Southampton 08 - Review - Been there

one

   Well it's the first time I've been, lots to see imho, I didn't see half of it, ran 

into old colleagues hadn't seen for years, spent too much time ogling all 

the new mods to the Alto, checked out the V3000 the display version 

wasn't as nice as Dumb & Dumberers spec'd out boat, nor was the 

Phantom as Kewell as TT's, but they seem to be the only game in town 

right now, other than a funny little thing called a Rooster Streaker, is that 

a kids boat?

Lots of Big boats, stalls, pleasant lunch in the RYA lounge, wish I'd 

managed to get there earlier and stayed longer, but I didn't want another 

Friday afternoon on the M25 and in the tail end of Operation stack and 

had to pick p no 4 daughter from school so had to leave early.

Definitely worth the trip though interestingly fragmented with connecting 

bridges, parking not good I traded up in the end being on a time penalty, 

as a tip, book a visit to the Sunseeker stand, wear a shirt & tie, get them 

to ferry you about in one of their black Range Rovers, then bugger off to 

see the rest of the show.   

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G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Southampton 08 - Review - Been there Posted: 20 Sep 08 at 10:52am
	Well it's the first time I've been, lots to see imho, I didn't see half of it, ran into old colleagues hadn't seen for years, spent too much time ogling all the new mods to the Alto, checked out the V3000 the display version wasn't as nice as Dumb & Dumberers spec'd out boat, nor was the Phantom as Kewell as TT's, but they seem to be the only game in town right now, other than a funny little thing called a Rooster Streaker, is that a kids boat? Lots of Big boats, stalls, pleasant lunch in the RYA lounge, wish I'd managed to get there earlier and stayed longer, but I didn't want another Friday afternoon on the M25 and in the tail end of Operation stack and had to pick p no 4 daughter from school so had to leave early. Definitely worth the trip though interestingly fragmented with connecting bridges, parking not good I traded up in the end being on a time penalty, as a tip, book a visit to the Sunseeker stand, wear a shirt & tie, get them to ferry you about in one of their black Range Rovers, then bugger off to see the rest of the show.

Captain Morgan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Morgan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Sep 08 at 12:31pm
	I was there on Tuesday. In my view it was pretty much the same as when I went two years ago. The show itself is very good. From a dinghy point of view, you've got some of the main manufacturers there (Hartley, RS, Laser, Comet, etc. as well as "traditional" dinghy builders - some of which are really nice). But, there isn't much focus on dinghy clothing or hardware. As this show is at the end of the season, most of the stands are selling "this year's" yachty gear... Great if you want a few layers for offshore stuff, but a decent selection of dinghy boots??? As expected, lots of plastic "sunseeker-type" power boats and yachts that all look very similar, but there were some really cool novelties that are worth seeking out! Also, a handful of RIBs that really were stylish (let's sell all of our club safety RIBs and make do with one really snazzy one!?) Point to note about parking: The council aren't operating a Park & Ride system this year (the field was too wet), but ABP have set up a park & ride from Dock Gate 10, for £10 which is great.

bluegeorge Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 14 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote bluegeorge Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Sep 08 at 5:39pm
	As someone returning to the sport after 20 years and now with family in tow we thought it really good. It was really ineresting to see how much things have changed. However my husband there was gutted there were no windsurfers (is that a swear word on this forum!!! ) as we were sure there had been when we last went in the 80s. Didn't think price to bad as kids were free and you can save money booking on line.
	Bluegeorge

feva sailor Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 186	Post Options Post Reply Quote feva sailor Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 5:36pm
	its a very good show :) also expencive got a rooster shin tech long john and a trapese harnes

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 3:13pm
	No the economic downturn is not a great time to be launching an expensive "leisure" Product! Its bad enough at the moment working in the motor industry!!

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 2:29pm
	Well you couldn't have chosen a worse time to launch a new product. Credit crunch, recession looming, banks failing, I worry for them, at least it appears the guy behind it doesn't need to 'live' from the proceeds, but I worry that there is or at least there appears to be fewer and fewer folk that you could consider knowing enough still actively racing at club level, that would appreciate what it would do. Still, they are at the Southampton Boat show when lots of others aren't so that's something.

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 2:06pm
	THe Alto should be a succes Grumpf, the problem is people like me dont have the balls to get the cheque book out and buy an un-established class. So really they need to step up the marketing and get more of them at the big handicap opens such as the tiger trophey, Bloody mary etc etc. If they sold 30 of them and each and everyone turned up to each alto open event and they managed to get a well repected "dinghy" name sailing one, then people would buy them. The main reason the laser fleet is so popular is that people like simple big fleet racing.

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 1:51pm
	I noticed a two year old 505 for sale for £15k+. Now they do have a few more complications, but I would have thought with all the gizmos the Alto has, it's a way better deal. After all, other than the class association what can a 505 do that the Alto can't? But more important I would have thought, is the question what can the Alto do that the 505 can't? I think the RS400 is a great boat as well, but I think the Alto is better. What I can't quite understand is why it appears to only be me that thinks all this, very worrying. I note we've made the website.. Even more worrying.

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 1:05pm
	£9k seems about the price considering it is not produced on mass like topper boats!! I suppose an RS400 is only £8850 before you even ad a trolley!!!! And look at the price of a new 505 Jesus wept now that is LOADS A Money!

ASok Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 739	Post Options Post Reply Quote ASok Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 6:55am
	I went on Saturday and it was the usual stuff - lots of yachts that I can't afford, but nice to look at. The dinghy selection was rubbish - Laser didn't even have a Dart 18 on the stand RS didn't have the boats I wanted to look at. Missed the Alto. Shame I would have liked a look. The Tekcat looks like a monster. I'd love a go! Parking - at the weekend there was a docks area that was open for parking for £7 all day. I don't know Southampton that well, but it was a turn off between Ocean Village and the Red Funnel entrance. Through the security gates and then all cash goes to their charity. In conclusion, I'd normally give it a miss, but was offered free tickets and was meeting people there. Won't be rushing back next year.