YM: Boat Show Civil War?

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I can't help feeling we go to different shows or live in different worlds.

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Must be.

James - let's face it: you're a well known face in the yachting business, and as you say - you've been around for years.
I'm a scruffy looking nobody out of the sticks.

No doubt you will get a different reception.

Try shaving the beard (but it's OK to leave a 2-3 day stubble), grow a full head of hair and and wear some casual (and well worn) dayclothes. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
You'll find it's like becoming invisible
 
Re: Sounds a great show

So have they found a sponsor yet then?



I have to agree with JJ about the dates. A boat show is, sadly, first and foremost a leisure activity. The whole sector struggles in December if it can not tap into Christmas. Okay so some Christmas shopping will be possible but lets face it, boaty people are not going to be going buying Chrimbo presents for themsevles are they?
 
Re: Sounds a great show

Guapa, never go to a boatshow like that.

Wear your most expensive blazer and designer sunglasses, you'll have a much better day out, I promise.
 
Ummm... Well, of course, Tom used to own a Bristol Channel Pilor Cutter, so he is no stranger to old. As for small, maybe the fact that he is 6ft 5in and built to match rules out Foxcubs and Leisure 17s.

You may remember him on a Twister. Rival and Arpege a couple of years ago. He was on a Dufour 34 recently and he frequently helps readers with problems of boats of all (well, most sizes). I know Tom has a passion for older, medium sized boats and a healthy scepticism of the modern. I don't know what he charges so I've no idea who can afford him.

Another thouht on this that, when he is doing practical work for YM it is almost always on a borrowed boat which usually means borrowing a demonstrator from an agent or a sea school boat. These tend to be new or newish and, to make camera work easier, need to be 35ftish
 
Thanks for the reply JJ.

I think you should be spared the in depth critque of your employers product. I get irate when thread after thread having a pop at yacht insurers, or at the very least telling us how it should be done so I see no reason why you should be subjected to the same!

On the subject in hand, I too have my doubts about two shows in the same city within two months and as stated above, I really think that the first week in December is a daft time.

If there is really scope for another show then somewhere accessable to the whole country in April might be the way to go, just as most of the boating world are working up to the season ahead. I guess then though, whilst great for the paying visitor, would be the wrong time for the industry as they are rushed off their feet during what surveyors call 'silly season'.
 
Re: Sounds a great show

Fair one, but I haven't got the money to fall back on so I have to wear a nice jacket.

(That said, some might say I dress like a ponse anyway).
 
Re: Sounds a great show

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(That said, some might say I dress like a ponse anyway).

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To quote Francis Urquhart: You may very well say think that, I could not possibly comment /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Have a good WE.
Off to the boat in a couple of hours /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Re: Sounds a great show

Sounds good. We're going to get out on tomorrow afternoon's high tide. Preparing for house move and cleaning of cars to be done before then.
 
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So, here's what I hope Earls Court will deliver:
2. Approachable & knowledgeable exhibitors. I don't want to waste my time trying to grab the attention of a stuffed shirt in a blue blazer only to find out that he can't answer a simple technical question. Most likely because he was selling double glazing last week and will be selling used cars next week.
3. Realistic boats - nothing above the 44-45 ft mark. Something attainable.
.

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I like to think I don't fit your description in number 2, but you may be suprised to know apart from ONE boat, everything I sold at SIBS and London was over 44ft, and the one that wasn't was 42ft. Yet we had models at 32, 34, 36 and 38ft on display.

Times have changed, it doesn't seem too long ago that I classed 30ft as a big boat. It's now not unusual for a first time buyer to buy a 45ftr.
 
I was totally ignored at Excel this year unless I was looking at stuff over forty feet. So it cuts both ways.

There was a certain joy in saying "oh yes, I have a rather small share in a Swan 53". Of course nobody asked how small, I think it's one five hundred and fiftieth or some such and I can not sell it!
 
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Times have changed, it doesn't seem too long ago that I classed 30ft as a big boat. It's now not unusual for a first time buyer to buy a 45ftr.

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I don't know what to think - on the one hand there are brokers stating - as you did just now - that people are buying ever larger boats.
On the other hand - where-ever we've been over the last 6-7 years (Gillingham, Ramsgate, Ostend, Shotley, Burnham & now Levington) the median boat size has always been (and continues to be) something in the 34-36ft range.
Since last year we've got a bigger boat (43ft), and at times it's been a struggle to find a mooring/berth. Our size appears to be at the top end of the scale, and berths/moorings are harder to find. I assume because there are not many boats our size about.

So, I'm left wondering: where are all these big boats?
Or am I suffering from tunnel vision? I do not frequent/can't afford the South Coast, so I never get to see these bigger boats?

Or has the average first time buyer now changed? More types like that merchant banker wot parked his boat on Anvil Point?
 
Lots of 40ft plus on the south coast, and a couple of the ones I sold were due to head straight to the Med or France where berthing is cheaper. Thanks to the low cost airlines, keeping boats overseas is now an attractive option for some.

The client profile was quite varied, no Bankers but some Finance types and Lawyers, but mainly small business owners.

Smaller boats did sell, but there was no doubt most of the interest was 40ft and above.

For the record I don't ignore anybody, especially as so many forumites come and find me now. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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Try shaving the beard (but it's OK to leave a 2-3 day stubble), grow a full head of hair and and wear some casual (and well worn) dayclothes.
You'll find it's like becoming invisible

[/ QUOTE ] Yep, that's me too. I retired a year ago and have learned the delights of 2-3 day's stubble, well-worn clothes and invisibility. I thought at first it was an age thing. But last week I shaved, and put on a clean shirt, a tie and a suit to give a lecture. Went into the petrol station and one or two other shops on the way back and, hey, I had become visible again. On balance, I prefer invisibility. People expect less and, when you do establish communication, it is much easier.
 
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Ooh. Is the Swan 53 called Lutine, by any chance, you being in insurance an' that? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

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She is indeed.
 
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