Scotland’s Boat Show
Friday 13 October to Sunday 15 October 2017 Bigger and better: expansion sees new layout for the UKÕs third-largest boat show
Now in its 31st year, Scotland’s Boat Show is getting bigger and better. Two key changes to layout this year are designed to expand on the success of last year’s ‘Get On The Water’ theme and to encourage more people to get involved in boats and boating for the first time.
As the largest event of its kind in Scotland and the largest brokerage show in the UK, Scotland’s Boat Show 2017 has a record numbers of new exhibitors and a line-up of features and entertainment that will draw thousands of visitors to Kip Marina and Inverclyde.
Expert advice
The first change sees Riverside Inverclyde’s ‘Get On The Water’ pavilion expand to accommodate the new Sika Marine Stage and Theatre – the venue for free presentations and lectures in association with Practical Boat Owner.
On offer will be a series of themes ranging from expert advice on buying a second-hand boat to the Met Office explaining how to cope with heavy weather, and tips on how to inspect your ropes.
Also on hand in the pavilion will be representatives from various owners’ associations and manufacturers who can advise on how to start getting involved in every type water sport from sailing to powerboats, RIBs, jetskis, paddleboards, canoes or even model boats.
Free taster sessions
The other major layout change sees the creation of a bigger ‘on water’ area for the RYA Scotland Free Taster Sessions which allow visitors to try yachts, motor yachts, RIBs, dinghies and paddle boards in the safe environment of Kip Marina.
With more than 350 visitors taking part in the sessions last year, the bigger sailing area, together with RYA Scotland’s new online booking service, aims to significantly increase the number of participants in taster sessions across all age groups and abilities.
For mobility-impaired visitors, Clyde Muirshiel will again be featuring the wheelyboat ‘Discovery’, sailing taster sessions will be available in the accessible Hansa 303 dinghies, while Able2sail, who offer voyages for individuals who are both able-bodied or have disabilities, will have their yacht open for visitors – as will Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.
Bargain boats
Record numbers of high quality preowned boats are predicted by Roseann Sweeney of brokers Michael Schmidt & Partners. ‘We’ll have the UK’s largest display of used boats in one place at Scotland’s Boat Show this year,’ she said.
The show is a great place to see vessels
of all shapes, sizes and prices, as last year’s guest speaker, sailing blogger and PBO contributor Dylan Winter summed up: ‘It’s such a great boat show because there are boats here that I could afford.
‘There’s a boat for £3,100 and a Centaur for £8,500 – I bet I could offer him £6,000 and he’d consider it. And I like the fact that it’s free to everyone.’
Welcome aboard
Another new visitor is the 60ft Clipper Round The World race yacht Taeping, which will be welcoming visitors throughout the show for those wishing a closer view of this magnificent boat and to find out how you can join in one of its future voyages.