Southampton Boat Show

[ian h]

We are going on last saturday and yes making use of the MDL Lounge

[Ianfs]

I don't really know how to describe the show. I was expecting the first day to be full of enthusiastic promoters with stands in different positions and maybe a different set up. But actually it was business as usual and all the same stands in the same places. In some ways its a bit like going to a Prezzo, you get the same meal.

Here are some shots though, hope you like them....

I really liked this.......

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I was trying to overhear the brief from the Barrus manager as to why Mercruiser had used a different block to build the 4.5, but couldn't all the info, something to do with GMC not wanting to play ball. There was a 350 Mag V8 which went to 325hp though. All to do with air intakes.

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Sunseeker still in the same place...

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Spot the boat..

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Some great views from up here....

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We had previously been invited onto one of the stands, I'll let you all have a guess which one, so took advantage. The hospitality was excellent then got shown around some beautiful interiors....

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Some helm porn!

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This is a truly classic boat, it was immaculate...

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Then I spotted this, beautifully varnished and finished to perfection.

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But that was it, not much more than that.

[ColinR]

I've been quite disappointed over the last few years. Very much same old, same old.

Unless I am looking for something specific I find it hard to get excited about the boat show nowadays.

[annageek]

I've been quite disappointed over the last few years. Very much same old, same old.

I very much agree!

its a bit like going to a Prezzo, you get the same meal.

Good analogy!

I would have quite liked to have seen in the Parker 750 cabin cruiser as I missed it last year... but it wasn't there this year! We wanted to compare it with the equivalent Merry Fisher/Antares type things, as we have this idea that we'd quite like something like that in the future. They did have the open version though which is actually really nicely put together from what I could tell.

To be honest, we sailed past all the big Fairline/Princess/Sunseekers. Once you've seen one you've seen them all in my opinion. Polished wood here, soft sand leather there, fluffy carpet underfoot. All very nice, but it's just a bit like walking around a load of show apartments in a swanky new development... I certainly wouldn't pay money to spend an afternoon doing that, and the fact that these apartments are afloat doesn't change that. Also, they all seem to use the same gooseneck reading lights in the cabins that feel like they cost about £3.99 from Ikea, which I find baffling!

The Nordhavn thing was interesting to look at though. Never been on anything like that before, and the people aboard were chatty, happy and informed, which was nice.

We did spend a worryingly long amount of time looking at 30' ish sailing yachts though... and even more worringly... quite liking the idea of one!!! I'm not sure if I can cope with the idea of a a 7 -8kt top speed (if you're lucky and the wind is just right) though! It's bad enough in our Fletcher only being able to get a paltry 33-34kts!

[_Ed_]

33-34 knots isn't bad!! You have cheap fuel bills too!! Its only strange people like me who just seem to want to go everywhere at 100mph...

Boat show for me is Friday... but everyone is really not making it sound that great... And there isn't really anything I need. New flares perhaps? Hmm donno. My birthday Friday as well, so I have to get something!!

[NickT]

33 or 34 kts is vvvv fast to me Anna! Went out last week for a tootle down the Hamble and out onto soton water,only managed 23 kts as bottom is fouled after weeks of inactivity.

I echo the views of others regarding the SBS, I went in 2013 and it was pretty average, no show offers of any value (I was looking for a new vhf).

Maybe the Beaulie boat jumble would be more to my liking and wallet.,...

[annageek]

33-34 knots isn't bad!! You have cheap fuel bills too!!

That is with a fair wind and a bit of help from a strong current, but we do have 34kts as the max speed on the plotter!

We also average out our annual fuel burn this year and we are getting 0 .92 litres per mile. Thats 5mpg... can't argue with that! Those 100's hours removing the antifoul last winter is paying dividens! And thats an average over nearly 1000 miles this summer!!

[Centaur]

Subject: Southampton Boat Show

Come and pick me up Centaur I'll have a ride down with you

I'm waiting for some parts to arrive that have been delayed - when they eventually turn up ('should be here by the end of the week.....') I was planning to spend a few days down in Poole to fit the parts and visit the Show. Exact timings, therefore, still to be established!

[Ianfs]

Just routine maintenance or breakages?

[Ianfs]

but we do have 34kts as the max speed on the plotter!

That's an excellent flat out speed, 40mph is not sluggish and of course reasonably exciting!