Dinghy Show

Graeme, can I hire you next year?

I was on the Graduate stand on the Sunday of the show and was part of a group within the Grad fleet who pushed the association to make sure they were at the show. As Rupert says there is a real feeling that if your class isnt at the show then it has probably died out. In my view while the show may have lost its original intent a little, what it does enable is an opportunity for those looking to try new things or move classes due to relocation or changes in circumstance, to have a good look and a chat. That these people are probably already sailing in other fleets and therefore attending to also chat to their current fleet mates doesn't really matter, its the opportunity to determine the next move thats important and if your class is attending then its on the radar as an active class.

The Grad fleet in recent years first had the introduction of the new sails rules which attracted a bit of attention and brought some back into the class, then Rooster gave it a real boost with the new FRP boats built by the Boatyard @ Beer (which made 5 last year I believe) and for a few years we were lucky to be exhibiting on the Rooster stand and the class suddenly felt invigorated but rather than continue the promotion it was allowed to plateau which is understandable, after all the bulk of the then committee had overseen all the improvements and development and were burning themselves out, including Steve Cockerill.
Anyway our feeling at the show, was that it was really successful. The new wooden Alpha Grad built by Tim Harper was stunning and for those who didn't see the paintjob with a light shining on it, you missed out on the twinkling stars from the flecked lacquer! We had plenty of people coming to the stand and stating that they used to sail Grads and that they were superb boats. We signed up a fair few members to the association and a fair few existing owners were encouraged to come along to this years Nationals at Chipstead SC on the Whitsun bank holiday weeekend. Yes the Sunday was quiet but we nearly always had a visitor on the stand and hopefully we came across as a friendly bunch.
One of the things we hopefully demonstrated was the great age demographic, and the fact that there are some really keen teenage teams sailing the boats including Gabe & Ben Hill from Southport who will be sailing the boat that was on show.

As for other boats at the show, I was a little underwhelmed but then I only had time to whizz around quickly after lunch. For me the only other boat worthy of note was the Idol Composites (Alex Scoles) OK on the Harken stand. Its drawing me away from my beloved RS700 every time I see it!!!!!!

The class stands aren't alowed to sell boats at the show, as far as I'm aware. Awareness can be raised, prices chatted about, but actual deals have to be made after. The company stands pay a lot more to be there.

Funny thing about the RS stand - I had a lovely chat with someone who knew I wasn't going to be buying, discussing boats, the universe and everything. They are enthusiasts too, even if they are being paid to be there. I gather they had an excellent show, so they must have done plenty of sales talk too. Good.

And iiiiiiitick, I can guess who you bumped into!

13 new Ospreys! That is truly impreesive.

Originally posted by Daniel Holman Graeme, can I hire you next year?