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LBS - Review

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Boat Shows
Forum Discription: Discuss the various boat shows we have in the sailing industry
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5058
Printed Date: 28 Mar 24 at 12:34pm
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Topic: LBS - Review
Posted By: radixon
Subject: LBS - Review
Date Posted: 10 Jan 09 at 6:50pm

What did I think?

Well, the boat show each year I have gone has lost its appeal to the Dinghy Sailor. First the Aquapool went (where they did the indoor windsurfing) next they chuck big boats into the chandlery and dinghy hall, and now they squash the dinghy stuff up and cram in other stuff to the same hall.

This show is now aimed at the Big Boat sailor, motorboater or cruiser. There is hardly any dinghy related stuff there. Ok Laser, RS and Topper have stands next to each other, Minorca, Sunsail and Neilson have stands close by too. Mailspeed have a large stand, Andark are there but try and find a wetsuit, or a trapeeze harness, No Chance!

Did I enjoy it, yes only because I found out information from other marine product stands, I would only of got by ringing around and met up with some other guys I know.

Will I go again, someone kick me when I mention it!




Replies:
Posted By: Jon711
Date Posted: 10 Jan 09 at 7:56pm

So what's different frrom previous years?? What you've just described could fit for the last 15+ (and that is a very arbitrary guess - and probably spelt wrong as well!!).  When are they going to create a boat show that Joe public can actually visualise being a part of.. rather than just big Sunseekers et al...

 

I Know Sailboat may be the answer -( Sorry the National dinghy show) but is it marketed outside the marine industry?



Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 10 Jan 09 at 8:16pm

It seemed even less of the dinghy/windsurfing/kayaking/wakeboarding things.

The kids should have a go at the Boardsurfing thingy in the Powerboat hall. Looked like good fun for the 11 year old boys in their combats and skateboarding stuff. Also got a kayak taster session (in a bathtub). Go outside onto HMS Westminster (I think) and the RNLI boat.

All good but nothing intising for the regular show boater.



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Posted By: Jon711
Date Posted: 10 Jan 09 at 8:56pm

I would be interested to see a comparison between the London Boat Show(s) and Sailboat.

 

Lets see figures on people at the door compared to business conducted, and lets not get confused by the big boatbuilders who take orders before the show but claqim them as show orders,,,, I know this happens (It happens in every trade!) I used to work in the Marine Trade....



Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 10 Jan 09 at 9:44pm
Well, littl'un and I enjoyed ourselves - some of the stands seemed a bit smaller than last year and there were a few familiar names missing (.....a symptom of the recession ?) but there was plenty for us to see, definitely a good day out,

Nigel


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I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg)

Graduate 2530 'Galaxy'


Posted By: s.a.l.t.y
Date Posted: 11 Jan 09 at 1:04pm
I did notice that there were quite a few bits filled in with seating areas in the
motorboat hall. And there weren't as many boats there as i would have
expected. Also there was NO FREE STUFF!!! All i got free was a yakult, a diary
thing and 1 buff sticker.

Other than that i thought it was a good show. Got to go in the Oyster
Owners Lounge and have a look around the Oyster 665 without queueing
thanks to a friends parents who work for them. It was good. We had free
champagne and everything

Rooster were selling rashys at £5 a pop aswell. Theres a bin of them at the
till on their stand. Bargain of the show.

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Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 11 Jan 09 at 5:00pm

Originally posted by s.a.l.t.y

I did notice that there were quite a few bits filled in with seating areas in the
motorboat hall. And there weren't as many boats there as i would have
expected. Also there was NO FREE STUFF!!! All i got free was a yakult, a diary
thing and 1 buff sticker. .

I got a free Pen and Mouse Mat from the Royal Navy, 3 free tickets (see other thread) and a few other bits and bobs.

They are there, you have to hunt them down!!



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Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 11 Jan 09 at 6:04pm
Originally posted by radixon

Originally posted by s.a.l.t.y

I did notice that there were quite a few bits filled in with seating areas in the
motorboat hall. And there weren't as many boats there as i would have
expected. Also there was NO FREE STUFF!!! All i got free was a yakult, a diary
thing and 1 buff sticker. .

I got a free Pen and Mouse Mat from the Royal Navy, 3 free tickets (see other thread) and a few other bits and bobs.

They are there, you have to hunt them down!!



You're all rank amateurs compared to my littl'un:
  • Pens
  • Pencils
  • Mousemat
  • Bookmark
  • DVD
  • Shopping bag
  • Laser Performance cap
  • Calender
  • Key Rings
  • AM/FM personal radio
  • Lip protector
  • Stickers
  • Sun block 
  • Yakult samples
  • Cook book
  • Beach ball
  • Lanyard
Nigel LOL

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I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg)

Graduate 2530 'Galaxy'


Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 11 Jan 09 at 9:45pm
What about the Fusion green inflatables?

She missed one then, the Bug stickers by the Laser till!!!!


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Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 11 Jan 09 at 10:06pm
Originally posted by radixon

What about the Fusion green inflatables?

She missed one then, the Bug stickers by the Laser till!!!!


We got the Laser Bug stickers, Laser Performance stickers and the Harken Stickers, however, we were in a queue to get one of Fusion's inflatable green aliens when she suddenly decided that it might be a bit awkward to carry on the train
(strangely sensible for her !) LOL

Nigel


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I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg)

Graduate 2530 'Galaxy'


Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 5:07pm
Well from a dinghy perspective, it was disappointing, I dont want to slam
it, I'm a veteran of having worked there and I know how hard it is and if
you look around a lot of effort has still gone into making it a good show
in what must be difficult circumstances with the high Euro and bad
economy.

Not as bad as the year we all got blown up by the IRA to keep things in
perspective, or the year there was a foot of snow outside and no-one
could make it there, but not quite as buzzing a year as when the indoor
windsurfing was going on.

If you go, the mailspeed marine stand is buzzing and has loads of
bimblepimpfest stuff, the suzuki harbour is quite a pleasant place to just
stand and collect your thoughts. Rooster have a presence which surprises
with the depth of their range, I hadn't realised quite how much they did. I
had a chat with one of theguys on there and thought it would be cool if
we could get him to come down to our club and give the improvers a bit
of a chat for an evening, maybe flog his DvD.

Laser/Topper and RS, sorry guys you need something new and something
other than washing up bowls to interest the likes of us lot (there ended up
being five of us from our club and all racers two looking for new boats,
they'll have to wait for the dinghy show).

We trawled the stink boats and ogled the cruising cats and lead mines
decided it's time to do day skipper and book a bare boat warm water
cruise had lunch in the RYA lounge then left as some woman was rolling
down a scarf attached to the ceiling in a mist of blue smoke accompanied
by Aliens in some sort of Fire prevention suits banging drums, bizarre..

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Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 6:26pm
Originally posted by G.R.F.

Rooster have a presence which surprises
with the depth of their range, I hadn't realised quite how much they did. I had a chat with one of theguys on there and thought it would be cool if we could get him to come down to our club and give the improvers a bit
of a chat for an evening, maybe flog his DvD.

I'd guess that would be Mr Cockerill, who's slightly more than just "one of the guys" when it comes to Rooster!


Laser/Topper and RS, sorry guys you need something new and something
other than washing up bowls to interest the likes of us lot (there ended up
being five of us from our club and all racers two looking for new boats,
they'll have to wait for the dinghy show).


The boats that Laser, Topper and RS, and also Hartley, put to the fore at the LBS are not really for the benifit of the public- they're after the business of sailing schools more.

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-_
Al


Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 6:38pm
Originally posted by alstorer


I'd guess that would be Mr Cockerill, who's slightly more than just "one of
the guys" when it comes to Rooster!


No, although he did look a bit like the guy on the video who I guess must
be said Mr Cockerill, and I joked about them obviously having to grow the
statutory beard to work there, then my phone rang and my chum took
over so I kind of lost the thread. However it looks like I might have drawn
the short straw on training this year at our club and I thought it would be
an idea to get someone down, guru type like we do windsurfing, to give a
bit of a talk to the laser troops amongst others and in the video he was
showing something to do with waggling the rudder bit in a strange
fashion, we couldn't hear what was being said cos the sound was turned
down. (Obviously want us to buy the DVD)

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Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 7:08pm
Forgot to add into the "freebies" the current issue of Y+Y!!

Oh and the statory All at Sea newspaper.


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Posted By: DaveL
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 8:28pm
I thought it wasn't too bad a show, i thought ovi might be there though. Seemed a lot of bargains on the first weekend this time. Got some nice new "hot socks" from rooster to keep my feet nice and toasty at tiger.

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Contender GBR443
National 12 - 2859 "Dogmatic"


Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 8:39pm
Sorry to jump threads, but Dave, are you taking your contender to the Tiger?

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the same, but different...



Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 9:01pm
Originally posted by G.R.F.

Originally posted by alstorer


I'd guess that would be Mr Cockerill, who's slightly more than just "one of
the guys" when it comes to Rooster!


No, although he did look a bit like the guy on the video who I guess must
be said Mr Cockerill


Are you sure that it wasn't a penguin in disguise ? LOLLOLLOL



Nigel


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I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg)

Graduate 2530 'Galaxy'


Posted By: Smight at BBSC
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 9:11pm
Is there going to be any dinghy clothing and chandlery left by saturday? 

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RS600 988


Posted By: dave.blakesley
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 9:23pm
i thought ovi might be there though


Ovi have their exhibition races on the saturday with the musto, B14 and 9er,
so im betting they will have a stand up outside on the last weekend of the
show, i know the B14 class has their newest boat (778 <-- very sexy beast,
saw it while picking up 749!!) on display...

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Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 9:28pm
Originally posted by Smight at BBSC

Is there going to be any dinghy clothing and
chandlery left by saturday? 


Er I'd say unequivocally yes and cheap it will be, even the Wiered
Fish stand was empty and there were clothing stands everywhere with
tumbleweed rolling around, the clothing market everywhere is flat as a
pancake, only the chandlery/widget stands appeared to be lively..

Nothing tempting though, must be the first time I've ever bought nothing
from one of the novelty type stands like the ones where they stab tin cans
with fountain pens, I can't tell you how many useless fountain pens I own.
If ever a load of cans need stabbing I'm your man..

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Posted By: FireballNeil
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 9:54pm
The Rooster Boat Whisperer talk is very worthwhile for laser and singlehanded sailors, a lot can be applied to double handed boats too. It was a very good evening at Draycote

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Neil



Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 10:10pm
Originally posted by FireballNeil

The Rooster Boat Whisperer talk is very worthwhile for
laser and singlehanded sailors, a lot can be applied to double handed boats
too. It was a very good evening at Draycote


So how did you go about organising it from a financial standpoint neil, I was
given to believe they charge, which is unheard of in windsurfing circles given
the commercial potential of such an event in terms of sales, it would be like
me charging to go and demo our Boards, funny old world the dinghy market,
takes some getting used to.

Anyway did you charge the members, or did the club stand the bill?

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Posted By: FireballNeil
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 10:17pm
It was charged at £6 a head i believe (memory there!) to the club members, although there is some product pushing, most of it is an educational talk which uses footage off the dvd to prove the points that are being made. I would say the talk is worth the £6 IMO

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Neil



Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 14 Jan 09 at 11:13pm
Thanks Neil, agreed, £6 would be excellent value, unfortunately there aint
that many of us and we worked out we probably have to pay two or three
times that, anyway, I shall try and set it up for them and see how we go, I
don't think they've ever done anything like that for the sailors at Hythe
before.

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Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 15 Jan 09 at 9:45am
I know there is relatively little for dinghy sailors at the show, but the final weekend (17th and 18th) is earmarked as having a 'dinghy focus', like last year.

This entails the 9er racing on Saturday, and the pursuit racing on Sunday, plus the appearance of a range of racing dinghy classes along the dockside.

Were there no talks from experts that were appropriate to dinghy sailors? There usually are.


Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 15 Jan 09 at 12:52pm
[QUOTE=MerlinMags]

This entails the 9er racing on Saturday,/QUOTE]

..where "9ers" means Musto Skiffs (at 12pm), 29ers (at 1pm) and top of the bill B14s at 2pm.


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-_
Al


Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 15 Jan 09 at 1:38pm
Originally posted by turnturtle

maybe even
those Whitstable boys could come over for a shandy?


It's still dark in the evenings, they'd never find their way and their sisters
probably wouldn't let them out..

Good Idea though, can you imagine? The Musto Ladies heading over our
way, very unlikely

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