Testimonials
It's not for just any reason that Boat Showrooms has become one of the UK's leading Motor Cruiser specialists...
Not only do we have an enviable reputation for providing the finest selection of boats but more importantly, this is backed by our exceptional levels of service. That's why many of our customers come back time after time.
We understand that boating is a passion for the majority of our customers - one that involves their friends and their families - so we take great pleasure in assisting all our customers in being able to gain the maximum pleasure from their boating activities.
On this page, we would just like to share with you a selection of the comments we have received from some of our valued customers, many of whom have since become great friends.
Please find below extracts from some of our many testimonial letters received:
Buying a boat from the UK.“After years of searching I found a very nice boat on the Boatshowrooms’ website; a Grand Banks 36 Sedan with low engine hours. They are hard to come by.
I needed assistance with almost everything in connection with transfer of funds, inspecting, decommissioning, sea trial, insurance and transport. It was all handled very professionally by my contact, Colin Watts at Boat Showrooms of Hamble. All e-mails were dealt with in a timely manner, I was also very satisfied with the positive and humorous tone in all our conversations.
If I had tried to do all the work from my base in Norway, I would probably have given up half way through. The choice of boats in the UK is far more we see in Norway and I have therefore recommended many of my friends to look to the UK when they cannot find the right boat in Norway. In particular I have taken the liberty of mentioning Boat Showrooms of Hamble, due to the professional and pleasant way they handling things for me”.
Bjørn Smørsteen, Horten, Norway: Grand Banks 36 sedan
"Colin Watts' help & assistance during the sale of my sister's Grand Banks 36 was simply excellent - over & above the call of duty. He kept the potential buyers happy & progressed the sale forward in spite of some sloppy foot-dragging from the boatyard where the yacht was kept. He finalised all the details of the survey etc totally painlessly & took care of everything down to the final exchange in a thoroughly professional manner.
Colin originally sold the boat new to my late brother-in-law and if I were a boating person, I would look no further than Colin Watts & his team at Boat Showrooms of Hamble to buy or sell a yacht"...
James Thomas: Grand Banks 36
“We have known and dealt with Colin Watts of Boat Showrooms for over 25 years. During that time we have bought three boats from him, sold one and are in the process of selling a second. As Colin would no doubt agree, we are the most demanding of customers. Our requirements on the new boats we have bought have been very detailed with many non-standard requests.
During all our transactions we have been treated with the utmost care and courtesy, with nothing being too much trouble. Above all, we have been looked after in many ways over the years, not just during the nice bits whilst buying a boat, but in the darker days when sometimes not everything goes to plan.
We are passionate boating people, but would not consider buying or selling a boat without close consultation with Colin”…
Lindsay & Carol Baines: Grand Banks Eastbay
“Our visit to the Southampton Boat Show in September 2007 was not with serious intent to purchase a new vessel, however having had a sea trial of the new Grand Banks 59 whilst we were at Southampton , all the benefits over our Hardy 50 were plain to see.
May we thank you for your advice on specification detailing and your continual guidance during the build process for we have a vessel that has given us full satisfaction over the three months of living on her this year. Also your advice regarding the disposal of our Hardy 50 was spot on, in what can only have been a very difficult time for the boating industry during 2008.
Finally it has been refreshing to deal with a person that has no hesitation in taking or returning telephone calls or emails rest assured our next purchase will from Boat Showrooms. Many thanks for your attention”…
Peter & Pip Marnham: Grand Banks 59 Aleutian
"..We just wanted to write to convey our sincere thanks for the excellent hospitality and service that you extended to us throughout the purchase and build of our fantastic new Corvette, 'Soul-Mate'...
We are absolutely thrilled with the boat and the attention to detail with regard to the finish on the boat, both inside and outside is absolutely first class...
Very many thanks for all your help and support throughout the building of this superb boat..."
Joss & Shirley Henderson: Corvette 320
"...Having seen the Grand Banks at previous boat shows, I had always felt that they were outside the 'run-of-the-mill' type most commonly seen and they had a timeless and purposeful look about them.
We were so impressed by your friendly company, that I had no hesitation in placing an order for a Grand Banks 42 Classic, which led us to placing an order for a Grand Banks 46 Classic 6 years later...
After 3 seasons, she has turned out to be everything we wanted..."
Richard Blair: Grand Banks 46 CL
"... We have experienced superb service and have always felt that the commitment to fulfil both buyer and sellers interest has been clearly balanced.
We are currently the proud owners of a 42' Grand Banks Europa and prior to this we owned a 36' Classic. Both these craft were purchased, and in the case of the 36', also sold through Boat Showrooms.
The Boats are first class and Boat Showrooms live up to that standard..."
Colin Wagstaff: Grand Banks 42 EU
"We are currently the pround owners of Grand Banks 42 Motor Yacht, which we bought with the help and experience of the knowledgeable team at Boat Showrooms. They also sold our last boat for us and in both areas we found their service and friendly attitude very refreshing..."
Mitch Dall: Grand Banks 42 MY
"...Just to let you know how delighted we are with our Saga 29... Our satisfaction in this matter is in no small part due to the excellent manner in which you gave every assistance to ensure that the transaction was dealt with as smoothly and stress-free as possible. Wishing you every success for the future!..."
Terry & Mariannick Atkinson: Saga 29
"...I was delighted with the efforts made on my behalf to secure a deal on a not-so-used Grand Banks 46 Classic, which Boat Showrooms had available. Their response and efforts to broker the deal were exceptional and I am now enjoying a superb boat thanks to them..."
David Pearson: Grand Banks 46 CL
"...With little experience of large boats and uncertainty concerning the different types of hull and craft available, I researched the market and took independent advice.
We purchased a Fleming 55 and since taking ownership of that boat in May 2007 we have spent some 400 hours sailing from the UK to Portugal and beyond. I can honestly say that we have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our experience in the purchasing and ownership and sailing of this vessel and we are looking forward to many years sailing to come.
The advice we received from Boat Showrooms in terms of the merits of various vessels on the market, how to carry out our training and eventually providing us with a boat with which we are very happy with was the second to none. Both my wife and I are indebted to Boat Showrooms and the advice we received from Colin Watts in setting us upon what has become a wonderful adventure..."
Mr & Mrs Paul Bliss: Fleming 55
Just wanted to pass on my thanks (and Harvey's!) for the service that we received from you over this recent weekend.
As a COMPLETE novice to boating you will appreciate that it was rather daunting walking into a Marina Sales Office for the first time. However, at no stage did I feel pressured, uneasy or lost. All of my questions were answered and, as indicated on the day, I left your company feeling even more enthused about becoming a boat owner that I did when I was browsing the WWW!
Paul Taylor: Sessa Islamarada