Southampton Boat Show

[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.

[Julian Swindell]

Matt is planning a GRP BC20. I think the problem is that it is not much cheaper than the BC23 which makes them look unattractive.
I know what you mean about Shrimpers in Poole Harbour. I have to dodge them all the time.. There is a really big racing fleet of them at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, which seems a bit odd. I had a look into one at Southampton, and their internal layout is very limited compared to the BC20. But they are nice boats. I think the Cape Cutter is better though.

[Jonathan Stuart]

Yes, I like the Cape Cutter too. It is fairly unrefined (and low) in the cabin but seems good value. A GRP BC20 would need to be cheaper than the BC23. I think the Cape Cutter and Cornish Shrimper/Adventure are about £22K and £24K (give or take a K) respectively; a GRP BC20 could justify more than that, but surely needs to be closer to £25K than, say, £30K.

[david]

I like the Cape Cutters and actually considered buying one prior to buying my BayRaider. I had a few sails on the one pictured here and that help me decide on the BayRaider. I found the cabin of the Cape Cutter to be cramped, the set up and take down are significantly longer to do, launching takes more water.  But all in all a very pretty boat that sails nicely. I found the BayRaider to just be better all around.

David.

[Julian Swindell]

There is really nothing to compare with Baycruisers and raiders for shallow water launching. I can launch in about 9inches. People are always amazed when I launch at Poole just with the trailer tyres in the water. Almost every boat being launched there requires the trailer to be unhooked and completely submerged. It was one of the major selling points to me.

[Peter Taylor]

A GRP BC20? That's an interesting idea!

As I understand it, I'm having to wait so long (over a year) for my wood/epoxy BC20 because they take much more effort at SB to build one. And watching my boat being built ( or looking at Jim Levang's photos of his build) makes me realise just how much is involved.  The GRP hulls (and decks?) are moulded in Poland so the effort needed in Wales, and the waiting time, is significantly less. And apparently SB have recently lost two more experienced boat builders during the last year, at least one going off to run his own firm. That means the experience for building the wooden boats is limited. No wonder Matt was showing GRP boats at the Southampton Boat Show  - they just can't build very many wood/epoxy ones, and they would not achieve the turn-over.

For a small boat the price issue is always a problem. When I ordered my BC20, a GRP BC23 would have cost hardly anything more. But the smaller boat was what I wanted and I must admit, despite the wait, I'm glad mine is wood/epoxy!

peter

[Michael Rogers]

I wonder whether the GRP/epoxy-ply cost differential has increased: and, if so, whether this is because GRP building has become relatively cheaper, or ply building more expensive, or a bit of both?

When enthusing to Matt about the Trouper 12 design earlier in the year, he told me that it was not economic (he didn't say whether this was a new situation) for them to build the T12 in epoxy/ply, but that a GRP version was a possibility in future. I did also hear a suggestion (not from Matt) that Swallow Boats might do their own GRP moulding, i.e. 'in house', in future. (Am I just feeding baseless rumours? - if so, my sincere apologies to Matt.)

As far as the T12 is concerned, I hope availability doesn't wither because of lack of promotion, because the design is a cracker. I presume SB will continue to do the kits, which I understand are adequately profitable, particularly once the build instructions have been written and tested. I agree with Peter - ply/epoxy for me, not least because of the weight advantage. It'll be worth the wait, Peter!

Michael