Boat shows 2019
Peter Poland looks forward to this season's regional boat show scene
Peter Poland looks forward to this season’s burgeoning regional boat show scene showing more boats than ever closer to where you live
Thanks to the cancellation of the London Boat Show and the dominance of Boot Düsseldorf, there’s now a gaping hole at the beginning of the UK boating year. It has been reported that 88% of companies on the British Marine Showcase stand at Düsseldorf in 2019 were first-time exhibitors, while across the whole event over 45% of British exhibitors were new to the show. What’s more, visiting Brits represented an increased proportion of Düsseldorf’s 250,000 visitors.
So the London Boat Show may be history, but if they don’t fly to Düsseldorf, how will British sailors now get their pre-season ‘boating fix’ and plan for the year ahead?
The answer could lie with the UK’s regional boat shows, which have always played an important part in the British boating scene. Yet these have also seen cancellations: notably Beaulieu Boatjumble and Beale Park, neither of which will be happening in 2019.
So there is now a unique opportunity for an existing regional show, or indeed a brand new set of shows, to flourish and grow. Most of the regional shows listed here run for two or three days over a weekend. They offer families a cheap
(often free) day out and the chance to look at new equipment and boats. Some also display used boats for sale. Major builders such as Beneteau and Jeanneau are able to make use of their local dealers, and smaller builders also display their wares.
What’s on?
The inaugural Thames Valley & London Boat Show, held from 12-14 April, takes place at Penton Hook Marina in Chertsey. Show organisers say there are ‘over 20 new boat brands available to view’ including Sealine, Jeanneau, Cranchi, Glastron, Bayliner, Alfastreet & Orkney plus many more. Being a riverside marina, many are likely to be motorboats.
There will also be a range of marine merchandise and services on show as well as finance companies to help boat buyers get the best deal. Entry to the show is free and details can be found on mdlmarinas. co.uk/news/thames-valley-boat-show On 27-28 April, the Chichester Marina Boat Show & Watersports Festival comes to Premier’s Chichester Marina for the second time. A wide variety of new and used yachts will be on display. Leading sales and brokerage company Ancasta will exhibit models from the Beneteau sail, power and catamaran ranges and Tillie Brown (tilliebrown@ ancasta.com) will be able to confirm which models nearer the date. Blackrock Yachting will be showing models from the Jeanneau range as well as RIBs from BRIG while the Sussex Boat Shop displays boats from the successful Parker and Oki ranges.
In addition to new and used boats, the show also includes other products and services, advice and assistance from the local RYA training centre and talks in the ‘Meet the Experts’ tent. To get the full story, visit premiermarinas.com Also on 27-28 April, the new Kip Marina Spring Boat Show gives Scottish sailors the chance to gear up for the new season. Roseann Sweeney of brokers Michael Schmidt & Partners (MS&P) said: “The
weekend is run in conjunction with MS&P’s regular Spring Brokerage event after visitor and exhibitor surveys during Scotland’s Boat Show last year showed a big demand for an extra event earlier in the year, helping compensate for the loss of the London show.”
In addition to new and brokerage boats, there will be a large marquee housing 20 marine companies as well as outside stands featuring RIBs, outboards etc. To get exhibitor updates, see kipmarina.co.uk Moving down the coast, the 6th All Wales Boat and Leisure Show will be held at the Anglesey Showground on the island of Anglesey from 30 May to 1 June. Organiser Davina Carey-Evans told me confirmed exhibitors include Dolfor, Quicksilver, Vanguard, Selva, Fjordstar, Orkney, Finnmaster, Robalo, Chaparral, Husky, Capelli RIBS, Spectre, Yamaha, Sea-Doo, Johnson Evinrude, Oki Boats and Parker. There’s also a wide range of events and activities in which visitors can ‘have a go.’ For full details, go to allwalesboatshow.com The Northern Boat Show held in Liverpool’s Salthouse Dock runs from 31 May to 2 June and forms part of the Mersey River Festival. A selection of canal boats, sail and powerboats will be on display. Event director Richard Milbourn, who is also involved with the Western Boat Show held in Bristol at Hanover Quay as part of the Bristol Harbour Festival from 19-21 July, told me there will be new and used boats at both shows.
“Second-hand boats were only added to both shows last year and proved very popular. It is clear that visitors have different budgets and want to view a variety of boats and prices. At Liverpool, Bluepoint Marine displayed second-hand boats, as did Channel Yacht Sales at Bristol. Plans are afoot to increase these numbers in 2019 to meet demand.”
Check the websites for details of boats on show and to get free pontoon passes at northernboatshow.co.uk and westernboatshow.co.uk The inaugural South Coast Boat Show at Ocean Village, Southampton, from 17-19 May is another brand new event to consider. There should be around 60 boats to view from 20ft to 60ft. Exhibitors include Arcona Yachts, Axopar, Bavaria, Beneteau, Dehler, Dragonfly, Dufour, Elan, Fjord, Fleming, Fountaine Pajot, Galeon, Hallberg-Rassy, Hanse, J-Boats, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Marlin, Najad, Nautitech, Ocqueteau, Rhea, Saga Yachts, Sargo, X-Yachts ... and many more. Entrance is free but visitors need to register at southcoastboatshow.com The Poole Harbour Boat Show, 7-9 June, is in its fifth year and attracts around 30,000 visitors. Organisers say the three-day extravaganza will ‘bring together a spectacular showcase of yachts and motor cruisers, tall ships, marine equipment, water sports gear and clothing, with taster sessions, live music and fireworks to keep the whole family entertained.’ What’s more it’s free. Details from pooleharbourboatshow.co.uk For those likely to be on the Isle of Wight on 11-12 May, the British Marine-assisted Fun On The Water weekend at Cowes Yacht Haven is promising new Jeanneaus and RIBs on display, plus plenty of other activities on offer. You can find out more on the Fun On The Water page on Facebook and Twitter.