London Boat Show, or Not

[Cardo]

But on the whole, I’ve taken into account the various comments and feel maybe couple of days in town might be the best option. I do think though that driving is best – stupid isn’t it that the car is still the cheapest and easiest way to get about? Not that I’m saying cars should be more expensive, heck no, only that buses, tubes and trains are so stupidly priced now.

Well, hopefully see you there, unless someone persuades me otherwise

Sad that even though I don't have to pay for the train/tube, I still often prefer to take the car! Shows how awful our public transport system really is.

I also will be going to the LIBS by car, however a big reason for that is we intend to do a lot of purchasing and don't fancy hauling it all back on the train!

 

[maby]

...
I also will be going to the LIBS by car, however a big reason for that is we intend to do a lot of purchasing and don't fancy hauling it all back on the train!

And they say there's a recession on!

 

[Cardo]

And they say there's a recession on!

Rather enjoy the little money we have than see the banks give us pitiful rates of interest on it!

 

[FishyInverness]

I also will be going to the LIBS by car, however a big reason for that is we intend to do a lot of purchasing and don't fancy hauling it all back on the train!

You just made me recall my favourite memory from any boat show, ever! A young lad, early 20's or so, wanting to buy our last remaining 2.6mtr inflatable which was inflated, set up and on display. He patiently waited on the last day to the end of the show for it to be re-packed into the Valise. Duly straps it to his back (about 3/4 his size) and we asked him where he'd parked....

"Nah mate, I came in from Surrey on the train, i'm heading for the tube now!"

Also Rafiki, THANKYOU! I've been lost for words trying to describe the difference between SIBS and LIBS for years and haven't been able to...Synthetic is the perfect word! (And that's not necessarily in a bad way)

 

[oldgit]

Tsh.........

Some of us are merely grateful that there ARE two shows to go to and thankful that even after 50 odd years of boating,am still interested enough in boating to look forward to them both.

 

[Sheppy]

What’s worrying me now more than travelling to LIBS is that on the way back from being on my boat this morning I stopped at the boat brokers and had a good look round a very nice Etap 24i sailing boat - very nice indeed and cheap to run too. What was I thinking?

 

[maby]

What’s worrying me now more than travelling to LIBS is that on the way back from being on my boat this morning I stopped at the boat brokers and had a good look round a very nice Etap 24i sailing boat - very nice indeed and cheap to run too. What was I thinking?

All the money you could save in fuel? How much further you could afford to go?

 

[jfm]

Some of us are merely grateful that there ARE two shows to go to and thankful that even after 50 odd years of boating,am still interested enough in boating to look forward to them both.

Yup me too Oldgit. Loads of things you need to go to in life (weddings funerals n boat shows, plus your own boat) can be a 3 hour trip to somewhere not perfectly located near your home town. Either drive, or get someone else to (which includes trains, taxis, etc) and have a snooze or send those 100 emails that you're behind on. If you've bought a boat recently ask for a Rangie. But whatever you do it's a massive shed full of sparkly boats with opportunity to look around, so you can buy a boat if you want to or just window shop, and meet up for beers with folks you haven't seen for a few months. In a number of respects it's worse than SIBS and Cannes, but don't worry that it's not perfect. Just go and have a nice time

 

[aquapower]

I havnt missed a London or Southampton show in at least the last 15 years, I feel they are part of boating.
Keep on supporting them and they can keep them going.
Its allways a good place to catch up with others I dont see very often.

 

[oldgit]

Shows......Use em or lose em !


Something that fascinates me is...... What happens AFTER it suddenly dawns on you ............... You ARE that overpaid GIT with the biggest boat on the marina

 

[ari]

Exactly that OG. LBS visitor numbers have been dwindling for years, now exhibitor numbers are going the same way.

I'll be visiting whilst I still can, I've a feeling it won't be around for ever, maybe even for long...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I'll be visiting whilst I still can, I've a feeling it won't be around for ever, maybe even for long...

Sadly I think you're right

 

[rib]

you,ve been to the best,dont bother with the rest imo

 

[rubberduck]

IMHO it's a good show and worth it, though I am fairly local. Lots will disagree though!

I got into boating after a long Illness reading a fellow patients boat mags & a visit to LIBS two years later. Spent a considerable amount of money with the boating industry since. So how do you measure success at a boat show, or any other form of advertising for that matter.

 

[ari]

Just trying to organise getting there now via train (always driven before, but it's a right pain traipsing round the M25), and it's showing on National Rail as an hour and a half to get from Paddington to Excel.

So anyone coming from the west of London has to add three hours onto their "to London" journey times to get across and back.

Seriously reconsidering going. No wonder the show is dying.

 

[Croc]

Transport for London says it take 39 minutes from Paddington to Excel.....but don't let facts spoil a good moan.

 

[jfm]

It doesn't take an hour and a half to go Paddington-Excel even in rush hour. A taxi will do it in about 45minutes in middling traffic and tube would be similar

I'm amazed how Brits culturally seem to think travel is bad and want everything just down the lane from them. I wouldn't think twice about getting from say Cornwall to Excel. Make sure someone else is driving (eg take train or plane) and use the time effectively for things you can do sitting down. A big benefit of Excel is that they can get 24m+ boats there, so be careful what you wish for.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I'm amazed how Brits culturally seem to think travel is bad and want everything just down the lane from them.

Overcrowded, potholed roads festooned with 'safety' cameras that motorists pay £40bn a year for and the govt spends £5bn a year on. Overcrowded, overpriced, overheated trains trundling on an antiquated Victorian age rail network. Airports full to bursting where you get charged for everything from using a trolley to dropping a passenger off and the govt whacks you with APD for the privilege. Apart from that, travelling in the UK is just great. No I can't think why anyone should dislike it either

 

[ari]

Transport for London says it take 39 minutes from Paddington to Excel.....but don't let facts spoil a good moan.

Here you go, word for word from National Rail Enquiries.

09:00 London Paddington [PAD]
London Liverpool Street [LST]
09:55
09:55 London Liverpool Street [LST]
Stratford (London) [SRA]
10:02
10:02 Stratford (London) [SRA]
Custom House
10:29

 

[ari]

It doesn't take an hour and a half to go Paddington-Excel even in rush hour. A taxi will do it in about 45minutes in middling traffic and tube would be similar

I'm amazed how Brits culturally seem to think travel is bad and want everything just down the lane from them. I wouldn't think twice about getting from say Cornwall to Excel. Make sure someone else is driving (eg take train or plane) and use the time effectively for things you can do sitting down. A big benefit of Excel is that they can get 24m+ boats there, so be careful what you wish for.

I have absolutely no problem with travel. However there are only so many hours in a day, and I'm sure you can understand that if I have to spend three of them just getting across London then that makes a big difference to the time available (and therefore viability) for a day at the show.

I'll take your word for the actual tube times, and spend the extra 90 minutes you've just granted me wisely!