Southampton Boat Show - 2023

[Concerto]

Did anyone notice all the food stalls, except the permanent park cafe, only took cards, not cash. I found out the reason. The show organisers charge food stalls a flat fee for space and then a percentage of their turnover. If they take any cash they can be closed down.

On Tuesday night the YouBoat stand was robbed. Some people jumped the fence and cut a slit in a back fabric panel of their marquee and stole a whole load of expensive waterproof jackets. Chatting with a security guard, I know how many CCTV cameras there are, and there are a lot, but this place was not covered. I know 2 years ago 3 lads tried to break into the showground late at night, so it is not unusual.

Last night was the exhibitors party with free drinks and boy do some know how to drink. One man was ejected as he was on a banned list as he was disruptive last year. The highlight for most was when a rain filled gutter between two arched canopies pulled out and drenched about a dozen people. The gutter was about 60ft long and 2ft deep and was like a massive waterfall. One lady was completely soaked from head to toe, not a dry bit anywhere. Many of those nearby laughed, but I felt sorry for those who got soaked.

There is so much more going on at a show than just looking at boats and boat bits. The last 2 days of the show are looking very good with no rain, so if you have not visited, do come along.

 

[Sandy]

Attended today. Saw lots of lovely people I know, @Concerto was nowhere to be seen, Brian from Le Tonk tells me he is 81

Very disappointed in the lack of knowledgeable staff on stands, bored looking stall holders staring at their PCs and as from the intimidation from the RNLI chuggers well that is enough to put anybody off joining.

The food offerings were dire and well over what I was willing to pay.

No purchases made but a long list of companies to contact when bits are needed.

 

[steveeasy]

Attended today. Saw lots of lovely people I know, @Concerto was nowhere to be seen, Brian from Le Tonk tells me he is 81

Very disappointed in the lack of knowledgeable staff on stands, bored looking stall holders staring at their PCs and as from the intimidation from the RNLI chuggers well that is enough to put anybody off joining.

The food offerings were dire and well over what I was willing to pay.

No purchases made but a long list of companies to contact when bits are needed.

Was thinking yesterdy about the RNLI who were trying to get us lot to contribute while I was down there. Think they were asking for a min of £6 per month donation. £6 per month for 24 hr cover 365 days a year, it should be compulsorily. I found the staff in no way intimidating, Quite the opposite actually.

Steveeasy

 

[Sandy]

Was thinking yesterdy about the RNLI who were trying to get us lot to contribute while I was down there. Think they were asking for a min of £6 per month donation. £6 per month for 24 hr cover 365 days a year, it should be compulsorily. I found the staff in no way intimidating, Quite the opposite actually.

Steveeasy

My experience was very different. Must have been approaching by 10 chuggers throughout the show all wanting to have a chat, but would desist if politely told no.

Perhaps it was because it was the last weekend and they are expecting more general public.

Note to self: wear my SNSM tee shirt next time I visit and speak in broken English.

 

[steveeasy]

My experience was very different. Must have been approaching by 10 chuggers throughout the show all wanting to have a chat, but would desist if politely told no.

Perhaps it was because it was the last weekend and they are expecting more general public.

Note to self: wear my SNSM tee shirt next time I visit and speak in broken English.

Im a soft touch when it comes to a pretty Face!!

Steveeasy

 

[lustyd]

Was thinking yesterdy about the RNLI who were trying to get us lot to contribute while I was down there. Think they were asking for a min of £6 per month donation. £6 per month for 24 hr cover 365 days a year, it should be compulsorily. I found the staff in no way intimidating, Quite the opposite actually.

Steveeasy

If it was compulsory they’d have to spend a lot more wisely than they do. Much better as it is with them taking enormous revenues and buying what they want.

 

[steveeasy]

If it was compulsory they’d have to spend a lot more wisely than they do. Much better as it is with them taking enormous revenues and buying what they want.

Worthy of its own thread. Im sure they buy wisely and probably need enormous revenues to support it.

Steveasy

 

[lustyd]

Worthy of its own thread. Im sure they buy wisely and probably need enormous revenues to support it.

Steveasy

They buy good kit but don’t hold back like an organisation accountable to customers. It’s been discussed many times, not an issue people give freely and they get the best kit. They could provide the same service for far less without affecting safety even if they had to pay the crews (which they would if it were a compulsory service with a fee.)

 

[Parabordi]

I really think Southampton Council needs to change lots of traffic lights for roundabouts instead.

 

[Concerto]

Attended today. Saw lots of lovely people I know, @Concerto was nowhere to be seen, Brian from Le Tonk tells me he is 81

Very disappointed in the lack of knowledgeable staff on stands, bored looking stall holders staring at their PCs and as from the intimidation from the RNLI chuggers well that is enough to put anybody off joining.

The food offerings were dire and well over what I was willing to pay.

No purchases made but a long list of companies to contact when bits are needed.

You should have given me a call. Virtually all of the day I was on the Konsort in the marina. A lot of those who I spoke to were very grateful for the advice I was giving, be that about the Westerly Owners Association, different boats that Westerly built, repairing and renovating boats, sailing round Britain, getting into sailing cruisers, etc, etc.

 

[onesea]

I really think Southampton Council needs to change lots of traffic lights for roundabouts instead.

Oh I don't know they like to combine the two, traffic lights and roundabouts. They can achieve minimal traffic movement with only the minimum of vehicles.

The locals they can be quite aggressive if you are not following the local culture and traditions of traffic lanes.
These frequently vary considerably from those marked on the roads, however they normally allow more traffic flow.

 

[mjcoon]

I really think Southampton Council needs to change lots of traffic lights for roundabouts instead.

Are there lots of car ferries disgorging people who might go round them widdershins?

 

[ashtead]

Lovely fly past of a spitfire and a hurricane yesterday afternoon enjoyed with a beer at boatfolk stand so thanks to Ben and team for hospitality.

 

[Parabordi]

Are there lots of car ferries disgorging people who might go round them widdershins?

Eh?

 

[mrming]

I went on Friday. Spent a few hours having a nose around. Highlights included a beautiful Spirit yacht, the new (ish) First 36 and a Dragonfly 28 performance. Great to get on board some boats I usually just drool over on the Internet.

 

[Concerto]

The show has finished. I do not think it was as well attended this year through a combination of factors. Exhibitors I have chatted with say sales were OK but not great.

I found out more on the YouBoat robbery. Besides expensive waterproof jackets, they stole electonics including VHF radios and PLBs. Total value lost was £18,000. Last night there was another break in on a stall and small cash safe was stolen. I believe that additional CCTV will be added next year.

As the show closed I managed to have a look at the new GT325. Compared to my Fulmar it seems massive as it is 10" wider with the extra beam continuing aft to a wide transom. Beautifully fitted out with quality fittings like Anderson winches. The show boat still has not been sold but it was £235,000 plus VAT, which I did not consider expensive for a well made hand crafted boat with a proper wood interior. No sharp corners and a modern look, but not like Ikea. Yes, you can buy a larger production boat for this money, but this boat certainly had a air of quality. So if you want to stand out from the crowd, then worth considering.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Eh?

He means, furriners. Drive on the wrong side of the road and go round their roundabouts anticlockwise. Widdershins.

 

[ashtead]

Spirit yachts are great -my daughter sailed on Nazgûl and perhaps we don’t quite compare but of those on offer and maybe it’s an age thing but for size for our use age the HR beats the competition however I guess for many price wise a dufour41 appeals over a HR 40.

 

[Sandy]

Almost all of the boats had big arses and twin wheels. If I was in the position of buying a new boat they would not be on my wish list. Horrible to helm as you don't have a good 360° view without bouncing from port to starboard.

 

[lustyd]

Almost all of the boats had big arses and twin wheels. If I was in the position of buying a new boat they would not be on my wish list. Horrible to helm as you don't have a good 360° view without bouncing from port to starboard.

You don't with a single wheel in the middle either, you have to move to look around the sails. At least with twin wheels you can sit somewhere to look under/over the sail which reduces movement, and you can easily get to the dinghy or swim platform. There's a reason they all have that now, even Hallberg Rassey belatedly joined the party as they always do 20 years late.