Crick Boat Show

[NealSmith100]

I went for the first time this year on Friday and was a bit disappointed. it never occurred to me that you had to book appointments to look at boats, and whenever I did try they were gone for all weekend because I was told that they tend to get booked up months in advance anyways.

 

Probably my fault for not doing research but it did mean that it was disappointing and that I only got on 3 boats all day

 

Met some lovely people though.

[Earthwatcher]

14 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

You will never know exactly what you want / need until you get to your 10th boat - by that time technology will have changed and there will be new things you want / need.

 

Never get confused between 'want' & 'need', you'll always want more that you actually need (but when owning a boat loadsa-money is always both wanted & needed) 

If I wasn't confused between want and need I'd never get anything, so I'm comfortable with that, thank you. I haven't got the years left in me for 10 boats. If I can't get it right with two, I'll give it up. As far as I can see, in what research I've done to date, the old technologies seem to work best, which is part of the attraction of narrow-boating.  

[MtB]

5 minutes ago, Earthwatcher said:

If I wasn't confused between want and need I'd never get anything, so I'm comfortable with that, thank you. I haven't got the years left in me for 10 boats. If I can't get it right with two, I'll give it up. As far as I can see, in what research I've done to date, the old technologies seem to work best, which is part of the attraction of narrow-boating.  

 

The point is, you never stop learning about boats and boating so what is 'right' for you now probably won't be in a year, or even in six months. All the time your views of what makes a good boat are evolving and it cn be pretty much guaranteed if you order a new boat now, once delivered your views will have moved on and you'll be dissatisfied with something about it you can't change.  

 

Anyway if you're in a hurry to get boating, new is definitely not the way to go. Just buy any decent boat and use it like it is, warts and all, while your opinions develop. 

[thomask130]

Have to say really enjoyed it my first time going
Glad to say I did book a few appointment for boats i was late for my first one due to the M6 accident but they let me off and found the course handling introduction very useful.

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by thomask130

[BruceinSanity]

2 hours ago, NealSmith100 said:

I went for the first time this year on Friday and was a bit disappointed. it never occurred to me that you had to book appointments to look at boats, and whenever I did try they were gone for all weekend because I was told that they tend to get booked up months in advance anyways.

 

Probably my fault for not doing research but it did mean that it was disappointing and that I only got on 3 boats all day

 

Met some lovely people though.

If you went on Friday, I'm not surprised, the show doesn't open until Saturday.

[NealSmith100]

Ha! Yes. Good point. Oops. Sat. Def sat. I remember it well. 

[roland elsdon]

On 25/05/2018 at 21:10, Mike the Boilerman said:

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ABBA???????????????????????????????????

If you have spent a few years in australia with ‘regional radio’ you would hate abba too. The radio stations consider them ‘current’

[Earthwatcher]

4 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

Anyway if you're in a hurry to get boating, new is definitely not the way to go. Just buy any decent boat and use it like it is, warts and all, while your opinions develop. 

I'm not in a hurry (not hurrying is at the heart of narrow boating for me), couldn't fit much more in this year anyway, but I agree that new may not be the way to go for a first boat. Having said that, I have a much better idea what I want now, and realise that to get what I think I want I may have to wait a while. I have a better idea of what I don't want. I also think there may be a lot of fun in watching and influencing a build. I've been around boats for many years, just not narrow boats.

[Grassman]

 

We usually go to the show about every 3 years as it can be a little 'samey'. But this year I obtained a 3 day mooring and entry passes all for free and it offered a different experience. Moored near the footbridge we were able to pop in and out of the show as we wished, so it made the whole experience enjoyable and much more leisurely than having to cram everything into a day.

 

Our moorings were very well organised and we had a great weekend meeting and socialising with other like minded boaters. The evening entertainment was good (Thin Lizzy tribute for me and Abba for the wife), a great range of nice beers (although expensive), and the weather was decent except for the horrendous 3 hour thunder storm on the Sunday night.

 

Would I do it again? No, especially as I'd have to pay next time ?, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and I recommend doing it once just for the experience. The only downside was the 3+ hour queues each way at Watford Locks.

[rgreg]

19 hours ago, thomask130 said:

Have to say really enjoyed it my first time going
Glad to say I did book a few appointment for boats i was late for my first one due to the M6 accident but they let me off and found the course handling introduction very useful.

 

Did you ask the builders about lead times for build slots? If so what kind of timescales were they quoting?

[thomask130]

7 hours ago, rgreg said:

Did you ask the builders about lead times for build slots? If so what kind of timescales were they quoting?

I didn't to be honest.

At the moment im still saving and plan to do my boat handling course and a few holidays spread out before committing to buying a boat.

 

[matty40s]

WINNERS OF BEST WIDEBEAM AND LIVE ABOARD IN CRICK SHOW

 

we will start with why is my boat sinking after 5 years

 

 

 

followed by...

 

oh, no wonder...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 30, 2018 by matty40s

[Alan de Enfield]

7 minutes ago, matty40s said:

WINNERS OF BEST WIDEBEAM AND LIVE ABOARD IN CRICK SHOW

 

we will start with why is my boat sinking after 5 years

 

 

 

followed by...

 

oh, no wonder...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assuming they made a 'special effort' with the show boat one wonders what the standard of finish is with a 'standard production boat'.

 

A wide beam appeared in our Marina last year, and was followed by  regular visits by the manufacturers 'rectification team'. A team of up to 3 were there for several days, and a week later were back again, then another week and another guy turned up.

I asked them if that amount of rectification work was 'normal' on those boats, he replied "this was actual a specially prepared boat for the Crick show, normally they are much worse than this - this one has been easy".

[Stilllearning]

On 29/05/2018 at 14:12, Alan de Enfield said:

You will never know exactly what you want / need until you get to your 10th boat - by that time technology will have changed and there will be new things you want / need.

 

Never get confused between 'want' & 'need', you'll always want more that you actually need (but when owning a boat loadsa-money is always both wanted & needed) 

These are wise words.

Oh, and decently fitted portholes really should not leak, and are much better in every way than bus windows. Just remember to have good pigeon boxes with glass in as well, then there will be plenty of light inside, and a good level of privacy and security. They also look much much better.

[matty40s]

26 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Assuming they made a 'special effort' with the show boat one wonders what the standard of finish is with a 'standard production boat'.

 

A wide beam appeared in our Marina last year, and was followed by  regular visits by the manufacturers 'rectification team'. A team of up to 3 were there for several days, and a week later were back again, then another week and another guy turned up.

I asked them if that amount of rectification work was 'normal' on those boats, he replied "this was actual a specially prepared boat for the Crick show, normally they are much worse than this - this one has been easy".

That is very common for Apolishline, CoLiverpood Boats etc from what I have seen. Todays winner has a bent rudder stock, fenders that dont fit, a diving platform and a sea cock for the toilet!!

 

Edited May 30, 2018 by matty40s

[dave moore]

The festival of Turd polishers, perhaps??

[matty40s]

1 minute ago, dave moore said:

The festival of Turd polishers, perhaps??

sloppy turds if this is used...