London Boat Show 2016

[SweetKingfisher1]

Hi All, well I got my email regarding the London Boat Show, so I have ordered and paid for Ian and my ticket. Has anyone heard on the grape vine what the 2016 show going to be like, please? We have been going to the London Boat Show for the pass 7 years and over the last couple of years it did go down hill. This year was a little better and that was because a lot of bad field back, after last years show (2014).

Regards

Marina  

[Baitrunner]

Marina,

No idea how good it will be - I went to this years one and it was OK, but did what I wanted to in about 3hrs one evening after work. I really fancy going to the Southampton show one year.

I was gutted last year because as I ordered my tickets early and then got offered about 5 pairs for free!! So held on this year and low and behold I have a pair of freebies on their way.

  

[JawsOrca]

I'm not sure if we will bother again this year... Last one was rubbish.

They are clearly desperate though, I've had the offer below.  I'd probably go if it was £10 for two tickets and free car parking lol but doubt it otherwise. Have fun ma and don't spend too much!  

Enjoy this early bird offer - 2 tickets from only £22* valid any one day between 8 -17 January includes Preview Day (Gate price - £27). Quote promotional code CM22.

[Baitrunner]

Alan,

   I did the evening ticket offer and went after work on one of the late days - plenty of time to do what I wanted to buy.

Not sure I would bother if I had to trek into London unless I really was after a new boat!! Which I am - I just cant afford one so no doubt will come home miserable

[JawsOrca]

Not sure I would go there even if I wanted a new boat as I'm sure the level of customer service is pretty low considering they are seeing a constant stream of day trippers.. Surely its better going boat looking on a quiet weekend and being left to look around at your leisure.

They really need to reinvent this show though, It needs something and the organisers needs to remove their heads and get the proper marine companies here to give us a reason to go.. (and yup tickets should be as close to free as possible) Shame.. We have brought stuff from here before and although we need/want stuff I'd rather deal with people over the phone/emails than go through the appalling sales pitch...  

[NeilB]

There's going to be a 60's theme to this years London Boatshow although I've no idea what this entails yet.  If I see anything else I'll let you all know.

They have moved Sunseeker to the back wall which is good as the previous layout put a huge block halfway down the hall.  God knows if Fairline will be there as they have just called in insolvency specialists and sent letters to all their creditors, including my firm.

Clive is exhibiting 2 boats there this year, he's a bit close to the new indoor pool feature so I hope it doesn't spring a leak!! 

I will be there but only 2 days as it's a dealer show now, Southampton, Seawork and Hillhead are the main ones for us in the UK.

 

[MauriceMynah]

22 minutes ago, NeilB said:

There's going to be a 60's theme to this years London Boatshow

A boating theme might be rather nice one year!

[Baitrunner]

MM so what's wrong with a garden shed or wicker furniture?

I am sure I saw a couple of marine objects there last year!

[SweetKingfisher1]

Fingers crossed for a good show. Well around 20 years ago we brought a Quad bike at the boat show, but we had it stolen from our garage .

Regards

Marina 

[JennyMorgan]

Acres of featureless white bling, varying from just tasteless to outright vulgar, screaming out 'lottery winner', offers little or no attraction to this boring old fart!  But then I'm not a buyer, just a reminiscer, I doubt that my presence at the Show would be much in demand! Each to their own though, the Show is not for me, and I'm not for the show. A Sixties theme, umm, my Dad's boat was Show Boat back in, I think it was 1964, a clinker built, timber East Coast estuary boat, complete with cotton gaff sail and no mains hook up. Apart from the Drascombe Lugger I doubt that there will be much '60's about the boats!

[Guest]

I'm a boring old f*rt like Peter.....

Every time the Boat Show subject comes up, I post a picture like this, fond memories.....

But boating itself was different then, less was more.

 

[JennyMorgan]

'Less was more', so very, very true! 

[johnb]

If anyone is going and wants to park free on street, close to DLR station, let me know, I will confirm nearer the time that the dreaded Council hasn't put in restrictions, but up to now it's OK.

[ChrisB]

Earls Court was a holiday every year after Christmas. I used to love looking down on the pool from the first floor but it was not only the boat show, you had:

Harrods sale plus all the other Department Stores doing the same. The West End shows. The choice of dozens of hotels to cater for all budgets and the same for restaurants.

It really was a short break for all the family and that is why Excel has struggled.

Also like it or not there is vast personal wealth to the West of London who have easy access to the West End and Southampton and are not going to fight their way to the East End.

[JennyMorgan]

My early memories of Earls Court started with the Lowestoft to London train journey. At every stop more and more boating types boarded and by the time we got to Woodbridge it could well be standing room only. With everyone having a common interest there were old friendship rekindled and new ones made. There would be a sense of awe as we approached Earls Court, it wasn't all about buying and selling, it was also a major social event. The East Coast moved to London for it's winter break, great days.

Always remember going to Scots restaurant along with other sailing types. Back then Scots steak and kidney pies were to die for and the anticipation ran high! A waiter placed a large plate in front of everyone of us, well, nearly all of us. The next waiter then served pie to each plate, failing to notice that yours truly hadn't got a plate! Baited breath all round as the veg waiter came round, would he also not notice the lack of a plate? It wasn't until the gravy waiter came round that the missing plate was noticed. Not sure that Scots was quite used to the humour in from the coast!! 

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said:

My early memories of Earls Court started with the Lowestoft to London train journey. At every stop more and more boating types boarded and by the time we got to Woodbridge it could well be standing room only. .......

My annual trips to Earls Court were just a short hop on the underground, from North London.

(I'd have gladly foregone that tiny advantage to have lived up in the Broads though.... )

I was surprised to see a remarkably familiar design pedal powered canoe in that clip, all those years ago........

[LondonRascal]

I remember going to Earls Court and then in more recent years to Excel.

I’ve never been to the Southampton show, but I have seen videos of it and it does have much more of a buzz but I think that is because of where it is and the types of ‘boaty people’ centred in this area

Fairline are not confirmed yet but that is less about the Excel show and the organisation of such, and more about Fairline’s current financial problems.  Of course it costs a great deal to exhibit in London and get everything there whoever you are leaving some to wonder if it is worth and the public to wonder the same about going.

I found last year rather interesting – discount all the silly large multi million pound stuff and look around at the things you know – such as those to be found at the Broom stand.

It allowed you to really see, and feel different designs and approaches and, I’ve got to be honest, looking on their Broom 30 HT Coupé there was areas where real cost cutting could be seen in materials and, after all this hull and layout is very similar to the boats in hire fleets such as Siesta at Richardson’s so it’s hardly innovative. Move over to Norfolk Boat Sales stand they have an Elan Moter Yachts ‘Elan 30’ – same length, twin 200hp engines, two double cabins and simplistic pricing – here is the boat, choose the engine here is the price.  Far less than the single engine Broom, who had a base price and then literally an A4 sheet of paper with extras where even the heating was not included. 

It just made me see (as I think Fairline are discovering) people’s wants and wishes are very unpredictable and what they seek - especially in boating terms means that you can’t rest on your laurels with manufactures able to produce models that have the ‘sexy look’ are powered with a known quantity (Volvo Penta) but thereon in are produced as cheaply as possible without the English labour costs and can come into the market and grab peoples attention.  

London is and will continue to be more like a car showroom rather than an enthusiasts meet.  But, without physically being able to be there, to have a look onboard, to feel how things are put together and so on, you’d never be able to see what was pushing boundaries and what was just the same old or slightly‘re-jigged’.  So, I will be going to the show and very much looking forward to it not to mention being able to look at certain things and ask certain questions that is much easier to do in person than through a website.

[JawsOrca]

I remember earls court and I remember it when even as a hirer there were things to see and buy.. Now there's nothing to see and do really unless you are a clueless city banker looking to impress ones buddies.  Most boats are either "visit by appointment" (i.e Go away) or you are escorted by a sales rep who you just want to knock out (and always seems like they are from upper management and very little idea about boating themselves  .. Ok I know talk to anyone and have a good chat with a few but most are annoying!). I therefore find it the most infuriating thing on earth and can't stand it!  It so needs to get back to it's roots. It lost it for me when the inland waterways section went.. and the shops kinda went. I guess though it shows how boating is changing and is sadly become something more for the wealthy and not for us.. Sad  

We went Southampton many years ago and it's certainly more of a coastal feel.. More yachty too.. had a good atmosphere but still the same "go away" signs and annoying "salesmen" not many shops and impulse items to buy. Some friends went last year though and they said it still have a good atmosphere and there was tons of boats to look around though so maybe next year we will venture down there and take a look.

Personally I think horning boat show offers more for me and a more a village fate feel is nicer..I wouldn't be surprised if this format is better the sellers to and more boats will sell. (We also somehow ended at a Inland waterway show one year.. can't quite work out how, I think we was just passing!?!  although it was very narrow boaty (strange things) I'm sure we had a full day there and spent a bit.. so that's worth a look). 

[Bound2Please]

The Brightlingsea boat show is also a real hands on affair, shops stalls boats etc. Its normally on one weekend in June each year. All the water side gets taken over

[JawsOrca]

That sounds good charlie.. we only found brighlingsea a few weeks back.. Loved the spot.. and the the adnams shop got me... grrr  

[Bound2Please]

That is Brightlingsea Essex Alan ? Adnams shop?

[JawsOrca]

Oh I've got confused with woodbridge haven't I.. Which is still north of that boarder...

 

 

[Bound2Please]

Well Brightlingsea is North Essex lol

But yes think you have Alan, hope to meet you both soon

Charlie

[Baitrunner]

Now we know the real reason you need that HIAB Alan to get the boat up North - you would never find it!!