Thank You from National Boat Shows

[Boat Shows]

First off, apologies for not dropping in here more often, the Show is keeping us busy! Also, thanks to Richard for helping correct a few inaccuracies in some of the other threads.

We would like to assure you that all your feedback in the other threads is being read and digested by National Boat Shows, and we will be taking these points into our upcoming planning sessions for 2013. For anyone that has yet to comment on the other threads, please feel free to add your voice, either on those threads or here. As boaters your views are extremely important to us, and we are listening.

For anyone who has not yet come to this year’s Show, and who is still wondering if they should, can we offer the following points.

Although there are fewer sailing boats on display than at Southampton the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show does offer the opportunity to see some boats for the first time anywhere, and some for the first time in the UK. For example the Southerly 420, Grand Soleil 39, Crabber 12 and Mystery 30 mkII. Plus in the case of Feeling yachts, the chance to see them in the UK for the first time in many years.

In addition to the Boats there is a very wide variety of kit on display, and the most interesting point that continually surfaces in our Show research is the high number of people who come to the Show expecting to buy brand A, but after trying several alternatives actually buy brand B which was better suited to them.

The Show is still on until 6pm Tomorrow – we hope to see you here.

 

[Sailfree]

Reviewing all the comments I consider the main points to be

1. There is a recession

2. While numbers are down its the tyre kickers that are absent and the fewer but serious buyers are still attending (post boat show sales figures would be interesting)

3. The internet has drastically changed buying methods including ability to make purchases cross EU or even international purchases and boat show bargains cannot offset the ticket price eg I recently purchased Steiner Commader Binnoculars far cheaper.

4. The overall cost benefits of exhibiting are slowly reducing the number of exhibitors.


It is sad to see the decline of British boatbuilding and marketing costs must be a factor.

We currently have 3 UK shows Excel, Southampton and Alexandra Palace. No one venue will suit everyone.

Southampton is popular as the sun often shines in September and the boats are exhibited often on the water so sitting in the cockpit is an easier sell to SWMBO to part with lots of £ to indulge in what is mostly a male passion. I notice one complaint about SIB's is that its always overcrowded!!

The problem remains for Excel.

Excel has a good display of Dinghys and the most are UK built. Many Dinghy sailors would be interested in bigger boats and chandlery but not enough to just visit Excel.

If Excel is not to whither on the vine I think the LIBS and Dinghy show at Alexandra palace must combine. EDIT see Kens later post - good idea include the diving show as well. I cannot see that a show in January has any advantages over say March when thoughts are turning to Spring and Summer.

While not ideal I think Excel is overall the best but probably in March. This would enable many Chanderys & Dinghy manufacturers to increase their sales for only one exhibition cost and the larger range of interests power, sailing and dinghys would increase attendance.

Ignoring the diehard NEC & Earl court supporters (which we are categorically assured are non starters) does anyone have any better ideas?

I would add that I have always pay to attend the SIB I only go to Excel as I get a free ticket - I went last Thursday and thought it was sad with so few people!!

 

[Richard Shead]

First off, apologies for not dropping in here more often, the Show is keeping us busy! Also, thanks to Richard for helping correct a few inaccuracies in some of the other threads.

We would like to assure you that all your feedback in the other threads is being read and digested by National Boat Shows, and we will be taking these points into our upcoming planning sessions for 2013. For anyone that has yet to comment on the other threads, please feel free to add your voice, either on those threads or here. As boaters your views are extremely important to us, and we are listening.

For anyone who has not yet come to this year’s Show, and who is still wondering if they should, can we offer the following points.

Although there are fewer sailing boats on display than at Southampton the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show does offer the opportunity to see some boats for the first time anywhere, and some for the first time in the UK. For example the Southerly 420, Grand Soleil 39, Crabber 12 and Mystery 30 mkII. Plus in the case of Feeling yachts, the chance to see them in the UK for the first time in many years.

In addition to the Boats there is a very wide variety of kit on display, and the most interesting point that continually surfaces in our Show research is the high number of people who come to the Show expecting to buy brand A, but after trying several alternatives actually buy brand B which was better suited to them.

The Show is still on until 6pm Tomorrow – we hope to see you here.

Used 50's to be left under the crash test boat please.

 

[Twister_Ken]

If Excel is not to whither on the vine I think the LIBS and Dinghy show at Alexandra palace must combine. I cannot see that a show in January has any advantages over say March when thoughts are turning to Spring and Summer.

Is it Ally Pally? Used to be Crystal Palace and very low rent compared to ExCel. But there is a well attended dive show at ExCel in March. Add on to that LIBS and the Dinghy Show and you might have critical mass.

 

[Richard Shead]

Is it Ally Pally? Used to be Crystal Palace and very low rent compared to ExCel. But there is a well attended dive show at ExCel in March. Add on to that LIBS and the Dinghy Show and you might have critical mass.

Good idea but I think we should add haberdashery live to knit all the shows together.

Job done.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Good idea but I think we should add haberdashery live to knit all the shows together.

Job done.

Are you trying to needle me, or stitch me up?

 

[Richard Shead]

Are you trying to needle me, or stitch me up?

Add some Singers as well ..

 

[sarabande]

this IS a boaty thread, isn't it ?

 

[Resolution]

Seems to be general agreement that in today's climate we have too many boatshows in the UK.
One regular exhibitor today suggested that we ditch Southampton and instead hold the annual show in September at London.
Before everyone says ***!!, his reasoning was that:
1. Excel is much better for small exhibitors as it's inside and their stands are easy.
2. The outside dock could become a real in-the-water attraction in warmer weather., so more boat manufacturers could display in the water.
3. Few competing boatshows in Europe then, so European manufacturers would be able to come (Dec/Jan/Feb sees shows in France, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Finland, Holland, Belgium and Denmark.)
4. Gives the longest lead time for deliveries for the following season, which might help to reduce the awful March/April commissioning pressure.

 

[Twister_Ken]

this IS a boaty thread, isn't it ?

The Singers are shantymen.

 

[sarabande]

excellent spin, well written, Boatshows !


Will you take bets (one of the lifeboats as a beneficiary) that we will see a proper Boat Show in London next year ?

 

[rwoofer]

Have to say I would support the dinghy show combining with Excel as access to Ally Pally is far more hopeless than Excel. I don't think that will happen though because Excel just seems to cost exhibitors far too much and small dinghy builders and classes will be priced out.

 

[sarabande]

One regular exhibitor today suggested that we ditch Southampton and instead hold the annual show in September at London. .

and did he consider the contaminated air in our blessed capital city ? I know where I want to see and touch boats - on the sea, not in some soulless concrete monolithic structure.

 

[Colvic Watson]

excellent spin, well written, Boatshows !

That's a bit rich coming from the former Rocna PR guru!

 

[Boathook]

I went to the show on Friday. Really enjoyed the outdoor bit that seemed busier that the boat bit. I would not of gone to LIBS if it was just the boat bit. The outdoor section seem to have a buzz that Earlscourt had many years ago. Possibly combining the dinghy show in march and the dive show (I had not heard of this before) in to one big show may be good for all. I have got fed up with the emails from boatshow about a special price for extra show tickets as I had purchased some earlier. The special price was the same that I paid - £12. LIBS was expensive for a beer - £4.30 for a pint. What a rip off, so just had the one. Also avoided the food due to excessive prices.
Had a good time going round London after leaving the show - St Pauls, pub, H of P, pub .... you get the idea !

 

[jdc]

I really like LIBS at Excel!

1. It's an hour or even a bit less from my work (in Cambridge) to parked at Excel, so for some of us at least it's very convenient.

2. The building is superb for the purpose. It's huge and clean and the food and drink has improved incomparably compared to a few years ago. I HATED Earls Court, which was small and grotty and so 1960s amateurish as well as a nightmare to get to.

3. Some years I also travel to it, or from it, to the city - that way I can do some work and bunk off to the show without taking a day's holiday - and the DLR works very well. I can even stop off in Limehouse to visit the CA.

4. January is the right time. For me, it's not about buying a boat - for that Southampton or brokerages or direct approach to manufacturers, with a chance of a test sail - it's about the winter tasks and the coming season. If the show wasn't 'til March I'd have finished so I simply wouldn't have any questions to ask of the reps there, nor would I buy things (so wouldn't go). If before Christmas I wouldn't buy quite so many presents for myself!

5. After 12th night and in the middle of winter (although today was so nice we had the top down in the car all the way there and back) it's a real fillip to go to the show and believe that a new season is just around the corner.

So to take today as an example:

- I looked at and played with the Raymarine e7.
- I was able to convince both Navionics and Raymarine reps that the e7 has a fatal bug and can't render half the Navionics Gold charts I just bought. Couldn't do this on the internet.
- I bought a PC chartplotter at a discount price, plus vector charts from Euronav
- I bought almanacks etc from Kelvin Hughes, and ordered charts, P&P free. I looked at and bought pilot books and a new log book, none of which I could do properly on line.
- I bought a range of stuff from ASAP, again free P&P
- I was able to talk to Mikuni and to Gasboat (Mr Hayward himself), and came away a couple of £100 the lighter, but with some bits I really needed and with lots of excellent advice
- I bought bedding material, and again could discuss how to measure and cut and fit it
- I spoke to a rigger from XM, who, I think, has just sorted a problem I've had for the last 5 years, and bought some rope from English Braids at a deeply discounted price.

And I can't remember the rest, but spoke to loads of people and got or ordered all the bits I need for this winter's jobs. Cost: petrol, but little compared to a trip to Falmouth, and £10 parking. Entry ticket was a free one I admit. The savings on P&P and discounts easily covered these costs 3x over. So one happy, albeit poorer, customer.

What would I like more of? Industrial / commercial equipment (pity Gael Force weren't there) and proper quality fishing tackle. What could I do without? poncy and expensive 'art'.

 

[haydude]

The Show is still on until 6pm Tomorrow – we hope to see you here.

Stay positive!

 

[bigwow]

Good idea but I think we should add haberdashery live to knit all the shows together.

Job done.

Nigel at Nationwide Exhibitions is your man then.

 

[wizard]

and did he consider the contaminated air in our blessed capital city ? I know where I want to see and touch boats - on the sea, not in some soulless concrete monolithic structure.

Are you by any chance the Sarabande moored in Haskar on Friday night?

 

[FishyInverness]

What would I like more of? Industrial / commercial equipment (pity Gael Force weren't there) and proper quality fishing tackle. What could I do without? poncy and expensive 'art'.

We (The marine equipment sales team) would have loved to have been there - unfortunately it is all down to the costs of exhibiting these days, which for us "up here" is very high. doesn't appear to be a huge customer demand for the commercial gear at London/Southampton either, that tends to be one for the Scottish Fishing Expos - showing some of the commercial gear at "conventional" shows has been discussed here at length though so perhaps for the future.

Incidentally, notice your boat is in Falmouth, did you know there is now a GF commercial chandlery in Plymouth?