Saturday Boat Show Report

DPH

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 Jul 2001
Messages
532
Location
Cowes
Visit site
Got there just after 10, did North hall first seemed very quiet but maybe just me being early. First time I've been back since show moved to ExCel. Did seem like quite a few spaces.

Went onto the to the Fairline stand more out of interest to see the response I got after reading comments on this forum. I never look like I've got more then £10 to my name so quite surprised with the warm welcome from one of the girls that caught my eye. Did seem a bit fake though.

South hall was much busier, had to queue to get on a sailboat!

Bargin of the day was some 20mm docklines, Marlow ropes quoted £400 for 2*15 and 2*20. That was with a show discount of £100. Two stalls down had 4*15 £120 the lot all spliced and ready to go.

Did anyone notice the Cranchi stand? Seemed to make more of a feature of the disabled ramp then the boats. Bizarre.
 
I agree with Richard. We arrived early today as it opened and headed straight to the south hall to the mobos. Up to the Fairline stand and straight in as we had hoped. Went on all the Targas, a couple of the Phantoms and then treated to a drink in their lounge. By the time we came down at 11:30 the stand was heaving with people - they had to get the barriers out again and were turning people away asking them to come back a little later it was that busy. The SS stand had queues for all the larger boats and Princess seemed busy too. The B&W area was heaving as was the London Pride and all through the show all the sales people I talked to said that although it had been a lot quieter in the week they'd had decent weekends and hit their targets for the show overall.
I do hope that they weren't b'sh1tting because if they don't make targets they won't be back next year, and if the show organisers can't fill stands and make money the show will die.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am going to contradict you for the sake of it.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Which bit are you contradicting?

There are def less boats then when I went last time. The spaces are obvious.

I got straight onto some of the bigger boats. Pershing 56 for instance, just me and the rep for 30 minutes. Like I say it might be because I was there early but I'm sure I was early last time.

I do agree Fairline, SS and princess were busy, but the rest were not. My impression not as busy last time I went. (I'm not comparing it to last year Richard as I wasn't there.) Nearly had to queue to get on Fairline Phantom 48, had to use the magic words "Is it the D9's on here?" Maybe the salesman sensed I wasn't interested in it, I just have to sit on a flybridge once a year to remind me why I don't like them.
 
We went on Saturday,to me the show looked good & was busy. Had a serious look at the targa 44 & ss47 with a view to purchase within the next 2 years if all carries on as planned. Both nice boats, I leaned towards the ss47 but swmbo prefers the targa 44 (so that's that one settled). Didn't get to say hello to several people we know cos they were too busy & didn't want to but in. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif As far as I can see most dealers are reacting to the present circumstances as I am in my business,by grabbing the opportunities as they pop up. Plenty off overseas buyers about, the world may be 30% down but that leaves 70% for the survivors. Tricky bit is making sure your one of them. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
tell you what was missing Richard Shead, Lord Lucan I thought. Thursay I went to the stand and asked for him, he in a meeting upstairs they said, went back at 3, he's gone they said. Friday 10.30 asked at the stand he not in yet, Friday 3pm has a meeting in central London.

Does this person exist??

I will email him someone will answer
 
Hmm yes I do and I was there the whole time I promise!

However you seem to have visited the stand each time I was away!

Sorry about that, come along to sbs and say hello (or bham if you are going).
Cheers
 
Top