Southampton Boat Show 2021

Bigplumbs

Bigplumbs

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Well I dont want to wish my days away as the season has not yet really started. But I have just booked our usual Caravan site near Southampton in September for the dates of the 2021 Show. I will be happy to spend a week down there with my Sib if the Show doesn't happen.

Lets hope it does however this year... Fingers Crossed.

Now as a side note if you reply to this thread see if you can do so from a glass half full perspective.................. I think that is very important at the moment.......... Lift the spirits rather than drive them down. :)
 
I am pretty sure something will go ahead in Southampton this year. By that time all adults should have had (been offered) their second dose and it should be ahead of any increase in Autumn. Maybe they will reduce the number of indoor stands.

Difficult to predict on visitor numbers - but they may be pretty high given it will be the first show in 2 years

Will I be there? Not sure yet but a strong possibility
 
Went to the first day last year...It was cancelled and I made it onto telly moaning about the decision to close it the day before opening!
 
As a newbie to the idea of boat ownership wanting to understand brands, models, prices it's a little off putting when the various boat shows state "open to SERIOUS visitors. Hard to describe ourselves as serious buyers until we understand the market and options. However the Southampton show seems open to all comers.
 
MDL have 4 closed boat shows appointments only this year.

I have been asked to keep SBS dotes blocked as they are expecting it to be on, the dealer I work for is down to go so hopefully it will take place. :)
Last years fiasco was not good, there was generally only the water side on that occassion, the pontoons were double width so 4m wide around in a square and each boat had to have its own finger or along side berth with a one way system in place, was really spaced out and would of gone ahead perhaps if OV had not got a single pontoon walkway up and back. This year I believe Solent Park (Wher sunseeker and Gibbs are normally is not available) so will be mayflower park only and the water this year. I'm sure we will all have a great time when it is open. !! If of course anyone has any boats to sell !!!!!!
 
Reality61 said:
MDL have 4 closed boat shows appointments only this year.

I have been asked to keep SBS dotes blocked as they are expecting it to be on, the dealer I work for is down to go so hopefully it will take place. :)
Last years fiasco was not good, there was generally only the water side on that occassion, the pontoons were double width so 4m wide around in a square and each boat had to have its own finger or along side berth with a one way system in place, was really spaced out and would of gone ahead perhaps if OV had not got a single pontoon walkway up and back. This year I believe Solent Park (Wher sunseeker and Gibbs are normally is not available) so will be mayflower park only and the water this year. I'm sure we will all have a great time when it is open. !! If of course anyone has any boats to sell !!!!!!
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Solent Park being unavailable is a big blow - that significantly reduces the space available just when they need more to allow the stands to be more spaced out and wider walk-ways.
 
GARYSJENKINS said:
As a newbie to the idea of boat ownership wanting to understand brands, models, prices it's a little off putting when the various boat shows state "open to SERIOUS visitors. Hard to describe ourselves as serious buyers until we understand the market and options. However the Southampton show seems open to all comers.
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Yes I agree that its not the right message to send out for an industry that needs to keep attracting new buyers. On the other hand with Covid guidelines in force, visitor numbers are going to be restricted so the exhibitors, who have spent a lot of money supporting the show by bringing their boats, will want to ensure that those visitors are genuine current or future potential buyers rather than tyre kickers

Having said this, I would say you qualify as a future potential buyer so why not contact one of the exhibitors to express an interest in one of their boats and get yourself a ticket?
 
Reality61 said:
This year I believe Solent Park (Wher sunseeker and Gibbs are normally is not available) so will be mayflower park only and the water this year. I'm sure we will all have a great time when it is open. !! If of course anyone has any boats to sell !!!!!!
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That really isnt good news. Any idea why that area isnt available?

Sunseeker are one of the core exhibitors at SIBS and if they are restricted to on water exhibits only, then that might put their attendance at the exhibition in question especially with the Cannes and Genoa shows so adjacent

And just to add my fourpenny worth, I get really irritated every year by the fact that the ramps down to the pontoons and up again are one way only for visitors which means I have to walk around the whole on water exhibition just to see the one or two boats I want to see. I hate being treated like an IKEA customer at a boat show. Also I guess that the policy of having to book slots to get onto boats will be far more widespread due to Covid restrictions which is another thing that annoys the hell out of me especially when I turn up at the appointed time only to be told by the bimbo gatekeepers that they're running late and could I come back later.

Personally if I hear that Covid restrictions are going to make the SIBS experience any more irritating than normal, I'll think twice about attending and I'm guessing a few others will think the same. So whilst I understand that Covid restrictions have to be respected, the organisers should also think about how their plans affect the visitor experience
 
sarabande1 said:
Yes I agree that its not the right message to send out for an industry that needs to keep attracting new buyers. On the other hand with Covid guidelines in force, visitor numbers are going to be restricted so the exhibitors, who have spent a lot of money supporting the show by bringing their boats, will want to ensure that those visitors are genuine current or future potential buyers rather than tyre kickers

Having said this, I would say you qualify as a future potential buyer so why not contact one of the exhibitors to express an interest in one of their boats and get yourself a ticket?
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I have never liked that over used and well worn Phrase 'Tyre Kickers'. It is never possible to tell or indeed know who will be able to buy what boat at what time. It is after all a show that people pay to enter. Ironically the people that many would call tyre kickers are those that pay to get in and very often those that call others tyre kickers and can easily afford to pay to get in don't and get in free. If only life were more fair
 
Bigplumbs said:
I have never liked that over used and well worn Phrase 'Tyre Kickers'. It is never possible to tell or indeed know who will be able to buy what boat at what time. It is after all a show that people pay to enter. Ironically the people that many would call tyre kickers are those that pay to get in and very often those that call others tyre kickers and can easily afford to pay to get in don't and get in free. If only life were more fair
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This is absolutely correct, if you don’t wish the great unwashed to look around your boats then don’t show at a public show that people pay to get in.
My feeling is the dealers treat these shows as a trade show whereas the organisers advertise them as a public show and stuck in the middle is the average joe that gets left with a very bad impression of the industry.
 
The number of boats and equipment sold at exhibitions doesn't bare out your belief. Always difficult to keep control of boarders as left to their own devices there would be so many onboard nobody could move.
 
seastoke said:
Yes it was great to see you there last year and we both agreed the Feretti was shit.
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Yeah good to see you too. Did you find a show ticket in the skip you were rummaging around in and did you manage to get into the show eventually? Maybe ditch the footie shirt and the I LUV JC tattoos next time
 
sarabande1 said:
Yeah good to see you too. Did you find a show ticket in the skip you were rummaging around in and did you manage to get into the show eventually? Maybe ditch the footie shirt and the I LUV JC tattoos next time
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Yes got lunch as well , had laser treatment now says Boris the Great , your wife would ?. My new Princess is arriving in 9 months time any name suggestions.
 
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