Anyone going to the boatshow at Earls Crt
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=4865
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 4:35am
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Topic: Anyone going to the boatshow at Earls Crt
Posted By: ptcruiser
Subject: Anyone going to the boatshow at Earls Crt
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 5:48pm
| Do you reckon its worth going? |
Replies:
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 7:34pm
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Last year been the first year I went (only cos i had free tickets) but didn't find a lot to look at. The big players aren't there so it all depends what you are going for. I am going to try and not go, only cos I can then save up for Excel/Ally Pally to buy stuff. ------------- |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 8:05pm
| Went one day last year- as said, it seemed a bit content (and people)-light. Not going again. Even the shopping was rubbish. |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 17 Nov 08 at 9:46pm
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Not been to this or the Dinghy Show at Ally Pally. Which is the better show and why? I'm interested in picking up some clothing and possibly a few fittings. Which is likely to be the best bet? |
Posted By: timnoyce
Date Posted: 17 Nov 08 at 9:48pm
The dinghy show is the best for dinghy sailing, without a shadow of a doubt. It's a much more friendly show and there will be more forumites about to say hello to! 
------------- http://www.facebook.com/bearfootdesign - BEARFOOT DESIGN Cherub 2648 - Comfortably Numb |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 17 Nov 08 at 11:08pm
| The Dinghy Show easily, especially dinghy stuff. More stands, more deals, more friendly! |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 18 Nov 08 at 11:01am
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So it is to hand for everyone what are the dates for The Dinghy Show? Sounds like it will be worth a visit. |
Posted By: dave.blakesley
Date Posted: 18 Nov 08 at 1:11pm
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7-8th march iirc? maybe earlier... ill defo be there... forum meetup? lol ------------- |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 18 Nov 08 at 1:19pm
Excellent, just after my birthday. maybe I'll have some cash to spend. 
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Posted By: FORRADER
Date Posted: 24 Nov 08 at 6:52pm
| A show including the likes of World Championship winning 505, P&B, Ovington Boats, Bethwaite Simulator, together with Flying 15, Classic and Vintage Dinghy racing Association, Mirror (dont forget to buy a raffle ticket) Blade Rider, Tasar, Optimist, Wayfarer, Wanderer,Cadet, Musto Skiff, Solution,Byte C2,Osprey, Gull,Albacore,Phantom, and others must be worth a look. Time for dinghy sailors to come out from the cold and bring new blood to the sport!!!!?????? |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 25 Nov 08 at 1:50pm
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I'll be there tomorrow evening after work, may try to get off a bit earlier if I can so as to allow time to get around everything. Earl's Court is a big place. Must make sure I get to see the Phantom on the Vandercraft stand. Also want to have a look at a new RIB. |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 27 Nov 08 at 9:02am
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Well I went along yesterday after work and found that the show has actually contracted and is now all on one floor rather than the 2 shown on the show website. Obviously a number of exhibitors have pulled out which is perhaps not surprising given the current financial situation. There were a few dinghy exhibitors including Hartley Laminates, Vandercraft and Ovington Boats. Also Hobie had a cat there and the chap on the stand was very helpful and friendly. Hartley had a nice selection of boats including Wayfarers, a Wanderer and a very tasty Supernova that took my eye before my wallet had a siezure. The Phantom on the Vandercraft/Ovington stand was very impressive looking but the number of control lines (7 or 8 per side) would have had me wanting a crew to look after them for me! There was a slightly insane looking Bladerunner foiling skiff. Not sure how they stay up on those tiny blades but they convinced me once and for all that they are way beyond my taste and abilities. There was a decent selection of small yachts, a good selection of ribs and a few clothing and equipment suppliers. Some decent show offers depending on what you are after. I got there at about 6pm and having looked round the whole show and chatted to a few people left about 7.15pm. I felt like I had seen all I was interested in and left slightly underwhelmed by the show and looking forward to a much more interesting Dinghy Show in March where hopefully there will be a lot more to see and hopefully some good deals on kit to be had. Hope this is of help to those who are undecided about going or not..
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Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 28 Nov 08 at 9:13am
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Thanks Status - I was undecided, but now I'm sure - I won't be going!
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: Chris Turner
Date Posted: 28 Nov 08 at 9:27am
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Thanks, that is my Phantom! As for the controls, it is five! had you already been to the Guiness stand? Forestay, lowers, outhaul, cunno, kicker. |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 28 Nov 08 at 1:58pm
I didn't actually count that far once I had mentally decided it was too many for me. Looked like a stunning boat though and a lot of sail! You are going to have loads of fun in that. |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 28 Nov 08 at 6:21pm
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There are things to do, one of them has to be a visit to the Stormforce Stand where they are doing a rigging challenge. You aim is to beat Dan Jaspers of RS 24sec rigging the Vision. Unfortunately I can't make it as I am sailing (oh what a shame) but wold be interested to see pictures. ------------- |
Posted By: Riki @ RS
Date Posted: 29 Nov 08 at 9:36am
The challenge has already been met.. I gather Super Coach Dan Jaspers had his time smashed by 2 seconds courtesy of a little girl.. It was 22 seconds to beat as of yesterday evening.  ------------- Riki Hooker Sales Director, RS Sailing www.rssailing.com |
Posted By: Lionheart
Date Posted: 29 Nov 08 at 1:36pm
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I agree - it's great there and there's LOADS going on so don't understand
why so many people have been rubbishing it here - I went yesterday and there were hundreds of people and they're buying stuff too! Get off your soapboxes and go and see what all the fuss is about. ------------- Always in the interests of others... |
Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 29 Nov 08 at 2:19pm
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I gather from Vandercraft that while it's been relatively quiet, it's by no means been a flop in the Vandercraft/Ovington area. The big powerboat area was a bit sad apparently, however (so there's some justice). ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 29 Nov 08 at 4:49pm
Who do you work for, if you don't mind me asking? EC&O Venues? The organisers? An exhibitor? Apologies if I'm just being too cynical here... |
Posted By: Status
Date Posted: 29 Nov 08 at 5:40pm
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I'm not on my soapbox as I have been there. If you read my review you will see that I said there is stuff to see and buy. I just wanted people to be clear that is much smaller than the website suggested and that the "Dinghy Area" that was supposed to occupy a chunk of the second floor couldn't as there was now only one floor despite the website suggesting otherwise. I would also hope that it would be busier on the weekends. The exhibitors I spoke to all said it had been much quieter than they had hoped.
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