What a waste of time...

DeeGee

DeeGee

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...the LBS TV program I have just watched. Almost a repeat of last year.

I am all in favour of programmes promoting boating, and training for. But this program was just bilgewater.
<ul type="square"> [*]Mr Martin with two cookery spots on a wobbly platform never heeling more than 4 or 5deg (plates not sliding on dead-flat surfaces), [*]"entry level yachting" (THAT IS A DIRECT QUOTE) being defined as a 34ft, £180,000 stinkpot, without the extras (like 4 cushions at £100+). [*]The two presenters having a 'race' around the dock for a bit of a hoot [*]One of the presenters going on holiday in the BVI on a cat [/list]
The only item which seemed relevant to yachting was a one-off custom design of a cat for disabled sailors - as if that were the only initiative ever for disabled sailors - not a mention of the wonderful efforts elsewhere.

OK so I am a right old moaner... what did YOU think?? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Completely agree with you.
Usual superficial,irrelevant, politically correct rubbish and worst of all BORING!
Fortunately I video recorded it so only needed to waste 10 minutes of my own time.
 
What do you expect when the show is being presented by petrol heads. IMHO it was less slanted towards the v expensive mobo then some previous years, and believe pippa's section on the BVI and then on the laser were good for the entry level enthusiasm. - pity the rest of the show wasnt a bit better balanced.
 
Hmmm.
Didn't see anything that may have stirred my enthusiasm. May have been unfortunate planning, but it appears all serious sailing is done on cats these days.
Two static interviews with junior powerboaters, James May takin a dip in a very ill-defined slot (what was he telling us?) A gawp around a £5mill Sunseeker (wouldn't be a Boat Show show without one) and a quirky RIB with wheels which seemed a bit specialised.
What's the matter with the old Raymond Baxter format of here are some exciting new boats and here's the route you can take to get afloat?

Or was that what they were doing? did I miss the point?
 
Didn't see it, thought Mrs Spyro was taping it but managed to get Miss Marples instead. Don't know which would have been worse?
Said I would never watch it again after a couple of years ago when Richard Hammond (another petrol head) presented it. Why do they feel they have to get Top Gear presenters to introduce it?
 
I did see it and the reason why there isn't a "BOAT GEAR" is now proven. Who would present it?

The only positive was the every lovely Ms Forrester actually enojoying it, and the disabled guy getting sea sick!

Other than that where was the sailing. If your going to show a top end MOBO then why not a top end sailing yacht!

Going over to BBC Top Gear Site to now raise hell about letting James out of the garage!
 
It was poor. When you think of the effort that went into it (planning the race, the BVI trip, the cat for the disabled trip, the visit to the custom mobo manufacturer) someone must have spent quite a bit of money, put in a lot of effort & probably their mum thinks they did a good job - oh well...
 
I too thought it a bit of a cheek to suggest the Cat designed for wheel chairs was unique.The Jubilee Trust may take exception after thousands of wheelchair users have sailed on the Lord Nelson and other craft.

My YC has a small fleet of single seat keel boats designed for disabled use.

That said,she is an impressive Cat.With everything mechanised she could have applications not just for wheelchair users eg Elderly yachting folk could extend their sailing days further into old age The bridge looked very impressive even if the presenter found it a bit warm in there.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
totally agree. The programme was a utter wast of time. It showed little of interest to experienced boaters and nothing to get the imagination of those non boaters.
 
What always amazes me - the price of what they show you! Anybody would think that all boat owners must be loaded - it is possible to enjoy the water on a budget. I just wish they could show us realistic boats that might tempt us to visit - rather than just the dream!
 
That's up to you. The shows are largely entertainment, and just possibly aspirational. The people who actually go to the shows have a hugely different agenda.

Some are there for a day out, some are there because they want to buy a bit of kit, or even a boat.

Car shows are the same. Not everyone goes to see the latest £150k car cos they want to buy it, or are even nuts about cars. They go for a day out. Only a very small percentage are there to go car buying.
 
I can understand where you get you're concept of the show from but the fact that there are so many stands trying to sell Boat Gear direct from the Stand shows the fault in you're argument.

Martin
 
To what percentage normally? Most are saying boat show is empty. Those stands are probably trying to sell to someone? Not the people that used to come to Earls Court in their thousands just to look.
 
Well, Like you, I have no figures that back my opinion. There seemed to be more stands trying to sell direct in the old days though, as I have not attended a boatshow at Excel, I am not qualified to comment.

One of the major Swindlery chains, going bust a couple of years ago, may well have altered the landscape somewhat.

Martin
 
Did you see anything in the program which might make someone, who has been thinking about taking up sailing, feeling that this show might inform them of what is available??

I would like to see a show which addressed some or all of these:
<ul type="square"> [*]what is new in sailing? [*]what is available in different price brackets? [*]what new developments have been made in safety gear? [*]why is this boat of the same type, any better than that boat? [*]what new developments/products in auxiliaries - engines; tenders; technical equipment? [*]where the show is, and how to get there? [/list]
In essence, the same as a good magazine tries to do, but with the major advantage of moving pictures, voice and enthusiasm. There used to be a commentator, Bob Fisher (?), who I personally didnt like much, but he at least was knowledgeable and relatively enthusiastic. Imagine some little bits on racing with clips from everything from Oppie championships (I saw 300 Oppies racing late last year!!) to VOR.

TV producers are always looking for material to fill their 24hrs, so much so that reruns of ancient soaps are de rigeur, they could run a series on sailing, let alone this one crummy hour of cra p.
 
Agree that the show was very poor.

It would be nice if they actualy looked at the few British manufacturers remaining. I see no harm in giving a bit of free publicity for the sake ok UK Inc. I bet French/Italians do.

Not over the top - just a look at what they have as part of the show.

Actually ANYTHING other than another ^%£&& cooking section! next they will be doing 'boat make-overs'. Oh, sorry Tom Cunliff got there already.....
 
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