London Boat Show

[uxb]

What a total waste of time and money...

It's not even half the show it used to be.

We were really disappointed and doubt we'd go back as there simply wasn't enough there. Not nearly enough boats ( although the Southerly's were very nice ) and hardly any chandlery compared to the last time I was at Earls Court.

Even the Guinness stand was rubbish - and expensive.

 

[CharlesSwallow]

Never been the same since it transferred from Earls Court. As a gesture of sentimentallity, I made sure that I was one of the last visitors out of the place on the last day of the last show there and still have the tickets. Southampton has taken over, I think. I don't visit that much though as the weather is usually still good and I'd rather go sailing!

Chas

 

[oldfatgit]

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Didn't go with the intention of buying things I normally get in my local chandlers or direct, but did get a lot out of talking to exhibitors and looking at the boats which are there. Came away better informed, with a few useful bits and pieces and, undoubtedly will adjust what I will buy in the light of knowledge gained. So compared to Earls Court, well I find it more relaxed with fewer people getting in the way. For some the fact that there is a smaller variety of boats on show might defeat the reason for going, however, for me that is not the main attraction; I am more interested in seeing what innovations are being made and talking to suppliers about their various products.

 

[uxb]

but did get a lot out of talking to exhibitors and looking at the boats which are there.

I too got a lot from talking to the exhibitors - they were all extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their products- and they secured a couple of sales from me for their efforts- There just weren't enough of them.

The selection of boats on display was poor although some of the smaller wooden day boats were works of art.

 

[Sandyman]

Of course they are going to be enthusiastic about their products...............they want to sell the buggers.

''What a total waste of time and money...''......................you're learning.

 

[Skysail]

I did enjoy it, mainly talking to exhibitors and meeting friends; but definitely fewer boaty stands and the rest is turning into the Ideal Home Exhibition.....

 

[gerry99]

I have to agree with you uxb, I was lucky enough to have been given a comp. ticket, if I had been unlucky enough to have had to pay either full price or the £12 discounted price I would have wanted a refund. The show was characterised by some empty stands, stands full of junk products that had nothing to do with boating, great if you wanted a copper or metal band or an appliance for rheumatism though, or Jacuzzi or relaxer chairs... the list could go on but brevity rules

I got there at lunchtime and it was very empty, even at 2pm the Guinness bar was half empty with plenty of space, unheard of in the earlier years of the show. I have two friends who were exhibitors and both of them were saying it was very quiet indeed.

I have to say though that it did mean I could get around to see some of the vendors i was interested in, so there was an upside for me but i suspect that the exhibitors will be wanting a much busier show and will be hoping next weekend is much busier than today.

 

[xyachtdave]

What a total waste of time and money...

It's not even half the show it used to be.

We were really disappointed and doubt we'd go back as there simply wasn't enough there. Not nearly enough boats ( although the Southerly's were very nice ) and hardly any chandlery compared to the last time I was at Earls Court.

Even the Guinness stand was rubbish - and expensive.

Please tell me you haven't travelled from Scotland??

I feel your pain.....not as a bad as only an hour away!

 

[uxb]

Please tell me you haven't travelled from Scotland??

We did.

On the upside we got a day in Glasgow shopping in the big shops, a night out on the town with a superb meal and a pile of drinkies. Then got to sleep the lot off on the well named Caledonian Sleeper.

Once in London we found a great cafe for a fantastic full English brekkie - the only know cure for a mild hangover.

After the disappointment of the boat show we headed out west and had another superb meal and a few stiff brandies before once again boarding the sleeper back to civilisation.

So, as an entertaining weekend away together it was fun. As a trip to a boat show it was a dead loss.

 

[Jenaline IV]

I enjoyed myself, I hate crowds so the fact it wasn't that busy appeals to me. The southerlies were a cut above the rest in my book. The 49 is luverly. I noticed that the build quality also seemed better than other manufacturers in attendance, even the Germans!

The chandlries has some good deals and were more helpful than they have been in the past however there was only the bigger stuff and those which are most profitable. There were a couple of things I expected to find which I didn't.

 

[Cantata]

Me too, I was there on Friday, bumped into loads of acquaintances, talked to a lot of suppliers, enjoyed my day - but then I did go there with the intention of enjoying myself.
Yes it's a smaller show, yes there are few saily boats, but there was plenty of stuff there to keep me interested.
I dare say I'm in the minority (of those who post on here) in saying that I disliked EC, it was an unhealthy dump as far as I was concerned although I cannot deny that the shows that I remember there had a lot more content.

 

[Cardo]

'Er indoors and I went today. Had a shopping list with us.
Started by visiting the Southerly stand and drooling over our boat's younger siblings. Can't decide whether I prefer the 42RST or the new 420. Both extremely nice looking boats.
We then popped to Raymarine who were very helpful and sorted out my planned electronics outfit. Very knowledgable and even drew me a "schematic" showing what bits I needed to join it all together and how.
Then went to the various chandleries and got quotes for our shopping list. Winners were TCS who provided some very reasonable prices, some considerably lower than the lowest prices I'd found on the internet.

Also got me a nice new pair of deck shoes.

Amongst all that, we were amazed by the sheer size of all the floating mansions and also enjoyed the numerous other stands. All in all, a very successful day out.

 

[LADY B]

I dare say I'm in the minority (of those who post on here) in saying that I disliked EC, it was an unhealthy dump as far as I was concerned although I cannot deny that the shows that I remember there had a lot more content.

+1

 

[alan17]

Ah but then the summers were longer and hotter and the winters shorter. Such is the effect of memory.

I also prefer the current location but then for me the travel is so much easier living in Hertfordshire where it borders Essex.

 

[Skylark]

We drove a 7 hour return journey to visit yesterday. A special thanks to the Highways Agency for closing the M6-M1 interchange.

The show was significantly smaller than prior years. Very few of the AWB manufactures were there. There seemed to be huge numbers of monsterous motor boats with million pound price tags, their stands seemed busy, too, well out of my league but undoubtedly keeps the show going.

I usually like to listen to a few of the Knowledge Box presentations but this year, with few exceptions, those we saw were poor.

There was plenty of walking room around the aisles, for saying it was the first Saturday, it didn't seem well patronised.

We're in a recession with austerity all around, it came as no surprise that it was downsized from past years. Early Jan is a great time for a show IMHO and I'd really been looking forward to it. It was disappointing, to be honest.

Price and quality from food concessions were at normal standards. Tepid coffee, warm, tasteless and unimaginative food at sky high prices.

 

[neilf39]

Just got back from LIBS. Had a great time. Got there at 10:45 and left at 16:45 when my car park ticket ran out. Was not sure what to expect but was nowhere near as bad as doom merchants make out. Yes the luxury section was a bit James Bond but the other half was great. It was a bit smaller and does not match Southampton. Just go with the right atitude. Intersting things to see if you look, such as how to steam bend timber and how to do wire splicing. Lots of expertise on offer, and when its not so crowded you get their full attention. I and SWMBO have always been a bit wary of the spinnaker/cruising chute and the demos were great for the likes of us tyros. Pool was interesting too. I just need to wait for the lottery to get one of those gorgeous Southerlys.

 

[Tam Lin]

Haven't been for years and found Excel a great venue. Easy to get to from Essex by train and DLR. Went to see a few stands I had earmarked in advance then had a general look round. If I had just gone to see the boats then I would have been disappointed as they were nearly all out of my league. The fact that got my tickets from Tesco Clubcard Points says it all about my financial standing!

 

[timmygobang]

Highlight of the show was inspecting one of the new moody's and listening to the following conversation between my friend and the salesman

Salesman (posh portly fellow) "So what do you think?"

Friend "Well is this the nav table? I couldn't even lay a chart out on here, and as for the seat, I prefer a nav table where you can tuck yourself in when you're heeling, I'd just fall out...."

Salesman: "Really? Well I haven't used a paper chart for over 20 years...why would you need a chart..."

Friend "I disagree what if your electronics fail..."

*Tim sighs and walks up into the cockpit...

Conclusion, good day out, spoke to lots of knowledgeable people, would like to see some affordable boats and less 'made in chelsea' stands

 

[CharlesSwallow]

I have to agree with you uxb, I was lucky enough to have been given a comp. ticket, if I had been unlucky enough to have had to pay either full price or the £12 discounted price I would have wanted a refund. The show was characterised by some empty stands, stands full of junk products that had nothing to do with boating, great if you wanted a copper or metal band or an appliance for rheumatism though, or Jacuzzi or relaxer chairs... the list could go on but brevity rules

I got there at lunchtime and it was very empty, even at 2pm the Guinness bar was half empty with plenty of space, unheard of in the earlier years of the show. I have two friends who were exhibitors and both of them were saying it was very quiet indeed.

I have to say though that it did mean I could get around to see some of the vendors i was interested in, so there was an upside for me but i suspect that the exhibitors will be wanting a much busier show and will be hoping next weekend is much busier than today.

Yeah, I suppose it's "Good" but not "AS Good" if you see what I mean.

Chas

 

[nathanlee]

I also prefer the current location but then for me the travel is so much easier living in Hertfordshire where it borders Essex.

+1

I have an office off Old Street, so it's perfect for me.

That said, if it weren't so easy to get to, I don't think I'd bother. I'm not bothered by big shiny boats that I can't afford, so basically I end up paying quite a few quid to browse a big chandlery shop and perhaps make the odd purchase. I'm not entirely convinced it's fair for me to pay to go shopping, but so be it.

I reckon they should have a ticket rebate scheme for people that spend over X with the stands.