New features for the London Boatshow ?!!!

seasprite

seasprite

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I have been reading an article detailing plans for the heavily revised London Boatshow 2007.

New experiences on offer include:-

A series of interactive exhibits devised by a consultant which include "master classes" in knot tying, sail trimming, all the latest on antifouling and get this ... cooking on board on a moving boat. All under the guidance of marine experts.

There will be interactive challenges as well where we can test our boating skills in tasks such as: who can change a boat's oil the quickest or who can anchor correctly.

Apparently by popular demand at the BOATSHOW there's going to be sections for fishing too.

There's a new canoing section and the organisers say they hope to attract new audiences as well as boosting the profile of these important sections of the industry.

To enhance features there's going to be special effects used as well, and apparently there's discussions about introducing a special fog tunnel to help us learn about radar and navigations providing real life solutions, tips and advice.

The Guinness Bar is going to be centralised in the north hall surrounded by boats. Inland Waterways are going to take over the east end of the north hall where they are currently growing reed beds to help bring the feature to life!

No East hall next year so, an 8% cut in space and NBS has put space costs up by 5% ?? Entry fees the same, but children under 16 free. (passports or birth certificates may be needed?! or we may have an ID card by then!!!)

What's every one else's thoughts?

SS /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
My only visit to the London Boat Show was prompted by the lure of Turkish dancers.

Visions of sailing in exotic places, Turkish waterfront, dancers wearing elegant 2 piece dance costumes or less.....

Unfortunatly the organizers seemed to have missed the definition of Sufi Dancer .....
 
I think it was summed up a while ago by someone saying it was no longer a boat show but a boat exhibition. Unless I am in the market by then for a new 42 footer, something along the lines of a Malo, HR or Island Packet, then I shan't bother /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.... unless of course they bring back the stand selling cheap rope where they would whip shackles,eyes etc in for free!!
 
we reluctantly went last year but found the whole thing crap. I'll stick to southampton and given the cost of travel to London and cheap air fares we are considering going over to the Dusselorf (sp?) one to see if we can still find a boat show going on....
 
A boat bits and pieces bazaar is what I would like to see...lots of chandlery and boat bits, tools, flags, fenders, ropes, antifouling, clothing, lifejackets, life rafts, tenders, the food stalls, spices, boat carpets & mats stalls etc., everything that can be sold from a stall.

A place where you can find out what’s new/how to use/what’s recommended/information/discussion etc.

The new show is badly missing the likes of the upstairs at the old London Boat show, it is now more of a brand new boats exhibition.
 
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we reluctantly went last year but found the whole thing crap. I'll stick to southampton and given the cost of travel to London and cheap air fares we are considering going over to the Dusselorf (sp?) one to see if we can still find a boat show going on....

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Dusseldorf is a great show but wear comfortable shoes. It is VAST!!! Allow at least 2 whole days.

Enjoy.

Note: The beer is great in the Old Town.
 
wholly agree with tiller girl and others, the light bill is paid by one vendors exhibiting fee, the staff are paid for by 2/3/ others, ???? so long as you go an pay em even more, they will keep taking it off you, I aint been to a boat show for 14 years now, if I wanna be met with snotty looks for admiring grp, then I'll go to any marina for free. What? missing out on new technologies? only really applicable to company reps anyway. Only good thing I recall of these events is the ' knockdown' on clothing at the end by lazy store staff - dont wanna take the stuff back home so sell it off '' cheap' - we should all have free entry
 
I disagree a bit.

When we went to London Excel (opening year, not been since) we were in the market for a RADAR. I spent a few hours talking to manufacturers about their gear and what it could / could not do... I received excellent advice. It felt no different to upstairs at Earls Court, in fact better because I could get outside for a smoke / cool down / break from the crowds.

I do think there is far too much rose tinted glasses with respect to Earls Court, which was a filthy stagnant dump. Half a day in Earls Court and I was desperate for a shower, it was / is rank. Comments regarding companies not turning up because it has moved I don't believe. Talking to a few who no longer appear at any boats show it is because the cost of floor space whether Earls / Excel / Southampton priced many of the smaller boys out of the market.

I fear from many responses on here that people in this game just like moaning and especially can't handle change. Excel is far better for me to get to and around, there are more places to sit than Earls Court, but still not nearly enough.

I think any boat show is only worth going to if you are in the market for something in particular, unless you are the type that spends 1/2 your holiday browsing the local shops and market.

If there was no charge the place would be full of gangs of youths and families sticking chewing gum on new boats furniture or weeing in the heads. The charge keeps the show for us and should remain.

Now come on people, happy thoughts, or buy a caravan for a more popular show.
 
You might make me change my point of view. I do think that the electronics section has improved for the better, but agree with others that it's a shame to have lost so many of the bit and pieces stalls.
 
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I disagree a bit.
When we went to London Excel (opening year, not been since) we were in the market for a RADAR. I spent a few hours talking to manufacturers about their gear and what it could / could not do... I received excellent advice. It felt no different to upstairs at Earls Court, in fact better because I could get outside for a smoke / cool down / break from the crowds.

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I also went to the first opening year and the 2nd year, the mixture of small exhibitors had mostly vanished.

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I do think there is far too much rose tinted glasses with respect to Earls Court, which was a filthy stagnant dump.

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I agree, I would much prefer Excel if they had the variety of stalls

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Talking to a few who no longer appear at any boats show it is because the cost of floor space whether Earls / Excel / Southampton priced many of the smaller boys out of the market.

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Can any ex-exhibitors comment?

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I fear from many responses on here that people in this game just like moaning and especially can't handle change. Excel is far better for me to get to and around, there are more places to sit than Earls Court, but still not nearly enough.

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Excel is far quicker and easier for me to get to.

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I think any boat show is only worth going to if you are in the market for something in particular, unless you are the type that spends 1/2 your holiday browsing the local shops and market.

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No!.. its good to see the range of chandlery and electronics that the local chandlers do not stock. To see whats new, see electronics working, comparisons, to find that gizmo or tool you never knew you needed etc., to have it all under one roof and in one area of the hall.

The new boats I rarely try to fight my way on, but its still good to see what my next boat is likely to be in the future.
 
"but agree with others that it's a shame to have lost so many of the bit and pieces stalls."

At least in Earls Court, the peculiar ones (how to chop vegetables in 100 different ways tools etc) were segregated. Even these might have had some tentative application on a boat.
At the last LBC, amongst the 'sailing school' stands there was a stand selling a 'special under roof tile repair spray system', with a few other oddities such as electric rippling/vibrating massage chairs making up the rest.

Surely they should have a boating application to exhibit!
 
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