Two men and a boat show

Multi-million-pound floating palace, anyone? Or how about a nice inflatable Rib? Tom Bradshaw and photographer Peter Frankland didn't know where to look next when they visited the Collins Stewart London Boat Show THE largest, most varied selection of boats and watersports equipment in the British Isles has been gathered for the Collins Stewart London Boat Show - all under one roof.

The 10-day event at ExCel, in the capital's docklands, has attracted thousands of marine enthusiasts since it opened on Friday.

And it's no surprise that for those into boats, it is nigh-on heaven.

It offers the chance to explore hundreds of world-class makes and models from multi-million-pound motor cruisers to one-man lasers and inflatable ribs and everything in between. Also on offer is a full range of equipment, from outboards to GPS and all the latest marine gadgetry.

For photographer Peter and me - both equally enthusiastic about boats, having been brought up by families obsessed with sailing - two days' so-called work at the show could not have been more fun.

We explored countless boats we couldn't afford in our wildest dreams as well as checking out others which we could more realistically aspire to.

We also made the most of a range of demonstrations including having a go at powerboat racing and trying to dock a superyacht - albeit, fortunately, on a simulator.

But after two full days at the show, we had hardly scratched the surface.

Those attending for the first time would find it hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the event.

Internally, ExCel is divided into two arenas covering 65,000sq. m of floor space - the size of more than 10 football pitches.

It's enormous. And it is filled with hundreds of boats of every size, including several over 60ft. The largest and second-largest were an 82ft and a 92ft Sunseeker - and yes, we blagged our way onto both. Even bigger toys were to be found moored in the adjacent dock.

We set off from Guernsey on the red-eye flight barely able to contain our excitement.

At our hotel, the receptionist told us the best way to get to the show was by boat. How apt.

Minutes later we boarded a ferry, which sailed down river and dropped us at Canary Wharf. From there it was straight onto a connecting bus, which drove us the two miles to the ExCel.

Through the main entrance of the centre is one vast, central corridor spanning the length of the building.

It houses a number of small stands including that of the Royal Yachting Association - and a fog-simulation tunnel in which we got lost.

This was flanked by two arenas, one almost exclusively given over to sail and the other to power.

Our first experience of the scale of the show was after wandering into the sail arena. Immediately our eyes were transfixed on the £2m.-plus Oyster 655 - a 65ft luxury yacht which deservedly took pole position.

The brand new vessel - 99% of all the show boats were - looked immaculate as the pristine fibreglass gleamed under the conference centre lights.

Later we got on board and were blown away by the lavishness of the interior. As with so many of the yachts we saw, there came the disheartening feeling that it had so much more room than my two-bedroom flat and a damn sight more luxury.

My jaw dropped as I gazed at this enormous yacht in a trance. But then Peter alerted my attention to everything else behind.And what a sight: yachts from under 20ft to over 60ft in every direction, arranged in the most visually impressive layout.

We wandered around aimlessly and were overwhelmed for a while before setting out to explore more seriously.

Weighed down with two laptops and far too much camera gear, we needed to check in some excess baggage.

Fortunately for us this came courtesy of main sponsor Collins Stewart, which provided access to its executive lounge. The refreshments and hospitality offered there were rivalled only by our regular invitations into the Sunseeker lounge - it's all about who you know.

As the Collins Stewart lounge was not the easiest to find, it took a whistle-stop tour of the site to locate it.

This took us right around the powerboat arena, which was more impressive only because of the larger number of bigger boats.

All the major players were competing. The aforementioned Sunseeker stand was flanked by rivals Fairline and Princess, each with several boats over 60ft. These three dominated the arena, but for lesser budgets and aspirations, there was arguably more elegance in some of the smaller craft.

I am a sailor through and through but can get almost as enthusiastic about powerboats. Basically, if it floats, I'm in.

But traditionally lined boats will always get my vote.

That said, you can't dispute the magnificence of these large vessels.

With the bags dropped, we had a quick coffee and then got to work.

The game plan was simple: Catch up with as many Guernsey folk as possible early on and then spend the rest of the day checking out boats and indulging in all the show had to offer. Eight hours and several glasses of champagne later - mission accomplished.

First we caught up with the VisitGuernsey contingent and others on the Channel Islands stand.

Here potential visiting yachtsmen could learn everything they needed to know about the islands.

Alderney harbour master Stephen Shaw told us that while the islands were arguably the finest sailing location in the UK, a number of potential visitors were put off by our large tidal ranges and challenging navigation.

'And then later in the season they turn up in the harbour and thank us.'

Next stop was the Jeanneau Yachts stand to catch up with Guernsey Marine Traders' vice-president Richard Corcoran, representing local dealer Sea Ventures.

Unfortunately Richard, a close friend, was not able to make the show. But his boss, Nigel Colley, the managing director of the company, which also has branches in Lymington, Hamble and in Brighton, made us feel very welcome.

The firm also deals in Aquador powerboats and handles an extensive brokerage.

French-built Jeanneau yachts are phenomenally popular throughout the world. Thousands are built at the La Rochelle yard annually.

The stand features a full range from the smallest Sun 2000 20ft trailer-sailor to the 49ft deck saloon.

At the RYA stand we caught up with Guernsey Sailing Trust director John Elliott, who was enjoying the first day of his seventh consecutive year at the show.

He is on the training committee of the association and is on hand to answer questions on all aspects of sail training.

'I always enjoy the show. It keeps me up to speed with what is going on in this industry and provides me with lots of useful contacts.'But he said it was very hard work with 10 hours on his feet every day.

'Each year I say it will be my last one, but I have a very short memory.'

By now we had been there more than two hours and had already left one thing too long - it was time to try our luck on the Sunseeker stand. This took pride of place in the power arena and looked awesome.

The stand was tiered, with two 40-footers either side at the front, then progressively larger pairs of boats culminating in the 82 and 90ft yachts at the back, the radar arches of which were practically brushing the ceiling. Near the front of the stand was a reception desk controlling access to the VIP lounge.

We introduced ourselves and asked to speak to Guernsey dealer Martin Lovell, of Channel Island Marine.

We were told that he was not to arrive for a couple of days but Sarah Matlock, who had co-founded the dealership with her husband, Richard, in Jersey 20 years ago, would be happy to see us.

She came out and invited us down into the exclusive lounge for a beer and a chat. Sarah and Richard have truly seen Sunseeker grow from building 20-footers to an ever-increasing range, which today goes up to 37m superyachts costing millions. They set up the Channel Islands dealership in 1986 after buying the biggest of its fleet at the time, a 36ft Rapallo.

Business quickly took off.

Sunseeker in Poole builds 300 yachts a year, of which 90% are exported. Sarah and Richard's Sunseeker branch includes a 6,500sq. m service centre.

The biggest to be sold in the Channel Islands so far is a 75ft yacht to Long Port chairman Charles Billson last year.

We cheekily asked Sarah if we could take a look at the bigger equivalents at the top of the stand and she gave us a guided tour. Both had six luxurious en-suite cabins and an abundance of space for relaxing and entertaining. From the barbecue areas on their sundecks to the cocktail bars inside, they made a mockery of my modest 18ft cabin cruiser.

In fact, even their tenders did.

But even these two magnificent yachts were dwarfed by their bigger sister outside - the newly launched prototype 37m trideck, which was made to order for racing supremo Eddie Jordan at a cost of £10.9m.

Our biggest challenge was to blag our way on to that - amazingly we did and it really was the icing on the cake.

For an exclusive look inside this £11m. floating palace, check out the next Afloat page on Wednesday week.

The rest of our first day was spent examining more modest craft.

On the sailing side we were impressed by new and old favourites by Nauticat, Hallberg Rassey and Southerly.

For power I fell in love with the traditionally lined French-built Rheas.

By 10am on day two we were back at the show feeling a little jaded and in need of wake-up call. This came in the form of screaming around the adjacent dock at 50 knots in 4m inflatables.

ThunderCat racing proved the ultimate hangover cure, especially when your pilot is champion Daniel Williams.

Much of the rest of the day was spent semi-serious window-shopping. Outside on the dock we agreed on our ideal yacht.

The Polish-built Delphia 29 is an incredible boat, which has only recently been introduced into the UK by Rochester broker Medway Bridge Boat Sales.

For little over £50,000 you get a fully specced yacht with the feel of a much bigger boat.

After 15 minutes on board, both our minds turned to how we could afford it and, more challengingly, how to convince our other halves.

The day ended with a trip back into dreamland.

Half-an-hour aboard Eddie Jordan's £10.9m. superyacht, The Snapper, and one last drink in the Sunseeker lounge rounded things off perfectly.