London Boat Show

Hugh Jardon · 31 October 2005, 09:29

I need to buy a lot of bits for the new rib as i will fit it all out myself. I am wondering if typically the london boat show is a good place to get good deals or whether i am just better off searching for the best price via the web. I need everything from an engine to general fixtures and fittings to nav gear and steering.

has anyone in my position done this and gone to the boat show to get the majority of their kit and saved a good tidy sum?

any views would be helpful

Jon Brooks · 31 October 2005, 11:45

From my view point..

Dealers always offers "show specials" I know we do.
This is normally above anything that you can get at any other time of the year.

This might be special pricing, it might be free add on's.

So boat shows are always a good place for a deal.

Just my thoughts

Regards

roycruse · 31 October 2005, 12:37

just research everything first and go armed with best price list.

then go round and play all the traders off each other and your best internet prices.

only problem with this is you end up using up the whole day running round and dont have much chance to enjoy yourself

i managed to get a few good deals at southamton like this. but you must go amed with best prices as a lot of show prices are higher than on line.

also - lookout for manufacturers or distributers who are exhibiting with a dealer as an extra discount is often available there.

The Jackeens · 31 October 2005, 19:21

It certainly helped us Chris.

pm returned

Us

Jizm · 31 October 2005, 19:42

I have had quite a few bargains at both LBS and SBS, wetsuits, fish finders etc. However I am a little devious in the fact that I try to go on on near the last day!

bogib · 31 October 2005, 22:44

Nicest probably working at wholesale and getting at staff prices like I am doing now for my coming baby Arctic Challenger which should be ready in the spring.
Will have a look at London boat show for fun.

Bogi

Roy Smith · 31 October 2005, 23:22

I agree with Jizm
Go on the last day and dont exspect to look round the boats, get you prices off the net, If this years Southampton Boat Show is any thing to go by, the trade was so far down that that they where just happy to turn there money over. belive me i saved £700 by going back on the last day.

Hugh Jardon · 01 November 2005, 09:05

all good advice guys and thanks so much, depending on when the boat is completed i have been advised it is much better to do much of the fit out before the tubes go on, is there a view on this? Also depending on when it is completed i will then work out what bits i need and when, some will be needed sooner so i can get some of the work out of the way.

I think a visit to the london boat show near the end looks like a sound plan and i will do that and will be fully armed with pricing from other sources so i can do some negotiations.......should be fun.

Mark Halliday · 01 November 2005, 09:57

The other advantage is you can go and poke and prod the kit under one roof.

The look and feel can sometimes be more persuasive than the price and spec.

Hugh Jardon · 01 November 2005, 23:22

i had a bit of a poke and a prod and a feel at the southampton boat show which was very enjoyable. Helped me work out what i want next which was good

pressman · 01 November 2005, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

i had a bit of a poke and a prod and a feel at the southampton boat show which was very enjoyable. Helped me work out what i want next which was good

Chris,

Have you looked at the Furuno nav net system??

We have that.

Excellent!!

Hugh Jardon · 02 November 2005, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by pressman

Chris,

Have you looked at the Furuno nav net system??

We have that.

Excellent!!

not looked at the furuno system yet but i suspect they will be pretty pricey, i am trying to build and fit the boat out on a budget so to speak so looking at probably lower end nav hear like the garmin 178c etc. But will take a look at them and see if they do my price range

cheers

roycruse · 02 November 2005, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

not looked at the furuno system yet but i suspect they will be pretty pricey, i am trying to build and fit the boat out on a budget so to speak so looking at probably lower end nav hear like the garmin 178c etc. But will take a look at them and see if they do my price range

cheers

Ive got the 178C Flush mounted to my console

I think its a great unit - does everything you could ever want - and doesnt take up to much real estate.

Rodan · 02 November 2005, 16:01

How much can you get them at here? How about the charts?

roycruse · 02 November 2005, 16:26

If you were refering to the 178c and garmin blue charts then I found here and here to be the cheapest.

If you ment the Furuno stuff then no idea...

Hugh Jardon · 02 November 2005, 16:35

Hey Roy

thanks for the links, we may have found a place slightly cheaper but will need to double check and make sure is apples for apples comparison but pricing looks very very similar. I had a good look at the garmins at the boat show and they are very very nice, also looked at standard horizon and the 3500c damn cant think of the name

which model did you go for, single trans, double, etc

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

If you were refering to the 178c and garmin blue charts then I found here and here to be the cheapest.

If you ment the Furuno stuff then no idea...

roycruse · 02 November 2005, 16:42

I went for external antena (needed becuase its flush mounted) and dual frequency transom mounting transducer (although i have it bonded to the hull in the bilge)

remember to take into account that jgtech prices are inclusive of VAT and next day delivery.

Rodan · 02 November 2005, 16:43

Thanks - Garmin it was

ashbypower · 02 November 2005, 16:46

Lowrance 3500C is the one your thinking of. Damn good piece of Kit. Our previos Boat was Lowrance equipped and proved V reliable , specced Blue "C" with lowrance 3500c and 52i sonar/GPS. been used wll over 150 hrs this year in all weathers and still going. Visit Lowrance.com and download emulators for the gear your intrested in. You can then sit and play with the thing on your PC

knew our well before it was fitted. Also Lowrance provide operating software update downloads,which are simplicity itself to upload to the unit.

Regards and happy hunting

Brian

Hugh Jardon · 02 November 2005, 18:10

thanks for the info Brian, will go and play

for the garmin 178c with dual transp and ext ariel we have found a place slight cheaper and the cheapest so far

is around 542 plus 7 quid postage

here
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/