london boat show - Page 2

GuyP · 11 January 2007, 20:48

You can normally park on the side of the road 5 minutes from Excel and walk in.

I'm going on Saturday and will take my camera for a few piccys

Endeavour · 11 January 2007, 20:52

i parked next to a big american kenworth truck from spain, for free..... and walked about 150mtrs....

Millermob · 11 January 2007, 20:54

If your taking pictures will you be able to get some of the new avon and the ribcraft stand, we can't make it down this year and these to stands are of greatest interest.

Thanks Freddie

GuyP · 11 January 2007, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millermob

If your taking pictures will you be able to get some of the new avon and the ribcraft stand, we can't make it down this year and these to stands are of greatest interest.

Thanks Freddie

Will do. I was actually at Ribcraft between Christmas and New Year and saw the show boats all wrapped up and ready to go.

Roy Smith · 11 January 2007, 22:50

Went to day
Waste of time , if its ribs you want then go to Ribex
as for the chandelry i Found Marine Super Store cheeper,
long journey with people wandering aimlesly.
To me there is no theme to the show, Southampton is on the water.
Ribex is on water, i also agree with the other thread that said the staff on most of the stands did not have any instrest in what they where doing.
Its not cheep £14 x 2 = £28 plus car park £9 food two sandwich 2 coffee = £15 plus petrol etc. min cost £70

Tim M · 12 January 2007, 09:44

Ribcraft stand wasn't very exiting - only two ribs (4.8 and a 585)

NautiAndNice · 12 January 2007, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Ribcraft stand wasn't very exiting - only two ribs (4.8 and a 585)

When I was there last night they also had a 7.5m with a Suzuki 300hp on the back...nice boat.

Tim M · 12 January 2007, 11:00

Must have missed that one.

Mouldy · 12 January 2007, 11:27

I had a great time.
- browsing the chandlers & handling items helps the decision buying process even if you then go and get it off the web - especially the difference betweeen a £175 drysuit and a £269 one.
- Garmin stand had new kit and helpfull staff
- Sealegs RIB was great, but in the wrong place with the inland waterways stuff. What a fun toy that'd be.
- Guinness stand - no explanation needed
- loads of affordable dinghies, dayboats, hardboats (awesome V8 wakeboarding boats), jetbikes - i want one of everything!
Bit disappointed that there wasn't a dedicated watersports area (unless I missed it), but the sail/wakeboard/diving stands were there if you hunted a bit.
Enjoy the atmosphere with a load of like minded people.

stroker1 · 12 January 2007, 15:13

Hi all -

I know it's friday afternoon and maybe a little late in the day, but i have 2x show tickets for the first available person who would like to pick them up!

I am in Gosport, so it will need to be someone who is local or passing on their way there.

Please reply to this message and leave your mobile no. That way should be the fairest and no need for lots of others to be disappointed if you called me - ok.

I'll try and check the forum every couple of hours for any requests.

Regards - John.

allegria · 12 January 2007, 16:17

Without trying to sound like i'm having a go..I don't think you can call the superhawk 43 and the v45 similar boats. The superhawk is a high performance ( 50 knots with the big engines) boat representing sunseekers performance heritage. The V45 is a "cruise in comfort" style boat. I think also because the 43 has the stepped hull there is a premium to pay for the production costs of that.

wavecrosschris · 12 January 2007, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by allegria

Without trying to sound like i'm having a go..I don't think you can call the superhawk 43 and the v45 similar boats. The superhawk is a high performance ( 50 knots with the big engines) boat representing sunseekers performance heritage. The V45 is a "cruise in comfort" style boat. I think also because the 43 has the stepped hull there is a premium to pay for the production costs of that.

Your quite right and i'd agree, they are two totally different breeds of boat. But I was demonstrating in my opinion that the Princess for similar size and cost was (in my opinion) much better value for money.

The majority of the excess cost in the sunseeker, price for price will be in the engines and drive gear - especially if you order one with triples.

Nokomis · 12 January 2007, 16:36

My first visit to Excel. been to Earls Court many times. Not as big as I had hoped. Went with £20k to spend on new Rib but came away with nothing. Helpful guy on Ribcraft stand but he told me that he was a technician and I should speak to a salesman ... they were all too busy drinking coffee though. The other item i went to buy was a new hand held gps, unlike Mouldy's experience i found that the Garmin rep. I spoke to couldn't really be bothered. He had obviously been up late the night before! The Garmin glossy was expensively produced but didnt tell you anything and all in American!

The other disappointment was the lack of information that the outboard manufacturers have. I didn’t get any of them to provide fuel consumption figures!

I would agree with earlier posters that the Southampton show is much the better.

allegria · 12 January 2007, 17:19

Following you now Chris. But i guess if you look at the list price for the 55 predator ( arnies + 3 cabins) is near 800k then the 43 does'nt seem to bad. I think Princess represent good value accross their whole range compared with equivalent builders. I think the 43 was a bit of a let down for me. I don't think SS quite knew how to follow the superhawk 48.

wavecrosschris · 12 January 2007, 18:47

Yes, I thought the 48 was a very pretty boat, I find the side view of the new 43 a bit 'bulky' - needs a nose job of about 5ft I rekon. You'll have to excuse my defensiveness over Sunseeker comparsons i'm afraid! - I once had to write 13,000 words on their design for a dissertation and I think it did something to my brain

allegria · 12 January 2007, 21:42

Sunseekers best design period was early n90s/late 80s and then late 90s and into the millenium. I think the current range is a bit...well as you said "bulky". I think the 48 is stunning, and of course the 75 predator.

Sorry about the thread drift a bit.

Lawrence · 13 January 2007, 00:06

Just got back from a great day at Excel; dead easy to get there, parked under-cover 100yds from the entrance and then nearly seven hours of wandering around drooling over fantastic kit.
Had a good chat with Charlie on the Ribcraft stand who were showing a 5.85, a 4.8, a 6.5 (or 6.3) and a 750 Sport with a 300hp Suzuki (there was a cutaway version on the Suzuki stand - very impressive).
Chandlery bargains thin on the ground and not as much stuff or exhibitors as Southampton.
All Excel staff were very helpful and all sales people eager to help from all makes; couldn't fault anybody.

GuyP · 14 January 2007, 16:27

Had a great day at the LBS yesterday. Spent 6 hours there but could have done with another 4 or 5. RIB Manufacturers present were:

Ribcraft (had show deals on - up to £2k off a 5.85 package)
XS Ribs
Tornado
Rib-X
Ribeye
Ribtec (a sole 635)
Valiant (had some great show deals on)
Bladerunner
SeaHawk (new Rib from the Whiteshark guys)
Tohatsu
Sealegs
Avon / Bombard / Zodiac
BWM Animal
Cobra
Plus a couple from a small Polish manufacturer

Below are some pictures of the new Avon 580. Apologies for the quality, my lense wasn't wide enough and I'd been at the Guinness stand for a bit

GuyP · 14 January 2007, 16:31

Some more pics below:

1. The Ribcraft 750 Sport with 300hp Suzuki (other boats on the stand were a 5.85, 4.8 and a 6.3)
2. The new Sea Hawk from Kelt (White Shark). Absolutely awesome boat (60k though!) http://www.seahawk-boats.com/presentation_uk.htm

Hightower · 14 January 2007, 16:43

Anyone know what Avon are doing with the new hull design? Design innovation or gimmic?