henryf
Well-Known Member
Went to the boat show on Thursday courtesy of Princess. I bought the smallest flybridge they do and yet still, for the 2nd year running they sent me tickets and also VIP parking. Turns a good day out into a great day!
No pressure on the stand, in fact Adam, our "man" who sold us the boat, was tied up most of the time doing a couple of deals and throughout the day was popping in and out with bits of paper and having quiet conversations with the person who presumably looks after their piggy bank.
The credit crunch obviously hasn`t bitten quite hard enough for a spur of the moment upgrade. No one offering to upgrade us for the price of a packet of Jaffa cakes and Cornish pastie. Ah well.
Had a good wander round all their boats in the 50-62 foot bracket and was free to poke around on my own as was everyone else. They have an interesting theory - boat shows are for people to have a look at their products in the hope that one day they may decide to get the cheque book out.
Had a good look round the Sunseeker and Fairline 52 / 48 specifically to compare against the P50, possibly P54 and if someone wants to buy the wife`s kidneys a P62.
Definitely left the show feeling I was supporting the right team at the moment. Despite looking really objectively I felt both Fairline and Sunseeker were playing catch up, Fairline especially. Their interiors just seem to have too much "dead" space and it would only be brand loyalty that kept you from a trip down to Plymouth with your deposit.
The one boat I didn`t get to see was the Ferretti 510. I rocked up to the stand, dolly bird at the desk, 3 chaps stood in suits behind her. Hello says I, can I have a quick look round your 510? Sorry sir, private viewing going on. Half a second later - and there`s a private viewing on the other one as well. Ah well, I`ll leave it then and walked away.
Halfway off their stand I thought sod it, I might as well let them know the truth and very politely explained it was the 2nd year running that I`d failed to get on the 510. Ok thank you said the eye candy at the desk and the three blokes looked on.
When will builders realise initially all you want is a quick 2 minute scan round inside to see if you`re wasting everyone`s time by arranging a formal appointment and tying up staff on a boat that as soon as you step aboard you know you won`t be buying. As an example the Azimut took 20 seconds to know it wasn`t for us. Thankfully I managed to sidestep the sales team who were busy feeding champers to someone on a day out of the office.
Back onto Princess`s stand for champagne and Frank Sinatra on their late night opening party. Might possibly have sung a little number myself very much under duress - all good fun and you only live once (although Sunseeker might argue differently).
A Chinese before we headed home during which the Beneteau crew crashed their helicopter right in front of my eyes. I kid you not. Straight into the crispy duck ! The civil aviation authority are looking into it as I type so I can`t say too much, suffice to say no damage sustained. The best £15 they`d spent all week apparently.
A great way to spend a winter`s Thursday and once again many thanks to the boys and girls at Princess for being the perfect hosts.
All the best and keep smiling
Henry /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
No pressure on the stand, in fact Adam, our "man" who sold us the boat, was tied up most of the time doing a couple of deals and throughout the day was popping in and out with bits of paper and having quiet conversations with the person who presumably looks after their piggy bank.
The credit crunch obviously hasn`t bitten quite hard enough for a spur of the moment upgrade. No one offering to upgrade us for the price of a packet of Jaffa cakes and Cornish pastie. Ah well.
Had a good wander round all their boats in the 50-62 foot bracket and was free to poke around on my own as was everyone else. They have an interesting theory - boat shows are for people to have a look at their products in the hope that one day they may decide to get the cheque book out.
Had a good look round the Sunseeker and Fairline 52 / 48 specifically to compare against the P50, possibly P54 and if someone wants to buy the wife`s kidneys a P62.
Definitely left the show feeling I was supporting the right team at the moment. Despite looking really objectively I felt both Fairline and Sunseeker were playing catch up, Fairline especially. Their interiors just seem to have too much "dead" space and it would only be brand loyalty that kept you from a trip down to Plymouth with your deposit.
The one boat I didn`t get to see was the Ferretti 510. I rocked up to the stand, dolly bird at the desk, 3 chaps stood in suits behind her. Hello says I, can I have a quick look round your 510? Sorry sir, private viewing going on. Half a second later - and there`s a private viewing on the other one as well. Ah well, I`ll leave it then and walked away.
Halfway off their stand I thought sod it, I might as well let them know the truth and very politely explained it was the 2nd year running that I`d failed to get on the 510. Ok thank you said the eye candy at the desk and the three blokes looked on.
When will builders realise initially all you want is a quick 2 minute scan round inside to see if you`re wasting everyone`s time by arranging a formal appointment and tying up staff on a boat that as soon as you step aboard you know you won`t be buying. As an example the Azimut took 20 seconds to know it wasn`t for us. Thankfully I managed to sidestep the sales team who were busy feeding champers to someone on a day out of the office.
Back onto Princess`s stand for champagne and Frank Sinatra on their late night opening party. Might possibly have sung a little number myself very much under duress - all good fun and you only live once (although Sunseeker might argue differently).
A Chinese before we headed home during which the Beneteau crew crashed their helicopter right in front of my eyes. I kid you not. Straight into the crispy duck ! The civil aviation authority are looking into it as I type so I can`t say too much, suffice to say no damage sustained. The best £15 they`d spent all week apparently.
A great way to spend a winter`s Thursday and once again many thanks to the boys and girls at Princess for being the perfect hosts.
All the best and keep smiling
Henry /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
