Boat Life Show - 2024!
19th February 2024
Boat Life Show 2024
Friday, 16 February started early but relaxed as Ovation Boats’ Chris Williams and Julia headed off for a day at the Birmingham NEC Boat Life Show.
Arriving just as the show was opening, they immediately bumped into Justin and Emma Green (ABNB), before a quick tour to get their bearings.
This years’ boat show had an abundance of coastal vessels and paraphernalia but, with narrowboats never far from their thoughts, it was inevitable they’d drift off towards Hall 17 and the inland waterways Zone.
A quick coffee and catch-up with Crick Boat Show Manager, Ian Sharpe, was first on the agenda before Chris & Julia headed towards the Lynch Motor Company stand to say ‘hello’ to ‘Mr Lynch’ himself, Trevor Lees. Lynch have provided the motor for the ‘Charnwood Hobbit’, a 42ft fully electric narrowboat being shown by Ovation at Crick.
Trevor Lees from Lynch Motor Company
Chris & Julia then moved on to speak with Pete Bambury, Sales Executive of Fischer Panda. With more and more people enquiring about electric propulsion, an efficient & convenient way to extend cruising time is by way of charging ‘on the go’, whether solar panels or generators. Ovation are currently in discussion with Fischer Panda about generator charging for future ‘Charnwood Hobbits’.
Chris at Fischer Panda 
Chris with Pete Bambury Sales Executive
At 1.45pm a much-needed break was called for, and with ‘Cruising the Cut’ blogger David Johns doing a presentation on the main stage, Chris & Julia watched with Justin & Emma Green who’d also decided they needed a break!
Waiting for 'Cruising the Cut' presentation
Back to the ABNB stand 
Barry & Hannah Caldwell with Chris
By now the day was slipping quickly away and, after walking back to the ABNB brokerage stand with Justin & Emma, Chris & Julia popped next door to see Barry & Hannah Caldwell from Caldwell Windows…….. to talk about ‘smart glass’! As yet this interesting (and exciting) product isn’t widely used but is being explored for one of the commission boats due to be built by Ovation later in the year.
With the day coming to an end, Chris & Julia left before the evening rush, and with the Crick Boat Show on the horizon, a lot of things to contemplate.
If you’re considering having a boat built in 2024, and would like to discuss any ideas you may have, whether ‘Hobbit’, electric propulsion, smart glass etc., or, if you would like to discuss any of the boats currently under construction, you can call Chris Williams direct on 07963 974793 or email chris@ovationboats.co.uk for a chat.
We currently have one build slot available for 2024 and our project boat ‘Bliss’ is due to be completed in readiness for a season of Summer cruising.