311. The biggest boat show in the UK! (Southampton 2023)

The Southampton Boat Show is a massive exhibition of everything to do with boating, large and small, cheap and costly. I was invited along to give a talk about the inland waterways (which get very little recognition at this show, generally) but also took my video camera so as to produce this quick look around some of the exhibits.
#AD Visit ABNB, the canal boat broker, to buy or sell your canal boat at www.abnb.co.uk or call 01788 822115
Info about the show www.southamptonboatshow.com
If you have enjoyed the video, a tip can be left via
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
or / cruisingthecut
For Info
Q&A: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/f-a-q/
Filming Gear: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/gear/
Contact Me
Twitter: / cruisingthecut
Instagram: / cruisingthecut
Facebook: / cruisingthecut
Web: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk
Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[@xIDarkSideIx]

"You're gonna need a bigger boat" 😂

'mowing down peasants in lesser boats'... made my day

[@BoiledOctopus]

"...mowing down peasants" 🤣 Thanks David, literally spat my drink out!

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@zapfanzapfan]

Are canoeists the waterway equivalent of peasants maybe? 🙂

[@markyoungman148]

more likely cyclists, methinks. @@zapfanzapfan

[@adrenazanetti3660]

😂🤣😂💙👍🏼

[@ttgandydancer]

By far the best statement I've heard all week. I also experienced drink containment issues when I heard this.

[@t1n4444]

No matter what anyone says David not only do you richly deserve your own TV series, plural (I can't quite recall what a series of series is called just at this moment) but in my not so humble opinion you should be doing voice overs for ads and even a spot of continuity as well, no doubt about it. And of course this episode reached new heights ... who'd have thought to give a timely hint that seagulls shit on anyone, no matter the size of their wallet, if they're daft enough to leave the lid open on a sunny day in a marina/port or harbour. Some of the really big seagulls can hold a quart. Seriously.

[@CruisingTheCut]

True; when I worked in Kent, trips to Folkestone or Dover etc were inevitably followed by a trip to the car wash!

[@helicopter12345678]

And they are good at pinching your food 😅

[@jeanhutchinson6198]

Lots of cool boats to see, but your lighthearted commentary was the best part of the video.😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

😊 thanks

[@markyoungman148]

Giving @aquaholic a run for his money @@CruisingTheCut

[@quarlow1215]

Absolutely love the Fleming "Voyager". They are from my area and I've been following them on there adventures up and down our coast on KZbin.

[@Debba521]

Very enjoyable! Loved seeing such a diverse group of boats, from multi millions to a few thousand, something for everyone. Looks like your canal talk went well, nice number of folks in the audience. Thanks for sharing!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@firesurfer]

First boat show I've seen actually in the water. I worked at a convention center that had a yearly boat show. I did the setup for many companies. Everything from carpet to access stairs, platforms and conventional booths. Nice to see them floating.

[@maryjnorwood3962]

Thanks for letting us run around with you, at the show! What fun! 🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️😎😘

[@g.marion5888]

Your line about mowing down peasants made me LOL. Nice one:)

[@jennifermoody487]

David, I thoroughly enjoyed my very first Boat Show. Thank you. Like many of the folks who commented before I did, I burst out laughing when you said that that engine would be ideal for "mowing down peasants"--how fun you make every outing. Thank you!!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you liked it!

[@philgray1023]

That Fleming is pure class! Excellent, entertaining work David. Thank you for the video. Surely they had discount tickets for pensioners.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes they do

[@YorkshireBeaver]

That must be the “boats i cant afford” show. How the rich live!! 😀. Makes me want to watch Howards way again.

[@fullpulse2000]

Excellent tour of many of the boats David, though I saw the Cats In a distance, always like them.

[@roboftherock]

I spotted a typo on the MGB info panel. As ever, a compact and comprehensive overview of the mass of craft afloat. I know the audience will have enjoyed your discourse. I've been enjoying these vlogs since the start. I call it a toilet - or a head or a loo or a bog or a cludgie, depending on my mood. Take your pick.

[@markcarpenter6300]

Really enjoyed your humour. Thank you for brightening my evening on a horrible wet day.

[@CruisingTheCut]

You are welcome!

[@tommysheehan8707]

You forgot to mention, Fleming make the most wonderful escapist travelogs for people like me with a Dutch 28 ft cruiser limited to inland waterways that fantisize about the freedom (backround music incl) of going out into the open ocean to look at a ice slipping down a hillside. If I could afford one,??? I would buy a Fleming in a heart beat Regards Tommy

[@garrymartin6474]

My Mum and Dad had a Fairline at one point ! No not the multi million pound example you viewed but a 19 foot go anywhere ( well most places depending on the engine ) GRP cruiser built in the early 70's. I must admit I'm keeping an eye out for one myself as it was a splendid little boat.

[@johnlong3214]

I was enjoying this video (as I always do) but then my mood went up a gear when you said "bog" and I actually did laugh out loud. simple things! 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@gristledassow5373]

"She stands upon Southampton docks with her handkerchief and her summer frock...." Couldn't help myself, love your content. Thank you, sincerely.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated!

[@alc7926]

Thanks for attending the show for us and taking your viewers along with you. At 40 quid, the entry fee is quite steep, I think, so I hope you got in gratis. It was a very nice walk around though and good to see the different layouts on offer.

[@eekee6034]

Southampton was the first boat show I went to, years ago. I saw a sign as I was driving past Southampton, and went on impulse. To get in, you had to pay with cash or credit card. Debit cards were new in those days, and I guess they were for people who couldn't afford credit cards. When I tried to pay my entrance fee with a debit card, the guy on the till looked at me like I was some slimy thing trying to crawl into his boat. ;) I had a lovely time once I was inside, especially seeing something else that was new in those days: a 4-berth sailing catamaran which was light enough and strong to fly a hull like a beach cat. It was my favourite colour, too: bright yellow. Stuff of dreams, that thing! You might want to be careful with your tea, though. ;) 2:05 controls on the armrests! I didn't know those were real when I designed them into a digital model of a spaceship I dreamed of. Not so much a space ship as a space yacht. ;) "Mowing down"... Oh, you're a laugh and a half, David! XD Well, that was fun! Thanks for making it, David. :) It brought back more dreams than memories and had me starting on some new ones. That's a good thing right now, especially as I just resolved to have a go at making a boat or two. Nothing bigger than a canoe though.

[@nancykisser]

That was super fun! Thank you! My favorite… the Flemming. Love their KZbin channel as well. That mini-fisher was 2nd favorite. Also, you are SO FUNNY!! 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@pamcullen537]

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour David and a couple of boats I fancied wouldn’t go under a canal bridge unfortunately. My only criticism is that you didn’t open that fridge door with no sign on ! 😂💕🦆

[@CruisingTheCut]

I was so tempted!

[@jamesrichardson476]

For a while, MGB 81 was moored on the Beaulieu River, where we kept our boat. She was powered by 3 massive diesels which made a hell of a row when they started up, and even more of a noise when they opened up the throttles. There is a five knot speed limit on the Beaulieu River which, given that she did about eight knots at tickover, called for a lot of coming in and out of gear to obey the rules :).

[@familyw5661]

Great now I need a boat! Thanks David great job like always.

[@dmcarpenter2470]

David: The narration made the video. Thanks much.

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're welcome

[@snv648]

I’m with you on the Fleming!

[@stephenhayes6133]

Thank you David, very interesting i remember when i was last at the Southampton boat show it coat about £15 to get in mind you, this was in the 1980s

[@iangill8984]

We have never been to the Boat show but bizarrely cruised from Southampton 3 times when the boat show was on - odd because we have only sailed from Southampton 5 times. Bugger of a job getting to the cruise terminals but hopefully well worth visiting for those interested.

[@artd.1498]

Wow! I have never seen anything like this. Amazing. I hope the owners of these beauties appreciate their good fortune. Thank you, David, for giving me a glimpse of a different life.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@svenjohnson2389]

You have impeccable taste! The Fleming is a dream!

[@sandihandi7831]

Boat shows (and campers too) are always fun to see how "the other half lives". Great video. Thanks David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@loki7441]

Thank you for the quick look at the two WW2 patrol boats. They deserve a good shout for their past service. Most show reviewers would forget them for shiny gin palaces. The Lurssen is a proper boat alright, beautiful interior.

[@tinafreeman6937]

🤣😂🤣...this was fun! Boats ‘to die for’ while almost dying laughing. Thank you David.

[@rickkearn7100]

Top-shelf editing, CTC! Couple that with your world-class, tongue-in-cheek narrative (a good chuckle every minute) , there simply isn't a better YT channel in this genre. Shameless patronizing aside, that's a fantastic boat show. Thanks for an excellent tour. Cheers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahaha thank you!!

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you David for the show tour. Some magnificent boats there. Certainly out of my budget but always fun to window shop.

[@davidpratthk]

Well done David. We all hope you get what you aspire to.

[@williamkiernan3545]

the li-lo

[@alisavas9526]

Looks like a great boat show, and you did justice for sure. Great choice of boats

[@jaquigreenlees]

Those huge panes of glass in the gin palaces are also known as gaping holes in the hull designed to sink the boat.

[@sparkybluefox]

David ! I was thinking about your channel...... and ! BAM ! this sweet video appears on youtube !!!! BRAVO ! I live 2 miles from the Detroit River and it's making me want , want , want. ! SBF

[@bellamartin5353]

Enjoyable.

[@txfotog]

Very interesting to see boat shows from other countries. Thanks for the video!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Lots of great info., David, and thanks for several good chuckles, including the tempting refrigerator door "Do Not Open" signs and, especially, your wanting to rub your nose in the fluff. Thanks again!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀😀

[@howardlockhart3615]

Very nice boats and everyone likes a nice bog I’m sure. Good video, enjoying the new videos very much.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@markgruenberg6277]

Hello from New Jersey, USA. Appreciate the look at the Boat show. Enjoyed it very much. Be well and stay safe.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching!

[@jasfiona]

Excellent. Thank-you David

[@stephenmccarthy6892]

"very light and airy because the cockpit can be opened up to let the seagulls poo on your head" ...I nearly died laughing😂😂😂😂

[@wb2989]

Love the thumbnail! Tony builds a nice boat, cheers!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Definitely

[@andyrbush]

We lived on our boat in Kemah Texas for three years. While looking for one to buy we went to the Houston Boat show. The broker asked if we were planning long trips such as the great loop. I replied, no we will moor in a marina, and sit in the back of the boat drinking beer. He laughed and said I was the first honest buyer he had met. We did float around Galveston Bay in the boat each weekend and once went to Galveston town, but that was the extent of our adventures. But just being on the boat was really so much nicer than being in a house. Also we didn't need flood insurance necessary otherwise in the area.

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@christineprice5463]

Lovely, thanks David

[@gafrers]

Great show

[@LuciousDeMorte]

There are some KZbinr's i could just listen to for hours, you're definitely one of them. Ever thought of doing Audiobooks?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Well ... see kzbin.info

[@nicolajozefek4014]

I really enjoyed this video!! It's great to have a look around loads of boats so very interesting and something I wouldn't think to do in person...thanks david 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rswpt]

brilliant work, David, BBC should get you your own show

[@ozziepilot2899]

Thanks David, beautiful boats. The Fleming brand is really really good. Great narration 🤣

[@rebapuck5061]

Never seen the fold out decks. That's brilliant.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Aren't they?!

[@horstszibulski19]

Just imagine the video without the salty commentary, wouldn't be worth that much! 😂😂😂 Thx a lot! 👍👍👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

😁

[@careyroberts3924]

I thought it was a Fleming boat on the thumbnail. They have a great YT channel with some stunning scenery and excellent narration. Highly recommended......

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

It has been many years since I have been to the Southampton Boat Show. It still looks great. A friend of mine use to have a stand there and I would help him out.

[@everestyeti]

Living in Southampton you know when the Boat show is on as it's always at some point going to rain. 🤣😂 I've been to it many times both as a visitor and working on stands. It used to be bigger, until that is they built a hotel right in the middle of it. Unfortunately its time might be limited as for years the Council have been trying to sell the land off to developers to build fancy apartments and hotels and kill off the whole area.

[@user-kv1nj2kz6r]

12:30 That's what I say when you turn around David 🤣

[@glencrandall7051]

You made me wish I were there. Thanks for the tour. A lot of magnificent boats. I would have liked to get aboard the WWII torpedo boats. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated!

[@52memor]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT !!!!! Thank you David

[@hughcarson6837]

Looks like a good day out

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, definitely

[@ToddTalksTech]

I have a hunch when finished there is a motor launch with a stern berth that will be your favorite, Sarinda!

[@carlosguilhermediasferreir8862]

Big and marvelous boats means big pockets loads with money... But I liked what you gently show us Enjoy the show

[@ejs6010]

Thank you for this boat show video. You captured quite a few great boats.

[@jape7588]

You are a legend!

[@davidpiper3652]

I had considered visiting the show this year but with the cost of a rail ticket and the high entry price I bailed. Not to worry, David has done a video, thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yeah, tickets really not cheap alas

[@t1n4444]

@@CruisingTheCut 😂😂 Tickets definitely priced to keep out narrowboaters!

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

A temporary marina!! That sounds pretty awesome. I’d really like to see how they do that. 🙂🐿🌈❤️

[@thmeier4286]

This is David... You can pull the boattrailer with Your bicycle...

[@mattgoodchild8215]

The playboy lifestyle which you aspire to 😂 superb love your comments Been watching since day 1 m8 Love it and thank you 👍🏼🍺

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀

[@billbrydon3725]

I was thinking the other day about how one of those flippy back things would be great on a narrowboat to save space. Now it faces the dinette, now the lounge.

[@Dannny_Mac]

Thanks!❤️

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're welcome!

[@andyabbott7858]

It was good to meet you and mutually dream in the Princess Boats area.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hello again! Great to meet you too 👍

[@Zwillix]

🤣🤣🤣 Oh! My! God! David!!!! "blabla ... can open the canopy to let the gulls poop on your head ..." That let me burst into laughter screaming like an ape! 🤣🤣🤣 By the way ... thanks very much for another great video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

🙏

[@shirleylynch7529]

Beautiful boats. An enjoyable day out.

[@lenabreijer1311]

Whenever i see those "mow the peasants" boats i sneer but then remember my grandfather was a cabinet maker for those kinds of yachts from the 1920s on. So some trickle down does happen. I now live near the coasts and a lot of neighbours have boats in their backyards. And across the street is a river, but it is a tidal river so the water depth varies from canoe depth to full yacht depth so i don't see much traffic on it.

[@TheMrbazooka]

Top Job Chap 🤘

[@sneekylinux]

Well Dave might have to book tickets for next year!!

[@davidsneddon8508]

Beautiful Australian built boat

[@royalbee9088]

Brilliant commentary 👍🏻😂

[@lucindawilson5510]

thank you

[@QPRTokyo]

Thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're welcome!

[@scotty2307]

At one boat show which I helped set up, one of the boats that we displayed was a 35’ Crownline. During the show the boat was being shown to an older couple, and when the salesman opened the head door, there was a small boy having a poo on the loo. Very embarrassing!

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mickrobinson7429]

best of all vids nice pics great boats but comentry to die for you are at the top of your game mate. the bet vid ever.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@wrinklyrider]

Well done David!

[@re33ce]

Great Blog As Always ❤️ Nice Selection Boats 👏👏

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@marionjohansson4235]

Wow! Big bucks!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Definitely!

[@bennysh]

100k pounds for a boat you can stay in full time? that is a good bargain! your commentary is priceless!

[@CruisingTheCut]

😊😊

[@kerriirvin5206]

I enjoyed the video, your so funny 🫶

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😁

[@victorspaw2k]

I believe that Fleming Venture has some vlogs of its travels in Alaska and the UK.

[@bayman49]

Great tour !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks!

[@myhillslife27]

Traditional Cruiser for me thankyou haha I do like the little Italian number I must say!

[@robtheplod]

Fascinating.... for a day you can certainly forget we are in a cost of living crisis!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I felt so poor wandering around all the people looking to buy!! 🤣🤣

[@RobMartin1ds]

Very nice, thx sir!

[@CruisingTheCut]

My pleasure!

[@jonb3311]

Voice over, inspired by Clerkson era "Top Gear" ! Last night's BBC programme "Sea Defenders" showed how many of these gin palaces end their days. Rotting away in the mud of the river Itchen.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😔

[@scrapdaddysgarage5027]

Have a Pleasant day mowing down Peasants 😂

[@lockedin60]

Just enough to see and realize that there is very few folding money in my billfold and a lot of change jingling in my trousers. Caviar Dreams but tuna fish budgets!