will Wauquiez, Oyster, British Hunter/Cornish Crabbers et al be missed

steve_cronin

steve_cronin

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..at the London Boat Show?

It was rumoured at So'ton (& confirmed by two of the above) that some builders just don't like the Excel format and will be absent from the LIBS next year.

Steve Cronin
 
I'm sure that some might, however, I'm really surprised that anybody thinks that the old smelly, cramped venue is anything other than well assigned to history.
 
Not by me.

No interest in a new boat; just there to buy toys for the old one.

Suspect this is true of most Show visitors.
 
Re: Not by me.

[ QUOTE ]
No interest in a new boat; just there to buy toys for the old one.

Suspect this is true of most Show visitors.

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too, although others do go there to do a deal on a boat. I heard the Opal (Bavaria) sales director on Radio Solent - he said they take 60% of their annual orders at the two shows.
 
I was surprised when I heard that Hunter/Crabber (Select YAchts) was withdrawing. It was a decision they took shortly after the last Excel show. But having talked to them about it at Southampton I can see their point. It's a long way from Cornwall and very expensive for makers of a low-margin product. They have to sell a yard-full of boats to cover costs.

The other two are specialist builders with high margins but small unit sales. Other marketing methods could well be more productive and, with only short production runs to dispose of, can find themselves at the show with no slots to offer for many months, even years ahead.

It also seems Excel are shooting themselves in the foot over exhibitor access to the show during the build-up period. Amazingly, it seems it was easier to get boats on site and in position quickly at quirky, out-of-date, old Earls Court.

The London Show has also become very much a motorboat and equipment show with sailing boats being even rarer than they are at Southampton. Southampton is a far better time, place and environment at which to sell yachts.

Because of all this I am not, now surprised to hear these companies are, or might be, withdrawing. However, I am sad about it because from a visitor's perspective, and leaving aside the question of getting to the show, I find Excel a far, far better show site than Earls Court. I don't think I would change my mind if I was not working at the show either. It would be a shame if it became a second class show.

And don't even think about the NEC - ghastly place in my view.
 
I have no objection to Excel either (we have a flat a couple of tube stops from it!) but as they seem to be hiking up the price several 100s of %s to exhibitors as well as the farce over access you mention, it is easy to get the impression that the accountants are "running the show" so to speak!

I do think that Soton COULD though be improved. Having to scale a couple of wobbly bridges to get around a show plonked on top of a confluence of dual carriageways and a couple of roundabouts is absurd IMO.

Then there's the food situation. I have a ruined pair of designer jeans due to a "kebab" exploding all over them when I tried to eat it perched on the corner of a shared chair without the benefit of plate, cutlery or napkins at the food "Arena".

I still have to consider LIBS as the premier show but if sailing becomes a quirky minority fringe passtime then we can't expect much more enthusiasm from venue owners than they might give to the British Budgerigar Show, I suppose.

Steve Cronin
 
...if sailing becomes a quirky minority fringe passtime...

Oh, yes, please...PLEASE!

Just think of it...loads of room everywhere, cheap marina berths, chandlers no longer selling rubbish at inflated prices...well worth losing all the Boat Shows for that!
 
Steve

keep it to yourself, I would'nt want the place over run, promise now?

The best place to eat at SIBS or LIBS is the RYA 'lounge'. Always get a table, proper tools. Bit civilised.

[ QUOTE ]
I have a ruined pair of designer jeans

[/ QUOTE ]

Never mind wear them doing the antifouling!
 
Re: will Wauquiez, Oyster, British Hunter/Cornish Crabbers et al be mi

Yes they'll be missed, but I doubt if it will significantly impact their sales.

Wauquiez and Oyster in particular are rather premium brands and so unlikely to appeal to someone who will be making their choice based on what they see at the show.

Hunter perhaps are the most likely to suffer - but these guys are businessmen who wouldn't take the decision without good reason.
 
Earls Court was a steamy atmosphere filled SHOW-Excel is nothing more than a shed in which the marine trade displays its products. I went last year because I wanted to buy gear-and did, not too crowded and was able to obtain the info. I required, but I wont be going next year because I don't need anything, but I would have gone to Earls Court for a day out and the razmataz! Probably less impulse buying at Excel. As for the NEC, just like Excel, but easier to reach by air and train and road(in theory) from most of the country. The roofs are higher so there would be some sails flying-that's it! Thats whats wrong with Excel! No sails, just stunted masts! Characterless.
 
We heard from the very nice lady at the entrance to the RYA lounge that they won't be at SIBS next year. (unless an awful lot of peeps complain)
They will be at LIBS though.
Better off at SIBS IMHO
 
[ QUOTE ]
The best place to eat at SIBS or LIBS is the RYA 'lounge'.

[/ QUOTE ]

But there won't be an RYA lounge at SIBS next year. Apparently the show organisers have jacked their prices up too far.
 
I once exhibited at Excel, not a Boatshow but a trade event. It was the worst attended show I have ever been to.

From the customers viewpoint Its a pain in the a---e to get to. From the exhibitors point of view its terrible for access during setup & breakdown.

For a Boatshow, putting boats in the water outside in January has to be the brainchild of an idiot.

I visited a trade show at Earls Court last weekend. It still feels welcoming & friendly.

Sounds to me like the LBS is doomed.

Martin
 
Agree, reasonably wholeheartedly. Excel has great potential for boats - but not in January, and decidedly not with current access.

Perhaps after the Olympics???

Having been brought up in London EC and Olympia (remember that) were easy to access and had atmosphere (smelly loos ?) NEC has the potential for recreating the EC atmosphere as the multitudinous halls can split the acres of AWBs with the promise of something (better) around the corner, and splitting up the facilities can reduce overload; for example that food outlet is full, let's try another.

The downside is trogging off along multiple motorways to get to it.

By the time BMF have sorted it there will be no boating industry left due to G.Brown and his henchperson D.Primarolo with another stealth tax.....
 
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