Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show on from 8 - 17 Jan 2010

by Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show News on 15 Dec 2009 Kicking off on Friday 8 January, the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show at London’s ExCeLgeneral Show is set to be 10 of the busiest days in the capital’s boating calendar. The Show is London’s leading and most established annual event showcasing boating, marine products and lifestyle.

Running from 8-17 January, the Show will feature hundreds of boats and with over 400 exhibitors showcasing power and sail boats, dinghies, engines, electronics, deck equipment, charter holidays, sailing courses and more, there’s no better way to discover the thrills of getting on the water.

As well as a great day out the Show is the perfect venue for visitors who are considering a summer sailing holiday or looking for inspiration, planning to invest in or upgrade their boat or just fancy browsing the thousands of products on display.

Getting to the Show could not be easier, with ExCeL just 25 minutes from London Waterloo and Liverpool Street stations. And with over 2,500 car parking spaces on site, those visitors coming by car will be comfortably accommodated.



Fast Show Facts
* 56th Show
* 10 days
* 122,000 visitors*
* Hundreds of boats from canoes to luxury power boats and price tags from £500 to £10 million
* 400 exhibitors

Show Stage powered by Fairline
Show openingLocated in the North Hall of ExCeL, the Show Stage powered by Fairline has undergone a redesign and will be packed with non-stop entertainment throughout the 10 days of the Show. Each day the dance explosion 'Rock the Boat' will showcase fashion as never seen before at the Show, as graduates of the Brian Rogers Dance School perform a series of dance spectaculars incorporating jazz and tap moves to entertain and thrill the audience. Also new to the Stage this year are Show presenters Giles Vickers-Jones, host of ITV at the Movies for ITV1 and regular columnist in Reveal magazine and Torie Campbell, host of the Honda Formula 4 stroke offshore powerboat series for ITV4.

Visitors can hear inspirational stories from ‘Boating Heroes’ such as Geoff Holt and Hilary Lister, record breaking rower Sarah Outen, youngest ever round-the-world sailor Mike Perham and P1 Powerboat Champion Shelley Jory. Huge screens across the Stage will also enable visitors to catch up with the thrills, spills, winners and losers from 2009 with ‘The Best Bits’, a round up of the boating action from the last year as well as hearing real life accounts with the ‘Extra Mile’.

After the launch at the PSP Southampton Boat Show back in September, the two winners of the annual Design a Sail Competition will be announced on Saturday 9th January at 11am on the Show Stage. The lucky winners will each have their design made into a full size sail for a Topper Topaz boat as well as £500 worth of gift vouchers courtesy of Rockley Watersports.

Show Favourites
In association with Classic Boat magazine, International Paint and Old Pulteney, the Classic Boat attraction has been a star of the Show since 2004. With the atmosphere of a friendly working boat yard, approachable and engaging craftsmen will be on hand to offer hints and tips when it comes to traditional skills and workmanship on these much cherished boats. For those keen to get involved in the action there is the chance to master the intricacies of the gaff rig or learn how to climb into a ‘proper’ ship hammock. Renowned marine artists will be painting the two majestic slipper launches and a little trailer-sailing cutter which will be on display.

Located in the Boulevard is the Owner’s Association area where boat owners from various associations, for example, the Moody Owners Association can meet up, swap hints and tips and discuss their boats with like-minded sailors. For those looking to purchase a boat, or to upgrade, this sales free area is also a great place to meet owners, who are passionate about their choice of boat and are very willing to discuss the options available to any boat buyer.

Pay a visit to the Yachtworld.com Brokers Village to browse through comprehensive used boat listings. The Boat Retailers and Brokers Association** (BRBA) and the Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (ABYA) will be at hand on the stand to provide best practice advice for visitors looking to buy a boat.

For those wishing to enjoy a pint of the black stuff, the ever busy Black and White Bar is back by popular demand and bigger and better than ever. Or head to the Clubs and Associations Bar and enjoy a drink whilst overlooking the Classic Boat attraction, in association with Classic Boat magazine, International Paint and Old Pulteney, next door. For those looking for more glamour and sophistication, the Sunseeker Champagne Bar is sure to be the place to be seen at the Show.

For those visitors who have been following the Boating on a Budget diary pages of the Show’s website, the 36 year old Hunter 19 ‘Barangoola’ will be on display. Raising funds for RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch through a £5 per ticket raffle to win her; the ‘Barangoola’ demonstrates just how affordable boating can be as she will be transformed into a shiny good-as-new cruiser by loving volunteers in the run up to the Show for just £5,000.

Get Interactive!
Show visitors can also test their marine skills against friends and family in the ever-popular interactive Deck Games zone. The centre-piece is a 25m long 1m-deep indoor pool. The indoor pool will feature on-water model yacht racing, which can become incredibly competitive and vocal if past years are anything to go by.

On at the weekends, younger visitors can experience kayaking on the pool with Pelican Kayaks in a safe and warm environment. Conducted under the watchful eye of the Lee Valley Canoe Cycle coaching team and with all the latest equipment provided by Avoncraft, visitors are strongly encouraged to book early on the day to avoid disappointment.

Specifically set aside for a much younger audience is the colouring area with International Paints.

The Deck Games zone has an educational element as well as a fun interactive side. Sailors can learn how to be more environmentally friendly with the BMF and RYA initiative The Green Blue, as well as speak to one of the rowing experts from Concept 2 to find out how to get involved in one of the oldest and most diverse sports in the world.

Out on the Royal Victoria Dock
Outside, the marina will showcase the boats that are simply too big to fit through the doors to London’s biggest exhibition centre. Some of the largest boats in production from luxury names such as Sunseeker and Princess will be on display, having sailed up the Thames from Poole and Plymouth respectively just after the New Year celebrations.

Over the weekends, the Royal Victoria Dock outside the South Hall of ExCeL will play host to exciting on-water activity. The Dinghy weekend, 16-17 January 2010, starts at 12pm on Saturday 16 with the Ovington Skiff Grand Prix running for two hours. Sunday 17 will see British Sailing: Battle of the Classes Pursuits Race take over the dock from 2pm with prize giving for both events taking place on the Show Stage powered by Fairline at 5pm.

Tickets and Show information
For all the latest information on the Show itself, including opening times, ticket prices and sales, news, feature information and exhibitors, log on and check out the Show’s website at http://www.londonboatshow.com/. Visitors purchasing tickets in advance will enjoy a discounted rate, which is available through the Show’s website, or by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 209 0333.

The Show is excellent value for money when it comes to a great day out in the capital as kids aged 15 and under go free, with each ticket admitting one adult and two children.

For those looking to spoil themselves and really make a day out of the Show is the all new London Platinum Experience. For £85, Platinum Experience ticket holders get a free parking space, delicious buffet lunch, VIP area to enjoy the Show Stage powered by Fairline, use of the exclusive Tullett Prebon Platinum Lounge providing a sanctuary with the Show and a free Showguide.

www.londonboatshow.com