Boat show - getting on a big boat

[Olf]

Hello - off to the London boat show again this year and wanted to avoid some of the disappointment of previous years of not being able to get a look see of one of the big Sunseeker's or Princess's (or similar) there.

I am with my wife and two youngsters and it would be great to get a look around one. Does anybody have any tips or suggestions for breaching the defence?

And yes - I am one of the great unwashed!

Ta in advance fellow boat lovers...

[chrisw666]

If they still have a preview day try and get tickets for this, when I've been in the past the bigger stuff was accessible.

Be very good at blagging.

Arrange in advance with manufacturers.

[Olf]

Well that's a good start I have tickets for any day. I'm a pretty good blagger but the art of a good blag is so infrequently rewarded these days! I'll watch a few episodes of Hustle before I go and dress the kids up as urchins.

[AlexanderV8]

Simple..........fancy dress should sort it.

[Olf]

Fancy waistcoat for sure!

[chrisw666]

More seriously even without blagging being polite and friendly to the people on the stands when they're not busy usually works.

[ALawson]

I used to email oyster, prebook an appointment. Arrive early and then enjoy the free fizz, I would be surprised if pre booking didn't work.

You also want to go when they are quiet.

[Olf]

Ok thank you. Will try the pre-booking route - especially as my dream boat is the OM43...

[Boatbuoy]

[Olf]

I see a of light boatbuoy! I should have made sure my Mum kept in touch with one of her old clients. Bernard O...

[Olf]

is a censored word? Really?

[Simpo Two]

Olf said:

is a censored word? Really?

No doubt another case of 'offence by proxy' by a white person. I'd be very surprised if Mr Wun Hung Lo filed an offical complaint.

I wonder if nip works?

Aha, they haven't got nips yet. Ruskies?

[Olf]

Puts me in mind of a recent visit to BC where I had the pleasure of visiting an old fish cannery and learnt about the Iron ... http://www.intheirwords.ca/english/canning_salmon_...

[Benjaminpalma]

Book in advance. Or, if you're serious, arrange a viewing other than at a show (typically full of arrogant, ill-informed, cheap-suited brokers).

[Boatbuoy]

Olf said:

I see a of light boatbuoy! I should have made sure my Mum kept in touch with one of her old clients. Bernard O...

I don't work for Bernard, but I know many people who do. I'm a bit further to the west.

[Olf]

Boatbuoy said:

I don't work for Bernard, but I know many people who do. I'm a bit further to the west.

I gathered - a nice place to be. Will you be at the show or can you PM me any useful PR type people that may look kindly on a boat loving family?

[Ari]

London show is pretty quiet these days, I'd be surprised if you had a problem.

Best tip is get there as early as possible, its pretty dead for the first hour. Head straight for the big boats and ask to view, you should walk straight on. If you can't then ask for an appointment.

Top top tip, make sure your kids are obviously well behaved and under control. You'd be staggered how many parents think the boats are just a playground for their kids to run riot in. Understandably, any hint of that and you will get politely but firmly fobbed off.

[wetny]

I have never been to London, but at Southampton we just joined the que. and walked on.

[wetny]

I have never been to London, but at Southampton we just joined the que. and walked on.

[Sealine South]

This will be my 14th LIBS and to be honest the best thing is to be honest and don't bullst. Ask politely and you will be let on, go early and be prepared to go back at a time to suit them. Even better go on the Tuesday or Wednesday as its DEAD!!

If you pretend to be interested you will be found out and treated like a knob (IMHO rightly so). Don't waste peoples time as we pay a great deal to be there. Be honest and ask to look around and you will be allowed. Simple.

Benjamin Palma has such a high regard for people in the industry, nice chap.