SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW

Southampton set to Shine

The UK’s largest boat show is set to return in September with another impressive selection of boats and kit, along with numerous attractions to entertain even the youngest boaters in your family.

Visitors to this year’s much anticipated Southampton International Boat Show will be able to see sailing yachts of every size and shape including world debuts, UK premieres and award-winning designs. Together with the return of some of the most popular models from British and international boat builders, the show is again the place to see, try and buy the yacht of your dreams.

Moored in Europe’s largest man-made marina, created especially for the event, you will be able to stroll along the pontoons and compare the different styles, designs and sizes of craft from many of the world’s leading yacht manufacturers.

British Marine CEO, Lesley Robinson, said: “Southampton International Boat Show is exactly that – a world-leading boat show – and our success relies upon having the major manufacturers from all over the world represented in our event. We are delighted that so many companies have chosen Southampton as the venue for the world premieres of their new designs.”

One of those exhibiting this year is British shipyard Discovery, who will be showing the Discovery 485 (pictured below) alongside a walk-in scale model of the interior of the new Southerly 42.

Oliver Hayes, marketing manager at Discovery Shipyard, said: “The Southampton International Boat Show is our home show. It enables us to showcase our yachts and demonstrate the best of British yacht building. Due to the size of the show, it offers fantastic brand awareness, not only to the UK but the international markets as well.”

European yachts

Mainland Europe remains a key source of sailing yachts into the UK, as shown by the wide choice and variety of yachts available to UK customers at the Southampton Boat Show.

Manufactured in Holland, Contest Yachts, for example, will be showing its award-winning 17m blue-water cruiser, 55CS, at the show. This yacht was the winner of both the Luxury Cruiser category at the European Yacht of the Year 2021 awards, and the Blue Water Cruiser category in the 2020 British Yachting Awards.

French manufacturer Beneteau, meanwhile, will have fi ve models on show, including the fi rst chance to see the new Oceanis 40.1 and the Oceanis 54.

With large yachts moored alongside weekend cruisers, day boats and racers, French designer and builder Jeanneau will have something for everyone on its stand. The 33ft Sun Fast 3300 is world-renowned for its racing, whether around the cans or competing in long-distance IRC races such as the Fastnet.

“The British market is one of the most important, and we have a huge fl eet of Sun Fast 3300s sailing in the Solent,” said Antoine Chancelier of Jeanneau and Prestige.

The company will also be showing its Sun Odyssey ranges, in sizes from 35ft to 44ft. Each model offers different options designed to suit every type of use, from a lifting keel to light and spacious interiors, and innovative deck designs.

First Looks

Moving along the pontoons, visitors can also see the new Dufour 470, which makes its debut at the show. With its modernised, contemporary design and upwind and downwind performance, the Dufour 470 (pictured right) is available in three models – Easy, Ocean and Performance. This craft will be on show alongside her smaller sisters, the Dufour 430, 390 and the Dufour 360.

Making her world premiere at the show as well is the Salona 46. This short-handed, long distance performance cruiser is aimed at couples seeking an extended period of comfortable passage making, a trend which is increasing in this country.

Always popular in the UK market, Clipper Marine will be displaying its range of Bavaria’s Category A sailing yachts at Southampton – all capable of the most extreme trans-ocean conditions.

With nine models on show from Dehler, Moody and Hanse, the Inspiration Marine Group emphasises that the Southampton Boat Show is the most important event in its calendar.

“Not only can we showcase the latest models and innovations from our award-winning brands, but also introduce the customers of the future to boating in a fun and interesting setting,” explained director Phil Dollin.

The UK premiere of the Dehler 38SQ will take place at the show, alongside the launch of the new Moody DS41. In addition, six Hanse yachts – from the Hanse 348 to the Hanse 588 – will be lined up at the show, giving visitors a fantastic opportunity to compare and contrast the range.

World-renowned Swedish boat builder HallbergRassy has chosen Southampton International Boat Show as the venue for the international premiere of the Hallberg-Rassy 400.

“This will be a very important model in a very competitive sector of the European market,” said Jeremy Mason of Transworld Yachts. “Hallberg-Rassy have been building exceptional cruising yachts on the west coast of Sweden for over 75 years and we have been their UK representatives at Hamble since 1985.”

Spoilt for choice

So whether it is a racing yacht, a weekend get-away cruiser or the ultimate ocean-crossing home for a long-distance adventure, the marina and stands at September’s Southampton International Boat Show will be brimming with sail boats of every shape, size and price range.

Visitors will be able to talk to experts, compare craft and feel confi dent in having made the right decision through the huge variety of boats on show.

So, as excitement builds for the show, you can register for all the show news and be one of the fi rst to know when tickets go on sale.

www.southamptonboatshow.com Date: 10 - 19 September

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