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The 2012 London Boat Show seems to have broadened its base by upping the high-end ante on land, with a brand new shorebased feature – the Luxury Lifestyle & Supercar Showcase.

Visitors to the Show, on its second day today (Saturday), were hard pushed to actually see a boat from some vantage points in the dedicated showcase gallery.

With sailboat presence at the Show conspicuously reduced this year – Bénéteau being notable absentees – the added element of premium off-water offerings, including powerful and pricey cars, jaw-dropping jewellery and top-range financial products, is clearly designed to attract a particularly plush level of the marine-leaning market.

Given the ExCel venue’s proximity to London’s financial district it’s probably a shrewd addition to the Show’s range, although whether it appeals to most PBO readers will be interesting to hear.

There is, however, plenty of more traditional fare on offer, besides the usual array of boats, gear, marine organisations and sailing holidays, such as:

• sail-handling demonstrations with our sister publications, Yachtings Monthly and World
• a climbing experience up part of one of the actual masts from the legendary HMS Victory (safely harnessed and helmeted, of course) – especially popular with kids, who get into the Show free
• the Knowledge Box, where experts on a wide range of marine activities talk to Show visitors

The last item is directly opposite our base on the IPC Media stand F106 (itself handily across from the Guinness Bar), so if you are visiting the Show do please drop by to share your thoughts on any aspect of the London Boat Show, buy our magazines on exclusive show offer or even just to say ‘hello’.

PBO always wants to hear from our readers, so you can even tweet us on #TPLBS – you don’t have to be at the Show to do this – and appear on the stand’s Tweetwall!

www.londonboatshow.com
#TPLBS

_{Photos: David Harding}