new gear

The latest equipment and what to see at the Southampton Boat Show

Marine conservation and the challenges facing the world’s oceans will be the focus of the 2018 Southampton Boat Show as it celebrates its 50th year. Organiser British Marine is pledging to cut the amount of onsite plastics at the 10-day event. Apart from water bottles and cups, there will be no single use plastic available from any of the catering concessions or bars. All fish served on site will be sustainable. There will also be talks from scientific and wildlife experts and on and off the water attractions from the Southampton-based National Oceanography Centre.

The layout of the show has changed for 2018 due to an 8% decrease in space at Solent Park, although the number of brands exhibiting has increased. There will be less static attraction areas and a focus on mobile features, activities and one-off events. The marina is slightly bigger this year, accommodating 32% sail boats and 68% motor boats. One showstopper will be Spirit DH63, the 19.2m yawl making her world debut at the show. There will also be a host of new yachts seen in the UK for the first time. Unlike previous years, all of the bridges onto the pontoons will provide on/off access. Visitors will also have plenty of opportunities to get on the water with Try a Boat and Get Afloat attractions, as well as a canoe obstacle course.

SAVING YOU MONEY ON SHOW ENTRY

Yachting Monthly has partnered with British Marine to offer readers cheaper tickets for the show, which runs from 14-23 September. Until 2359 on 31 August 2018, use the code YM26 to buy two standard any day tickets for £26, a saving of £8 per ticket on the early bird offer. A £1.99 transaction fee applies. Two children under the age of 15 can go free with each adult. Visit the Southampton Boat Show website at www.southamptonboatshow.com for tickets and terms and conditions of the offer.