Motorboat awards

[PoppyT]

I was invited to the awards during the London Boat Show to what I thought would be a real privelege but apart from the ridiculous location of the venue right across London, indeed it couldn't have been further from Excel if you tried, the night was a real sham.

It was quite obvious that the winners were those who spent the most on advertising in the various IPC magazines and to cap it all, the judges ALL work for the magazine.

Now whether winners actually gain any benefit from winning is one issue, but if you're going to have such awards, the judges should be totally independant otherwise it becomes a total sham which regrettably it was.

As I alluded to above, the ridiculous location of the venue took most people well over an hour to get there and were worse off financially by at least £100 for a return taxi ride. Most people reckoned that the organisers of the event were on a big back hander from the hotel. How many hotels are there within 30 minutes of Excel???

 

[longjohnsilver]

Interesting (?!) first post. I presume, having been invited, that no one forced you to attend this event? Why did you go? And is there any evidence of the backhanders to which you refer? And what is your motivation for making your first post on the YBW forums?

 

[Nigelpickin]

Bit harsh!
I think that the event has been at the Landmark for some time? It's a very well run hotel and a great location for both extended nightlife or a quick escape from town...would far rather end up there at stupid o'clock than south or the river!

Not sure that their events team would be doing kickbacks....

 

[Lloydroberts]

Interesting (?!) first post. And what is your motivation for making your first post on the YBW forums?

Didn't win?

 

[jrudge]

And the winners were ...


Starter Boats: Beneteau Flyer 6
Performance & Sportsboats: Finnmaster T8
Wheelhouse & Cockpit Cruisers: Interboat Intercruiser
Trawler & Aft Cabin: Absolute 58 Navetta
Sportscruiser up to 45ft: Windy 39 Camira
Sportscruiser over 45ft: Princess V48 Open
Flybridge up to 55ft: Sealine F380
Flybridge over 55ft: Princess S72
Custom Yacht: Delta 80


Seems a good spread of names.

The category I am familiar with is the Fly 55ft + and my only comment would be that the S72 only just has a fly bridge, but I did have a look at one at the British Motor Boat Show and as I recall it was very nice. Not my pick, given the flybridge size, but given the S is supposed to have a small flybridge don't suppose I can hold that against it!

The S380 has had a good write up.

I do however agree that the judging panel should be rather more impartial as the accusation can always be leveled that they want to attract advertisers.





Read more at http://www.mby.com/motor-boat-award...d-winners-announced-44258#McLFWA5ySo6fUeZQ.99

 

[diligaf]

I do think your conspiracy theory is somewhat flawed. Sunseeker didn't win a thing this year, the advertise very heavily. Windy won an award despite not advertising a great deal, same a Absolute. Clipper won the service award an 99% of their advertising is online.

I can smell some sour grapes and straw clutching..............

 

[henryf]

I do think your conspiracy theory is somewhat flawed. Sunseeker didn't win a thing this year, the advertise very heavily. Windy won an award despite not advertising a great deal, same a Absolute. Clipper won the service award an 99% of their advertising is online.

I can smell some sour grapes and straw clutching..............

I agree.

I might not see eye to eye with all the winners over the years but that's down to personal taste, hence the suggestion of a broader spectrum of judges. But then who do you go to? Owners are likely to be biassed towards their own marque.

Having never attended the event I can't comment on whether it's worth basing it across town from Excel but the Landmark is indeed a wonderful venue and quite close to me if the publishers felt it would help things to invite a socialite of my standing and some chums next year (to include dinner, drinks and a hosted VIP area at the after show party). I think my fondest memories would be the Classic Rock awards held there in the past.

Logic would dictate the event be held somewhere close to Excel but maybe having to put a bit of effort in to get there means it feels a bit more special, who knows?

edited to add - And Jack's 3 piece suit..... he just needed the pocket watch. I'll lend him one next year


Henry

 

[jrudge]

In the spirit of supporting forum members and to ensure Henry does not need to endure a night of free booze alone, I too will cast wife and kids aside and offer to endure the event as well. What more in the spirit of generosity I will waive my usual fee !

 

[ari]

Now whether winners actually gain any benefit from winning is one issue, but if you're going to have such awards, the judges should be totally independant otherwise it becomes a total sham which regrettably it was.

So a motor boat magazine tests a load of new models through-out the year and holds a 'Boat of the year' awards ceremony at the end of the year. And you think that the people that actually went and tested those boats shouldn't be the ones to judge the winners?

Who did you have in mind?

 

[jrudge]

They should but ..... There was an article recently that one of the journos had only just crossed the channel, and then another who had bought his first boat in umpteen years, so given they are boat testers not boat users I think it is fair to question their criteria at least. Many of us will spend 3 or so months on a boat per annum. We will go along way in all sorts of seas. We will have problems any know how fast they are resolved. We will sleep in the beds and know if there is a **** matress. And so on ...

These are also very relevant views when actually owning the thing.

Mot sure on brand bias. I love my boat but sent a fellow forum member a list of some 20 things I would add / change. Nothing major but using it throws up all sorts of minor things that make a differ ddd when spending considerable time on board.

 

[ari]

Then it sounds like you are far better qualified to understand the merits of your Fairline 40 Targa than any boat tester.

But how does it compare to the Princess V40? What's that like after 3 months a year in board and numerous channel crossings? How about the Sealine S37? Better or worse after three months of use? More comfortable beds after several months aboard? Have you driven it in all sorts of sea conditions? How does your boat compare to the previous model? After three months of channel crossing is the newer boat better or worse? What about the equivalent Jeanneau, Beneteau, Azimut, Sunseeker?

My point is that whilst I agree with you completely, I'm just not sure how in practical terms a boat test could ever hope to be that thorough. And to come back to the original point, if you're not going to allow the the mags testers to judge the awards, who would you suggest?

 

[jaws]

From personal experience Clipper have given the worst customer service of any company ever. So much so that I would never buy a boat from them again. The whole thing is an industry old boys network back slapping exercise anyway. Given the death of MBM I wonder how many boaters actually read these magazines now. The voters must be a small percentage of the boating community.

I do think your conspiracy theory is somewhat flawed. Sunseeker didn't win a thing this year, the advertise very heavily. Windy won an award despite not advertising a great deal, same a Absolute. Clipper won the service award an 99% of their advertising is online.

I can smell some sour grapes and straw clutching..............

 

[Red]

Well done for coming out with a good remark. I would much prefer to see awards for motorboating, as most of us who would buy magazines have boats and we want to read about what we or others are doing with their boats not about manufactureres who are getting awards for positioning the double bed in a different position. Heaven forbid the day when the award is given to a boatbuilder who comes up with front engine drive, mount the engine in the bow, V drive gearbox and you have something pulling you around the corners. And as everyone knows, put the trim tabs up front and you have hypersensitivity, big reaction from minute corrections. The front of the boat would be wide and flat to take the installation or the bow positioned motors,the aft end - all the accomodation.