Southampton Boat Show

[sprocker]

Would that have been the Monterey or Regal stand by any chance.

It was the Regal stand Ian, just by the bottom of the main steps up to Sunseeker.

I was renewing my love for Regal boats, I don't know what it is but I always get drawn back to them, and after a very long chat with Anthony Birchell at the show, are at the top of our new boat list.

[Ianfs]

Yes it was the Regal stand, thank you to both you and Martin for your tact.

Like you I found Birchalls knowledgeable about their products. The 28 EX was very impressive for a narrow beam boat with headroom to spare for most, but what was impressive was the size of the main cabin and the way the bed could be put together in minutes. A good sized second bedroom with a great shower and head.

For me it was similar to the Monterey but no diesel option according to Birchell, however I thought it was a better arrangement. Unfortunately Laura liked the lounger on the Monterey so it edged into the lead.

[sprocker]

The 28 EX was very impressive for a narrow beam boat with headroom to spare for most, but what was impressive was the size of the main cabin and the way the bed could be put together in minutes. A good sized second bedroom with a great shower and head.

Yes indeed, we think that the 28EX is a very well thought out boat, we tried to find fault but couldn't! Or maybe the petrol only option is a fault?

One thing that Anthony Birchell did was to get us think 'realistically' about our boating over the next 5-10 years, with us both being in full time employment how likely is it to change much? Putting 'likes' and 'would be nice' aside, it is probably not going to change much at all, so the perceived petrol/diesel gap has narrowed by quite an amount.

Quick fag packet maths shows that in reality the difference in total cost of ownership over that period would be minimal.

[BruceK]

One thing that Anthony Birchell did was to get us think 'realistically' about our boating over the next 5-10 years, with us both being in full time employment how likely is it to change much? Putting 'likes' and 'would be nice' aside, it is probably not going to change much at all, so the perceived petrol/diesel gap has narrowed by quite an amount.
Quick fag packet maths shows that in reality the difference in total cost of ownership over that period would be minimal.

How likey? 3 years ago I was day boating in a 20 foot cuddy speed boat. Now every weekend I am out with few exceptions going to destinations that would have been impossible in the cuddy. What changed personally? Nothing apart from the kids are getting older.

Fag packet maths looks at finance, very seldom at convenience and pragmatism / practicalities. Let me put it to you this way. If you knew a jaunt to the next bay for a quick lunch was going to cost you £150 in fuel you may reconsider doing it. If it cost you £50 you probably would go. Such is how we decide things, and not on final year end accounting when making day to day decisions. Trust me in this. I've seen a lot of heel kicking in this arena over petrol vs diesel. I am enormously grateful that with my limited finance I took a older diesel over a newer flasher petrol which wasn't an easy decision when I was looking at low cost petrol boats in what appeared to be much better condition and bang for buck than older scruffier diesels. Quite simply had I got petrols the pain on filling up the tanks each time would have meant I was not cruising but still day boating in just a bigger boat.

[BruceK]

I've seen the 28 express myself. Again as in the other thread. Size makes all the difference. A narrow beam boat goes faster for less power but the cons are it rocks like hell in the slightest swell at anchor, is painfully sensitive to trim and it just feels cramped when passenger pass or on dinner seating arrangements etc. I'd put the 28 firmly into the dayboat category with odd weekends out. It's 8.6' beam is the same as was in my 20 foot cuddy. Designed to make it trailerable compromising sea keeping more than anything else. Dont go there.

[mlines]

It seems to come around sooner every year, probably as it sort of signifies that the end of the season is approaching. This year I went twice, the first time for a walk around the boat that we can never afford and the second time to walk around the more affordable (but still out of reach!) boats.

Of the big boats, the Princess V37 was the boat that I really liked. The others were there, including Fairline, Sealine and Sunseeker. There was something missing about the Sunseeker boats, perhaps it was the furnishing and fabric choices, for me Princess seemed to have it this year.


















In the smaller boats we really liked the Regal 28 Express. It seemed to have the best interior fit out and looked great. The Bayliner rival was too "retro" in the cockpit with old fashioned switches and instrument styling which was not to my taste. The Four Winns rival was trailerable as they had targeted the weight criteria but the interior was spoiled by terrible panel fit and the cheapest laminate wood finish you can imagine, it really looked like B&Q shelving. Monterey looked over done, they are trying funky modern finishes but to my mind it was too "busy", for example the flooring in places could have been a single piece of laminate, instead they put in 3 or 4 pieces to create a funky design shape. However I really liked the black hull finish on the Monterey although cleaning salt off it would be a challenge.

Regal 28 Express







Cobalt, Monterey and Bayliner






James was in the Val Wyatt stand selling the Intender and Haines ranges. We have also noted that "floating swim pontoons" are in fashion in the med and at the really low end you can buy this small speedboat without any instruments..

[ian h]

It seems to come around sooner every year, probably as it sort of signifies that the end of the season is approaching. This year I went twice, the first time for a walk around the boat that we can never afford and the second time to walk around the more affordable (but still out of reach!) boats.

Of the big boats, the Princess V37 was the boat that I really liked. The others were there, including Fairline, Sealine and Sunseeker. There was something missing about the Sunseeker boats, perhaps it was the furnishing and fabric choices, for me Princess seemed to have it this ye

Would love to upgrade to the Princes V39 but they were originally around £259k a couple of years ago now its closer to £400K
Do not like the Fairline helm at all and think you pay an extra £50k for the word Sunseeker on the side of their boats, and they use too much filler the boat does not seem to fit together tightly

[mlines]

Of course I meant V39

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[ChrisH]

Did u have to make an appointment to get on the princesses. I always recall they were not as accessible as sunseeker?

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[mlines]

No, we just walked up to anything we wanted. If there was a real customer on board then you would have to wait or come back which was understandable

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