Celebrating over 50 years, Britain’s biggest and best boating marvel, Southampton International Boat Show returns this year for the 51st time. The show promises bigger and better boats, stands, demos and even activities to do! For the first year, dogs are also welcome during off-peak times.
Showcasing over 600 global marine brands including the finest yachts with the ultimate onboard technology, alongside kayaks, paddleboard and sailing dinghies. We headed to Southampton for the day to check out the show’s offering. And to see how marine life is fun for everybody.
Southampton Boat Show sponsors
With headline sponsors Borrow a Boat opening the show with informative talks, competitions to win a boating holiday and showcasing their new product launch. This appearing as the constant theme throughout the entire show. With many world exclusives from some of the brands showcasing their boats at the show.
Most notable the Sunseeker Predator 60 Evo, which was the standout must-have for me. Coming in at a cool £1.1m (excl VAT) this yacht boasts an impressively sleek interior design. With a sporty yet sleek look and feel around the boat, the design emits pure luxury. Designed for pure luxury while cruising the Predator 60 Evo also performs well with speeds of up to 32 knots. And a range of up to 220 nautical miles. Sleeping 6 plus one crew the 60 is powered by a choice of Twin Volvo Penta options.
The standout stand from the show was the Rib Eye stand. Totally Instagrammable this brand, which launched in 1998, is making waves with their design and craftsmanship of Premium and Family Ribs. New to the show was the world exclusive of the Performance Super Yacht Tendors the New Ribeye A811.
Purpose-built Marina
Not only is the show the perfect opportunity to check out new product launches. But there’s also a purpose-built marina built for the show. Which births over 700 different boats including the Gipsy Moth IV. The boat commissioned by Sir Francis Chichester to sail single-handedly around the world racing times of the 19th-century clipper ships.
Other notable boats in the marina include Pip Hare’s Yacht. A determined, strong female looking to compete in the Vendee Globe round the world race.
There is also the Global Challenge Experience and a chance to see Challenger I, part of the Tall Ships Race. If you’re not familiar with the Tall Ships Youth Trust. They’re the oldest and largest sail training charity. The Challenge is a 1,675 nautical mile relay-style voyage around the UK with a total of 60 young people.
The Challenge sees 6 groups of 10 young people, from all walks of life, each taking part in one leg of the voyage around the UK. The young people, aged 12 – 25, will be responsible for everything on board. From cooking and cleaning to steering and learning to read charts.
See history before your eyes
Another notable boat to explore is the Shtandart Ship. The frigate ‘Shtandart’ is a full-size replica of a ‘man’o’war’ and was the flagship of the first Russian Baltic fleet. Purpose-built in 1999, interestingly no actual plans of the original Shtandart actually survived.
However, coincidentally an experienced naval historian, Victor Krainyukov, had been commissioned in 1987 by the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg to find out everything possible about this ship.
Victor extensively researched Russian archives and records. He also gleaned information about ship design and construction from Dutch, French and British authors of the time. He also found an 18th-century engraving which showed the Shtandart in naval action. The boat is made from larch and has ornate carvings for decoration all around.
Another birth you should visit is the Try-a-Boat stand which is supporting the charity Wetwheels. The charity builds disabled people’s confidence by providing the opportunity to access the sea in a fun, safe, stimulating and rewarding way. Using specially modified, fully accessible powerboats.
To raise awareness of the charity Try-A-Boat offers FREE opportunities to get onboard and glide through the waters in a high-speed RIB or float across the Solent under sail. Perfect for everyone from bold beginners to sailing veterans, potential buyers or families just looking for an adventure. You can book early on the day you visit (by the show entrance) to ensure you don’t miss out.
If you’re looking for second hand narrow boats for sale you can also find them here.
Short Mini Cruise
Fancy a Mini Cruise? Then head to Ocean Scene which is the Show’s very own mini cruise ship. Departing the marina twice an hour for a 20-minute cruise. The Ocean Scene takes you for a mini cruise around Southampton International Boat Show. See the show from a different angle and enjoy the sundeck and bars. This is a free of charge attraction.
If you’re looking for other ways to get on the water there are opportunities with Get Afloat with Rockley to try dinghy sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding. And for the first time at the Show, bell boating all free of charge. Or perhaps you fancy donning a wetsuit then Try-A-Dive with Andark. In this free experience where wetsuits and diving equipment are provided. Submerse yourself in the 6mx13m tank which is surrounded by digital screens featuring underwater creatures. The dive tank is as close to the real thing as you can get!
Retail therapy (buy you and your boat something nice)
Once you’ve finished exploring the marina, trying your hand at riding the ribs, kayaking and diving head into Ocean Hall for a little bit of retail therapy (that’s if you haven’t already purchased a boat!). With brands, you’ll know and love such as Sketchers, Lazy Jacks, Joules and more. You’ll also have the chance to discover new brands too. From clothing to boat parts, you’ll find all you need (and things you never knew you needed) in the Ocean Hall.
All that exploring will undoubtedly have you feeling hungry. The show offers a plethora of places to eat and drink including; the Gin and Rum bar, The Guinness Bar and food stands, The Champagne and Seafood Bar, as well as other food, stands around the show. If you’re looking for exclusive treatment, head to the Hospitality Lounge for a relaxed disconnect with beer, wine and snacks included from Kuti’s Hospitality.
Festival Green Stage
Not content with just boats, shopping or hands-on activities Southampton Boat Show brings you the Festival Green Stage. Hosting some top quality tribute acts, music from around the world and guest appearances including Q& A sessions from James Cracknell, Pip Hare and Loris Patterson.
The show entrance is open to the general public for free which includes the Discovery Deck with brand showcases, free boat simulators, jargon busters, a knot game and Radio Sailing. Which is a chance to have a short race or set a time around our course to see how you measure up to other sailors at the show. Hugely popular with children and adults alike. If you wish to explore more of the show tickets are essential.
There is so much going on at Southampton Boat Show. You’ll certainly not be short of things to do all day, and of course, the following day if you don’t get round to seeing everything in one day. The show is on until 22nd September. You can get discount Southampton Boat Show tickets with my code EB27 here. Get 2 day tickets for £27 for the pair instead of £22 per person.
