Xcel boat show

[Orwell boy]

Hi all ,happy new year , just a quick post to get thoughts on the upcoming boat show at excel next week , My question is can anybody tell me if this is worth a visit to see a number of rib manufacturers ,bits and pieces or has it just gone to the massive manufacturers selling super yahcts etc , i am far more interested in maybe buying a new pair of gloves and boots than i am a sunseeker if you know what i mean ,i would like to look at a few british built ribs to see what i need to aim for in the future , is this a possibility or am i wasting a day , any help appreciated ,thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Don't waste your time or money. It's basically a Princess/ sun seeker trade show with the usual tat thrown in to pad it out. Unless you want a drill bit that never needs sharpening, miracle non-stick cookware, overpriced patio furniture to go with your naff hot tub, stay away.

[crui05]

i agree with the rest.
there used to be smaller traders with resonable gadgets and toys to play with and a decent price but i havent been recently cos of the usual princess/ fairline big boys etc and useless gizmos trying to convince you that your life cant work without all that crap.
save your dosh give it a miss.
opening for some of the smaller retailers me thinks on a much smaller scale.
down the years i have noticed how sailing/boating has become a much more popular interest but the "anything marine means big bucks" attiude still sticks.
so thats my moan for the new year over with..
good sailing guys !

[Sutty]

I must go to a different Excel Boat Show, the one that I normally go in January has usually 4-5 different RIB manufacturers, all the main outboard engine manufacturers, the main electronic/ navigation providers, several chandlers and lots of other useful stuff. I suppose that if you have got everything then perhaps it is a little boring

[uncle al]

The best stand I found at the show was the one that sold the waterproofing cream ,for shoes and leather wear.I still use the cream on my old army boots ,and all the family's shoes.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by uncle al

The best stand I found at the show was the one that sold the waterproofing cream ,for shoes and leather wear.I still use the cream on my old army boots ,and all the family's shoes.

Renapur [emoji106] good stuff

[Bigplumbs]

I went last year and had a lovely time. Lots to see and well worth a visit at this miserable time of year. I would go if I were you don't take any notice of the moaners so far.


You can get tickets here for £7.50.


A nice day to cheer you up and kick start your boating thoughts


https://nbs-london.yourticketbooking...ts%20from%2015

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

I went last year and had a lovely time. Lots to see and well worth a visit

If you have 6 figures plus to spend on a new boat then it probably is

If however you look on fleabay and scumtree for boats I reckon it’s a wasted day [emoji848][emoji848]

[Searider]

This is who is there:

https://www.londonboatshow.com/exhib...hibitor-Search

[Max...]

The days when the London boat show catered for the common man ended about thirty years ago at Earls Court.

Used to go every year with the old man from the late 70s' onwards and used to be superb especially in the 80's with all the windsurfing/skiing areas.

Last time I went to Excel it was (as noted) seemingly a show for the Sunseeker and above crowd - that was probably ten years ago and the way (foreign) wealth has exploded in London in the last five years I can only imagine the most basic boat on offer would be a Williams jet tender to a 20ft tender to a Superyacht...

[Bigplumbs]

Originally Posted by Max...

The days when the London boat show catered for the common man ended about thirty years ago at Earls Court.

Used to go every year with the old man from the late 70s' onwards and used to be superb especially in the 80's with all the windsurfing/skiing areas.

Last time I went to Excel it was (as noted) seemingly a show for the Sunseeker and above crowd - that was probably ten years ago and the way (foreign) wealth has exploded in London in the last five years I can only imagine the most basic boat on offer would be a Williams jet tender to a 20ft tender to a Superyacht...

Went last year and the most basic complete boat was a Rib for about £5K so you are quite incorrect.

[Pikey Dave]

The LBS used to take up 2 halls with boats on one side & chandlery & toys in the other. On top of that, there were boats on the water on the quayside outside. Now it's all in one hall, half of which is taken up with the aforementioned non-boat related "tat" & there are no boats outside. You can get free tickets if you are RYA members. We called in last year simply because we were in the area & had free tickets. After a couple of hours we had seen what there was to see. I would do the same again if I had the free tickets, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
You pays your money & takes your choice.

[Max...]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

Went last year and the most basic complete boat was a Rib for about £5K so you are quite incorrect.

Thank you.

I am so sorry that my post was 'quite incorrect' - but in its entirety??

It was of course a 'little' tongue in cheek which you seem to have missed.

Point being that in the 'old' days the 'most basic complete boat' was rather less than the equivalent of £5k without even mentioning the old timer on a tiny one man stand with his build your own rowing boat kit or whatever!

[paulbrown22]

I'd agree with Pikey Dave. I live in London during the week, and only bother to go to LBS for the late night opening because I have a free ticket, and to meet friends there.

As both a yacht sailor and RIB person, I think there's very little for either now, given how much the show has shrunk.

If you haven't been to many boat shows, I guess it can still be a bit of fun, but I wouldn't consider it a serious sailing yacht or RIB shopping venue, Southampton is much better for both.

[Bigplumbs]

I would agree that Southampton is the best but SBS and LBS are at opposite ends of the year so I like to go to both. If you were thinking of going don't be put of I say go and make up your own mind

[Bigplumbs]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The LBS used to take up 2 halls with boats on one side & chandlery & toys in the other. On top of that, there were boats on the water on the quayside outside. Now it's all in one hall, half of which is taken up with the aforementioned non-boat related "tat" & there are no boats outside. You can get free tickets if you are RYA members. We called in last year simply because we were in the area & had free tickets. After a couple of hours we had seen what there was to see. I would do the same again if I had the free tickets, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
You pays your money & takes your choice.

Don't you just love it when people use the word 'tat' one mans tat is another mans gold

[ashtonmarine]

Hi

every year less and less people go so less and less companies have stands. The age of the internet is here. If you want to see lots of RIB's go to dusseldorf in a few days time. miles bigger than SBS and london would be less than 5 % in size. if that does not work for you go to SBS and there are boats onthe water, and on land to see.

For most people its hard to get to and will only take a couple of hours to sea everything and if its just RIBs about 30 min.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ashtonmarine

...... and will only take a couple of hours to sea everything and if its just RIBs about 30 min.

Agreed, but you could waste spend the rest of the day looking at tat[emoji6]

[ashtonmarine]

lol there is not even ebough tat to look at for a whole day!!

[Max...]

You'll find a much, much bigger supply of interesting 'tat' at any decent boat jumble :

Boat Jumble Association