London Boat show

[ian h]

Any one going ?
If so when ?

We going tomorrow (First Saturday )

[Xboatboyx]

This Sunday 8th for us

[MartynG]

Going on the final day of the show - Sunday next weekend - 15th.
Went last year same time and it was relatively quiet - which means hardly any queues for ''looking on boats that I might be able to afford when they are 10 to 15 years old''. Also light traffic on Sundays.

I obtained free tickets again, which makes up for the £15 parking charge. For us the alternative of travel by train is more expensive , less convenient ,and no great time saving.

[betty boop]

Going on the final day of the show - Sunday next weekend - 15th.
Went last year same time and it was relatively quiet - which means hardly any queues for ''looking on boats that I might be able to afford when they are 10 to 15 years old''. Also light traffic on Sundays.

I obtained free tickets again, which makes up for the £15 parking charge. For us the alternative of travel by train is more expensive , less convenient ,and no great time saving.

Theres free parking on the south side of the dock if u want to save a few £. Google the bridge, outside the show entrance, you'll see it ends nr the old warehouses and theres street parking either in the shops or just round the corner. The bridge has a great view esp if a plane is landing but a bit brisk in a chilly wind.

[mlines]

Very quiet yesterday in our opinion. Judged it by the amount of space in the car park and the lack of queues for the car park ticket machines which are difficult to operate so normal generate a line of people trying to work out how to use them. Lots of small boats to look (18 to 25 ft) at but very little in the 25ft+ with cabin space. Seems to be a strong trend in large bow rider styles.

Nothing much to look at if you want a large stick on top of your boat.

Nice for a January, boaty day out if you do not have to travel too far or nice if you have something specific to see. Understand from a couple of industry insiders that despite how quiet it is that a couple of the leading large ticket manufacturers have had a good show with 16 boats sold in the first two day. Two of those sales being "cold" sales (ie customer just walked up, no pre-contact). However on the smaller boat stand some reports of "nothing happening at all".

Nice for a meet up and chat with fellow forum members and friends

martin

[Stevie101]

We went last Sunday for the first time.
I've got to admit both myself and the missus were disappointed with what was there.
Nothing outside, lots of stuff not boat related, ( jacuzzi,log cabins, a robot?)
I understand boating is a "lifestyle" but for the main boat show of the country it needs to up its game a bit.

[Bigplumbs]

We went last Sunday for the first time.
I've got to admit both myself and the missus were disappointed with what was there.
Nothing outside, lots of stuff not boat related, ( jacuzzi,log cabins, a robot?)
I understand boating is a "lifestyle" but for the main boat show of the country it needs to up its game a bit.

We are going today so hope it is OK. I would not say that the London Show is the main show in the UK I would say that that is the Southampton Show in the Summer

Dennis

[betty boop]

We went last Sunday for the first time.
I've got to admit both myself and the missus were disappointed with what was there.
Nothing outside, lots of stuff not boat related, ( jacuzzi,log cabins, a robot?)
I understand boating is a "lifestyle" but for the main boat show of the country it needs to up its game a bit.

We are going today so hope it is OK. I would not say that the London Show is the main show in the UK I would say that that is the Southampton Show in the Summer

Dennis

I think it is on a limited time scale now before we see the end or major change to the show, I echo all of the above from quite to nothing outside to a lifestyle day out. I cant see how the operating costs vs ticket sales will see it continuing. From what I heard / spoke to people about it seems that 40% of the people now go because they like boats and would still go every year, me included, regardless of whats there. the remaining 60% is divided into new comers who wont go again next year, lots of young couples out for the day or very young families with kids looking at flash boats/playing with toys. the rest is divided into buyers/wanna be boaters. may be being pessimistic here but when you imagine the cost of putting on a show in London if you are only attracting wallets of 30% of the visitors then then surely most of the show will become 'big boys only' so may as well move to a smaller venue or end altogether. I hope it doesnt though .

[Bigplumbs]

Went to the Show yesterday (Sat) with her indoors and we had a lovely time. Yes smaller than the Southampton show but some nice boats there and in the end a nice day out in the horrible dull winter. We were lucky and saw the dancing show on the stage which was a nice extra.

Some things we noted:

1) Open speed boats are getting larger, more expensive to buy and with monster v6 and v8 petrol engines in them. Of course these are American boats so what do we expect. In my view they are not that suitable for the UK boating scheme

2) Sunseeker had an amazing stand which was open to all and very clouded. As my wife said any one of these people viewing could be a future lottery winner.

3) Fletcher needs to come back and challenge these American boats

4) Very few sports boats at the 17 foot size

5) Some lovely big ribs but again at silly prices

All in all we enjoyed the show even though we cued up for the wedding show on arrival (That's what happens when you follow the croud :0

Dennis