Southampton Boat show?

[Graham Nash]

He doesnt do "fishing" so he will be more interested in sitting in the cabin  (or deck) sipping fizzy stuff, while his kids swim or paddleboard around. Personally id prefer the fishing/sport style, but a bigger cabin suits his needs better. 

[Jim]

Quote "so he will be more interested in sitting in the cabin  (or deck) sipping fizzy stuff,"

 

Coke,  Lemonade, Irn Bru.

That sort of thing? ? ?  😉

 

[Graham Nash]

Yes Jim, something along those lines 

[Graham Nash]

anyway, we digressed again ....

 

https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/

[2006holmwood]

Will be going with my mate, more than likely wednesday.

anybody arround let me know,

will mostly be looking at Sibs & Ribs.

Mick.

[Graham Nash]

I'll be there today ..... Ill let you know what I thought later. 

[Jim]

And what your Son bought.  😃

[Graham Nash]

Well, I was at the show yesterday with my son (who had a 2.5 million pound bonus burning a hole in his pocket).

Remember, hes never had a boat, hes never wanted a boat and until 3 weeks ago had never been out on a pleasure boat!

He has 3 very adventurous kids who want to fish, paddle board, ski and swim.

He wanted a boat and didnt care what it was.  

My idea was to show him various smallish boats boats with small cabins and plenty of deck space for the kids activities. He and his wife/kids could then get their ideas and scour the adverts and find the right deal.

As we entered the show, the kids checked out some RIBS and they were all excited, He wasnt so excited. He looked at antares 9 with twin 250HP engines for about 3-400k ... he was excited but the kids weren't so impressed.

The choice of smaller boats between 30-80 grand was very very limited, with orkney, warrior and a couple of others being about it. There were plenty of plastic tubs for 25-35k or ultra modern at 250k upwards, but i didnt see anything that i had hoped to show him.

 

His missus was listening to the kids, she showed them a Robalo 180, 18ft walk around with loads of space, 115hp motor and loads of rod holders for 55K!!!! The kids loved it (i must be honest I quite liked it too, although massively over my budget)

 

He conceded, did a deal and bought it. 

 

I actually think it was a much more sensible boat than what he was intending, especially with the cost of fuel at the moment. (Although id have been scouring the for sale adverts for a used one rather than brand new myself, but then, I didnt get a 2.5M bonus this year (nor any year).

 

The show was "OK", but i just wondered where the cost of living crisis is when you see such opulence. A long long way out of my price range.  

 

[Jim]

I should have said . . . . . . Martin's Rodman is a great family boat.

 and still up for sale.

I think that Robalo will get very cold in this country.

Time will tell.

 

[Graham Nash]

he's actually really excited. He's booked his level 2 and VHF course for him, his wife and his 15 year old. He's bought a ringo, wet suits, paddle boards and life vests all round. 

 

Id guess he'll use it a couple of times this year then probably it'll be put on the stack at Portland until the sun comes out again next year.

 

To be honest, he wanted something along the lines of Martins, but his missus and kids didn't. And for once he actually listened to them.  

 

But the choice at the boat show was very limited. 

[Jim]

👍

[great white]

Well done on finding his first boat, of a sensible size and power. Many of us would of got carried away with that budget.

 

He also sounds very sensible in booking the training, prior to starting using it.

 

A good friend did the same two seasons ago, bought a similar boat and did training with his family.

He has really enjoyed being confident to take the boat out from Cobbs in the nice weather.

He has moved her from dry stack to a pontoon to make it even easier.

 

 

[2006holmwood]

went to boat show today, absolutely waste of money ,big empty spaces,not a lot of chandlers, not as many affordable boats, less food and drink stalls,hardley any seating for us old farts.

[Graham Nash]

1 hour ago, 2006holmwood said:

went to boat show today, absolutely waste of money ,big empty spaces,not a lot of chandlers, not as many affordable boats, less food and drink stalls,hardley any seating for us old farts.

I agree, reference the show and the chandlery. Plenty of Champaign palaces but very little for the "normal" guy. (although the Louisiana Chicken food was nice) 😉