The Southampton Boat show 2007

My (serious) interest in building a boat like the C17 started when looking for a replacement for our 'rubber duck' as we were restricted to fair weather boating, and we wanted to get something that we could use in all seasons. Trying to find the 'perfect compromise' of size, layout and availability led me to try building one myself, hence the C17 (in a wet place) project, which has got me hooked on it. I have yet to see anything quite like the C17 on the market.

Boat shows for me are places to find items I didn't think I needed, which doesn't happen often, and to see how the commercial guys put their boats together. To be honest, I only went to SIBS as I hadn't been before. Good news for the future, there is a new show coming up at Earl's Court (where the London Boat Show used to be held) in competition with the LBS - primarily aimed at getting families and first timers out on the water.

First - the weird stuff:

Who says boat owners are a serious bunch? But I wonder what living with a name like that long-term is like? Or am I being too serious? ;-)

Two contenders for the ugliest boats in the world competition:

Fold-up plastic boat (of a different variety). I think it's RCD Cat. D. But only 'cos there isn't a Cat E to apply to it!

And what's going on with this hull design?

The obligatory Grand Banks line-up. I've always liked their style, maybe that's what attracts me to boats like the MT-24 (my next 'big' boat?) and TW-28.

And something just a bit extreme:

And, it's a RIB. I don't understand big RIBs like this, why not just get a 'proper' boat?

And for gentle afternoons on the Thames, from Bossom's boatyard, in Oxford, a little electric day-boat (although it does come in diesel as well):

Finally, I want to know how to attached rub-rail-rope like this:

Next visiting the RM 880:

Tim Hague aka WobblyLegs, Southampton September 2007