Southampton Boat Show 2022

[Time Out]

Its a show I only go to visit rather than work now.

Some shows have bounced back post COVID others have not. Cannes the former, Southampton the latter.

That said Cannes was never an equipment / retail show, Southampton was. Unfortunately Southampton is no longer a retail show ! Whilst shopping I was directed to several websites to purchase vs taking away there and then. I get that and respect that given OEMs are there to push their products but that fact there were next to no retailers there kind of made the whole thing pointless.

BUT I did walk away with another inflatable product in the form of a decent kayak. Knowledgable staff, decent kit, a good deal and they wheeled it out to the car ! Talking of car, I drove and paid five quid to park all day in West Quay. You cannot argue with that.

Last year I ended up purchasing a paddle board ( show deal) after ordering it on the train home !

Now for the floating stuff. I have family and friends pushing product of all sizes. As of tonight were orders flying through the door ? No. Many factors, supply being one of the biggest issues. That said Cannes exhibitors (well the larger ones I deal with ) couldn’t keep up with the writing of contracts.

So, yes the show was smaller that much is fact, will it survive. Of course it will, there will always be a market for a UK show. With London gone Southampton will continue for many years to come. It may take a different form but it’s not going anywhere.

I still firmly believe that Düsseldorf will be a shadow of its former self. Yes builders will go but the investment won’t be the same.

Cannes will be king for a long time to come.

Food wise I had a decent duck wrap and there was plenty on offer. It’s an outside event so you have to be realistic. It’s far better than previous years.

Seating is an issue, yes. The mount is always popular as long as you don’t sit on a wasps nest ….

 

[truro expat]

I never went to Southampton this year but have been many times before, I did Cannes on the Friday for late night opening and it was really good, defiantly worth the trip and the weather was a bonus, 1 day is not enough just like Dusseldorf which you will need 2 days to do justice. I decided on Vannes as there are a lot of non UK boats there that you don't see in the UK hence worth the visit.

 

[superheat6k]

I went Saturday. Was definitely smaller. I was surprised to not see an MDL lounge as normal , poor show by them I think seeing as Boatfolk and Premier were there.
The pontoon display was also smaller and lacking "classic" boat makers.
My favourites were the Dale 37 and the Targa 46. Also the free bar at the fairline stand.

With full marinas due to the Covid buying boom I suspect they figured why bother.

I found the show throbbing with visitors today and everyone really buoyant, and few signs of the potential mega depression that may arrive this winter.

I guess some of the stall holders are suffering show fatigue. So this winter I will be buying two 2" shaft seals, and whereas I am a fan of PSS, I was interested by a competitive looking seal claimed by its literature to be the best thing since sliced bread. So stood there for almost 5 minutes on an otherwise empty stand, studying the seal and trying to work out its benefits, the two chaps present were simply not interested in breaking up their own chit chat, and instead of speaking to me about this unknown (to me ) make of seal, despite me trying to gain their attention several times, but without wishing to be rude. I gave up and moved on, and did not even bother to pick up the leaflet. Looks like ASAP / Aquafax will get my £1,500 as was originally expected, indeed when I visited the ASAP stand they could not have been more helpful and welcoming, indeed they even checked stock on the range of 2" shaft PSS seals available (I do not yet know the stern tube size).

 

[Soton sailor]

It really did seem a lot smaller this year - and the enforced single walkway at the start past the assertive life-insurance sales team, the dog food sales team and the teak garden furniture team didn't give a good impression. The marina was a lot better, but the downsized area where the Sunseeker boats were ashore was clearly reduced. I went in with a shopping list and left with the same shopping list! Next year I may go for the social, but I think the days of good deals on a huge range of kit are gone.

 

[ST840]

It really did seem a lot smaller this year - and the enforced single walkway at the start past the assertive life-insurance sales team, the dog food sales team and the teak garden furniture team didn't give a good impression. The marina was a lot better, but the downsized area where the Sunseeker boats were ashore was clearly reduced. I went in with a shopping list and left with the same shopping list! Next year I may go for the social, but I think the days of good deals on a huge range of kit are gone.

The days of "end of show bargains" is long gone..
Nobody likes to barter anymore!

 

[Seastoke]

The small show at Birmingham had few stalls , it many peeps were over crowding the ones that were there, opertunities lowest.

 

[Seastoke]

The small show at Birmingham had few stalls , it many peeps were over crowding the ones that were there, opertunities missed.

 

[markc]

I went on Saturday afternoon. It was pretty busy, but from chatting to a range of sales folk on the boats, they said it was busy, but a real dearth of buyers this year. IMHO the Ikea-fication of many brands continues which is a shame, especially when looking at their cost. Fairline cabinetry looked good, but as usual I find their attention to detail around general finishing pretty poor. If I was fortunate enough to be in a position to buy new, I think Princess would get my money.

 

[Sianna]

We went, yesterday, Sunday, it was busy enough to feel a buzz about the place, but quite enough to have time with any of the stand's staff to discuss future purchases.

I really liked the Marex 360


however the "boss" preferred the Grandezza 37



Neither left a lot of change from 1/2m though .