range especially the 30 footer.

I was surprised by the Elan boats too - there was a lot of boat in the 30 footer for the money and the woodwork in the 42ft boat was lovely, they carpentry had some curves which seem to have disappeared from other boats, I suspect that is more to do with cost-cutting than with modern edgy aesthetics.

Despite myself I also liked the Sunseeker 57, vast amounts of glass and accommodation, but as usual lacked handholds and fiddles. The 50ft Monte Carlo was also interesting. The quality was a world above regular Benetteau (not surprisingly for the money of course) but then there would be odd bits that let it back down again, like the cover over the rope bin on the stern quarters, which was a flimsy single skin GRP moulding. Did anyone find the fridge on the MC?

 

[lionelz]

Also what the hell was that 4d experience, What a load of s@@t whoever gave that the go ahead should hang their head in shame, absolutely pathetic, just pleased I did not have to queue for it

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Also what the hell was that 4d experience, What a load of s@@t whoever gave that the go ahead should hang their head in shame, absolutely pathetic, just pleased I did not have to queue for it

Agree entirely. I bet the organisers paid some 'installation' company a load of money for that bollox

 

[lionelz]

Agree entirely. I bet the organisers paid some 'installation' company a load of money for that bollox

lol I wanted to say that but thought maybe not, Where was the 4D in that, **** lighting outside Bet I could of provided better) and a small puff of smoke that was it how was that 4D. Even the subject projected was boring. we all left and as we came out said the same, what a waste of time.

 

[jrudge]

Show was good - the drinks even better. Never did the 4d experience, but did walk through the rain shower at the beginning that will magically stop as you walk through. Oh no it didn't. Not for me, SWMBO, the guy to the side of me and the guy who followed me ( who saw me get wet but did it anyway!)

 

[lionelz]

Show was good - the drinks even better. Never did the 4d experience, but did walk through the rain shower at the beginning that will magically stop as you walk through. Oh no it didn't. Not for me, SWMBO, the guy to the side of me and the guy who followed me ( who saw me get wet but did it anyway!)

I had the same experience with my mate going first then my son, I quickly changed direction and walked round it. Much too their annoyance

 

[jrudge]

There was also some YTS trainee mopping up water.

I am sure it seemed a great idea when someone proposed it!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

YTS trainee

Showing your age there J...