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Southampton Boat Show

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Julian Swindell:
Has any one been yet? I am going on Sunday and wondered if there was anything I should look out for?

Graham W:
I went today in fairly unpleasant weather. I gather that Jonathan S and Andy D were there yesterday.

Matt has a BC23, BRe and BR20 on display and there are plenty of other boats of that size in his part of the park.  There are the usual large number of clothing and shoe stalls (they must be more profitable than real chandlery).  In the marina part, there are a quite astonishing number of competing mid-range yachts, motorboats and RIB's, most of which are indistinguishable from one another. A saunter round in better weather might result in a less jaundiced view and bad weather or not, it is far preferable to the London Boat Show.

One interesting snippet that I picked up on the Torqueedo electric outboard stand - they have some new variations at the lower end of the range which will probably be announced in November.  These new models may or may not solve the problem of tbe short shaft being longer than standard and therefore preventing the propeller from being tilted properly in the BR20 outboard well.

Jonathan Stuart:
Yes, I was there with Andy D on Weds as Graham mentioned. It is the usual Southampton show - all the usual stuff in the usual places. No exciting surprises that I noticed, although given that I like the show (esp. compared to London) I enjoyed the day as usual. Matt has a model of the BC25 (made via a 3D printer) on his stand so that was quite interesting. Like Graham, I continue to wonder why there are so many stalls selling rattan garden furniture and similar.

Julian Swindell:
I've just been and enjoyed seeing the small boats and all teh accessories, but wandering around the pontoons I was struck by just how similar most of the big boats seem to be. Very little made me stop and stare, and I don't need much to do that. Swalloboats stand was good and it was good to catch up with Matt. But he really needed a BC20 there to raise the quality...

Jonathan Stuart:
Although your point about a BC20 was, I assume, made tongue in cheek, I think there is a valid point here. I never cease to be surprised at the number of Cornish Shrimpers in existence - the weekend before last I was in Poole harbour and there is a sizable colony of them at the Sandbanks end. And when I see them on the road or being launched I can't help thinking how much a BC20 has going for it in comparison.

While at the show I suggested to Matt & Nick that given how well the Shrimper & Cape Cutter sell he really should consider making a GRP BC20. (Sorry, Julian, for saying GRP but I see that as the mass market reality). Even though the BC23 is very light and easily towed there seems to be a good market of people who want to stay around 20'. If priced at the right level then GRP BCs in 20', 23' and 25' configurations would surely make a compelling set of trailer sailers.

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