st599
Well-known member
Is that it? Surely there's a hall or 5 I missed.
No wonder tickets were free.
No wonder tickets were free.
London boat show
- Thread starter st599
- Start date
Talulah
Well-known member
Are there any other shows on at Excel at the same time?
st599
Well-known member
Not today. Some GCSE exams.
st599
Well-known member
Definitely back to Düsseldorf next year.
mireland
Member
I won't be going again - a real disappointment.
Colvic Watson
Well-known member
Was thinking of going tomorrow on the spur of the moment as we've got free tickets. It's still £45 in diesel and parking and a teenage ticket. But it doesn't sound like it's worth it????
Gwylan
Well-known member
You are right and it's not worth going. I'm supporting a small exhibitor and far from looking for a profit we see break even as ambitious right now.
Boathook
Well-known member
I went on Friday to look at marine electronics. Only Garmin and Raymarine seem to have dedicated stands with Catcus showing of a few other brands. A very poor turn out imho. Marine Super Store 'stand' was massive, as though the organisers asked them to fill empty places. The now standard stands with log cabins, hardwood furniture, etc were all there. Would I pay to go - I doubt it as again the RYA provided free tickets. If the tube strike goes ahead tomorrow evening the, place could well be empty. I certainly wouldn't have made the effort to find another route in to bypass the underground.
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
How wide are the aisles this year? It's a standard exhibition trick to widen them to soak up unbooked floorspace.
Boathook
Well-known member
Seemed about the average. None of the stands went right back to the walls though giving nice walkway at the rear.
Paddy Layback
N/A
I got 2 tickets for the price of one, (C.A.) the parking cost more than the tickets...
A nice discount on my new windlass, remote control etc, then got the hell out.
Why do these hideous new gin palaces have windows where the fenders will hang? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but stupidity?
The Classic Speedboats are worth a look though, fascinating boats!
A nice discount on my new windlass, remote control etc, then got the hell out.
Why do these hideous new gin palaces have windows where the fenders will hang? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but stupidity?
The Classic Speedboats are worth a look though, fascinating boats!
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Norman_E
Well-known member
I went yesterday using my free RYA ticket and a cheap local car park to avoid Excel's extortion. I arrived by walking over the bridge at Prince Regent and as I went in I thought I must have got the day wrong, because the place looked deserted. Once inside it was noticeable how few visitors there were. True there was a crowd of gawpers round a stand with a large motor obscenity on it and some sort of presentation going on, but otherwise it was pretty quiet. I collected my spare cutless bearing from ASAP and bought an ODEO flare (£89.95 at Marine Superstore) chatted with a few stall holders. Not many yachts there this year. I did not go outside to see what was in the dock, because it was raining by the time I thought of doing so.
dune16
Active member
Hmm, I was meant to go today but still fighting flu, was planning to go tomorrow after a good night's sleep. May not bother now if it's really that bad.
st599
Well-known member
There's nothing in the dock.
nickf
Member
I went yesterday - enjoyed it. Bavaria, Jeanneau. Hanse, Dehler and Beneteau all having sail boats on display. Plus lots of chandlery stores, and charter companies. A good 3 to 6 hours easily spent, each to their own!
LePacha
Well-known member
Coming back from the boat show. I missed it last year. That was quite poor to be honest. Almost empty(ok, went over there after 3pm so might explain). Parking costs more than the entrance ticket. Only good thing in my eyes was my little boy had a great time. Not really sure what is the interest otherwise except if you are coming to purchase specific stuff according to other posters... but just having a look is not worth it anymore unfortunately...
roblpm
Well-known member
Well there seemed to be lots of million pound motorboats which my 13 year old sun enjoyed.....!
Tbh for our £0 tickets it was good value!!
xyachtdave
Well-known member
At LBS last year I found out £30k pool tables are available -
That's my mate Paul chatting to the salesman trying to politely walk away.....
That's my mate Paul chatting to the salesman trying to politely walk away.....
Seajet
...
Well its got places for fender ties fore, aft and rowlocks midships; I'm guessing the outboard pad is on the other end ? Cool tender ! 
Joker
Active member
Well, I paid £15 parking + £27 [yes! Really!] entry.
And there was b+gger all there. Left after 3 hours.
And there was b+gger all there. Left after 3 hours.
