SBS Boatlife Show 2023 - Video

[Bigplumbs]

We had a nice little trip to Birmingham Yesterday to visit the SBS Boatlife live show 2023. Below is an 18 min video of the show from our perspective. The show is modest in size but still in my view worth a visit

All I bought was a massive dry bag from Northern Diver for £21...... Excellent value

 

[Bigplumbs]

Im have got 2 codes for free tickets if anyone os interested and send me a PM

 

[DavidJ]

Thanks for putting that together
A lot more boaty boats than I expected and an interesting move to snub noses as you pointed out.
Unlike the Princess videos it held my attention all the way through

 

[Bigplumbs]

Thanks for putting that together
A lot more boaty boats than I expected and an interesting move to snub noses as you pointed out.
Unlike the Princess videos it held my attention all the way through

Many thanks. I like taking little videos of our trips I use very simple equipment and a quick edditor. If people are not intending to go this I think gives a little taste of the show or might inspire them to go.

It is small but I still think worth a visit. I think the car park should be in the price though. I waited and waited for our free tickets they did not arrive so I bought a couple...... Guess what after I bought them 2 days later the free codes arrive

 

[Sunny265]

Many thanks. I like taking little videos of our trips I use very simple equipment and a quick edditor. If people are not intending to go this I think gives a little taste of the show or might inspire them to go.

It is small but I still think worth a visit. I think the car park should be in the price though. I waited and waited for our free tickets they did not arrive so I bought a couple...... Guess what after I bought them 2 days later the free codes arrive

Yes, thank you for making the effort to give those of us an idea of the show and layout.
My overriding comment would be, where is everybody? Footfall seems very low. I wonder how many exhibitors will invest the time, effort and cost to go again next year? Was it early in the day? did it get busier as the day went on?
Thanks again

 

[henryf]

We went last year because Boot Düsseldorf was cancelled. A very very different show but when you need a bit of a fix….

I think having BD cancelled last year helped the inaugural edition of this show, the 2023 version will need to stand on its own two feet a bit more.

Quality and quantity of visitors are two very different things. If someone is serious and the right product is there it will be easier to spend quality time with prospects. The question is are there enough products to entice a buyer?

It’s clearly aimed at a different audience to Southampton, the former London Boat show and Düsseldorf. Overall cost of visiting shows is always a bone of contention. Entry, parking and so on. I guess everything in life costs a few quid and boating is never cheap.

The caravan / Motorhome show that took place after last year’s NEC boat show would probably have been busy but I guess appealing to a much larger audience.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Yes, thank you for making the effort to give those of us an idea of the show and layout.
My overriding comment would be, where is everybody? Footfall seems very low. I wonder how many exhibitors will invest the time, effort and cost to go again next year? Was it early in the day? did it get busier as the day went on?
Thanks again

Thanks. It was quiet but this was Friday which I think is the second day of the show. We went in spot on 10 am which is when it oppened and left at about 13 - 13.30 which was 3 or so hours. We felt we had looked at a lot and there is a lot to see although it is small . If you like smaller boats and have a modest budget this is a good show. There are also some £100k plus boats there.

It did get more busy towards midday but I would not say it was at all full.

I think the cost to get in which is the best part of £50 for 2 people including parking is rather high considering it is a 'Trade show'.

We will be going to the caravan and camping etc show also next week so can compare.

I just like the idea of looking at some nice boats in the winter months to get myself and her indoors all enthused for the year ahead......... We have several plans

 

[Seastoke]

Yes a good show for the midlands , so the cheapest thing to float on was £250 paddle board and a Sealine 39 at £600 K Fairline had a sports 35 I think it was pale blue gel coat IMO It was ugly they had a taga 45 very nice but no price . The finish on some boats is terrible .

 

[Bigplumbs]

So who has been today (Sat 18th)

 

[Oiltrash]

So who has been today (Sat 18th)

Nosed around for a few hours , as looking for a tender and few other bits for our new yacht, it didn’t feel that busy, and the parking cost does just annoy me, so don’t regret going but not sure will go again, but was a nice day out

 

[Bigplumbs]

Nosed around for a few hours , as looking for a tender and few other bits for our new yacht, it didn’t feel that busy, and the parking cost does just annoy me, so don’t regret going but not sure will go again, but was a nice day out

We have booked a ticket for the Caravan and camping show next week and that includes car parking

 

[Time Out]

Why don’t they combine the two …. Oh hold on.

NEC boat and caravan was always an interesting show with a good mix of punters. Just enough to satisfy those UK boaters up to 40 feet and plenty for the ‘campers’ to look at and pick up for their travels. Small inflatables, kayaks etc. paddle boards were not really main stream then.

As usual it’s all about politics and British Marine favour next weeks show. Probably as most the staff who run Boatlife are ex British Marine.

I was going to go but chose the cheaper option of taking my son skiing for the week.

 

[Seastoke]

Very interested where you can ski for a week , for £40.50.

 

[Time Out]

Very interested where you can ski for a week , for £40.50.

That rather depends on whether you end up buying a boat or not.

That was my all too subtle joke ….

Actually for me it would be at least 100 quid in fuel, entry fee, car park, food etc so prob a 200 quid day without buying any boating items.

I fully support the show though however I have no real need to go as Southampton is my go to show. Outside of the many I work at.

 

[Bigplumbs]

That rather depends on whether you end up buying a boat or not.

That was my all too subtle joke ….

Actually for me it would be at least 100 quid in fuel, entry fee, car park, food etc so prob a 200 quid day without buying any boating items.

I fully support the show though however I have no real need to go as Southampton is my go to show. Outside of the many I work at.

Only down side of Southampton which I always attend is it is at the end of the Season so a little depressing. This show is an early feel good show. That is very significant to me

 

[Time Out]

I 100% agree. If I was in the area ( the in-laws are not too far away) I may have gone.

My ‘fix’ however is mountain air and I favour that over boating this time of year. Even that can be done on a budget !

I fully support this show and I hope it does well. I know many exhibitors there and will get a full download later on sales leads. It deserves to do well given no London or other regional shows. That said even Southampton is a regional show nowadays.

We are staring down the barrel of one key (note the word key) European show per year and that will be Cannes.

Düsseldorf has its place but there are a number of larger builders choosing to fund one show. The rest will be dealers only.

That’s why shows like Boatlife etc are so important and deserve to be a success.

 

[Seastoke]

That rather depends on whether you end up buying a boat or not.

That was my all too subtle joke ….

Actually for me it would be at least 100 quid in fuel, entry fee, car park, food etc so prob a 200 quid day without buying any boating items.

I fully support the show though however I have no real need to go as Southampton is my go to show. Outside of the many I work at.

 

[Fire99]

We had a nice little trip to Birmingham Yesterday to visit the SBS Boatlife live show 2023. Below is an 18 min video of the show from our perspective. The show is modest in size but still in my view worth a visit

Thanks for posting the video. The Fairline looked a bit like it was in its own gated community!!

Interesting to see a number of small boat/RIB brands that I've never heard of. Nimbus (who I do know) look to have some nice products and for the quiet life, that wide beam canal boat looked supremely comfortable. Home from home.

 

[bendyone]

I went yesterday, good show, £15 to get in and £12.50 for the train. Will go again next year.

 

[Bigplumbs]

I went yesterday, good show, £15 to get in and £12.50 for the train. Will go again next year.

Did you buy anything