Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
HomeBoating NewsBoat BriefSOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW; Britain’s biggest boating festival

SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW; Britain’s biggest boating festival

Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

In September 2023, Andrew Howard enjoyed his second boat show of the northern summer.

Nominated for British Yachting Awards ‘Event of the Year’ for 2023, the Southampton Boat Show (15-24 September) was huge, with over 320 vessels of all shapes and sizes anchoring this large, expansive boat show in 2023.

This annual show is nowadays more than just about the boats and includes water sports activities, presentations from intrepid explorers, live music – and the most recent show even featured ‘Captain Sandy’ from the TV show Below Deck.

The WWI torpedo boat replica 4R based on a Coastal Motorboat.

What I loved about this show was that there was something for everyone: majestic motorboats; beautiful ocean cruising sailing boats; old naval vessels; a vast array of trailer boats; and lots of chandlery.

Southampton is Britain’s biggest boating festival, and it’s easy to see why. The sheer scale must be seen to be fully appreciated and is matched by the amount of organisation behind the scenes, which involves constructing a temporary marina, erecting a massive ‘ocean hall’ and installing a boulevard of stands and activities from the main entrance at West Quay Shopping Centre down to Mayflower Park, including a temporary footbridge over the busy road.

The show is open for nine days and is such an exciting, fun place to be. It was the most interactive boat show I have ever been to, and it felt celebratory in atmosphere, although nothing specific was being celebrated other than doing things on the water!

Indoor displays abounded

The ‘Foredeck’ featured an endless number of presenters to watch and learn from. Some highlights included ‘How to pass your Yachtmaster’, ‘VHF radio etiquette’ and ‘Sailing with Spinnakers’. Really practical stuff that many current and potential boat owners could learn from.

At the ‘On the Water’ zone, visitors could try out singlehanded dinghies, kayaks, paddleboards, and a Sun Odyssey 349. There was even a show-wide treasure hunt (for the kids, you understand…) plus knot-tying, face-painting, flyboard and jetski jumping demonstrations.

Classic wooden boats on display

The range of chandlers, sail makers, hardware, flooring, and service operators at the show was immense – well worth spending the time to check out. There was undoubtedly a wider range of options available than you’d typically see at a boat show.

For me, the number of smaller boat options was a highlight. Both motor and sailing boats appealed, including Cornish Crabbers and examples from Welsh boat manufacturer Swallow Yachts, which offer a classic look with modern performance, thanks to carbon masts and water ballast solutions.

The new Sunseeker Superhawk 55 was on display, and it is a breathtaking vessel. In time, it will likely become a global icon in the fast-cruiser market. It is a design that oozes performance and – to my mind – harks back to the stunning Sunseeker designs of old, many of which featured in James Bond movies.

The Sunseeker Superhawk 55 impressed

On the day we visited the show, a replica of a WW1 torpedo boat joined the show. Part of the Imperial War Museum collection, this 40ft vessel is a long, sleek craft that provided very little protection to its crew other than speed. It could reach up to 40 knots and was used to attack many large ships during WW1. The torpedo boat was one of many historic vessels on display – great to see maritime history feature as such an essential part of this boat show.

The Southampton Boat Show is superb – well worth the visit for the whole family. With so much to see, this is an excellent place to begin your boat search, even if you are looking for something a little different. BNZ

The new Pardo 45 debuted in the UK

 

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

Bluebridge Ferry Incident: Str...

In a dramatic turn of events, Bluebridge’s Connemara ferry collided with Pi...
Boating NewsIncidents at SeaNews

Back to the Future: J Class Jo...

A New Age The AC75s of the America’s Cup deliver no shortage of jaw-dropp...
AC37Boat WorldSport

Coastguard Taranaki Earns Four...

Coastguard Taranaki’s unwavering dedication to maritime safety has been rec...
News Bites

AC37 Regatta: A Taste Of Thing...

The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup officially started in sunny Barcelona ...
AC37FeaturesLouis Vuitton Cup

Sailing Away: The Brett Bakewe...

Bakewell-White’s boating story begins with his grandfather, the late Richar...
FeaturesOctober 2024Reflections

Exclusive offer celebrates new...

The first Dufour 44 in Asia Pacific will land in October, and The Yacht Sal...
2024Boat BusinessBoating News

ARE YOU STAYING CONNECTED WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS SHAPING NEW ZEALAND'S BOATING WORLD?

Join Our
Weekly Newsletter

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Bluebridge Ferry Incident: Strong Winds Cause Damage at Picton Wharf

In a dramatic turn of events, Bluebridge’s Connemara ferry collided with Picton's wharf during a ber...
Boating NewsIncidents at SeaNews

Back to the Future: J Class Joins AC75 & AC40 Fleets in Barcelona

A New Age The AC75s of the America’s Cup deliver no shortage of jaw-dropping action. And the AC40s...
AC37Boat WorldSport

Coastguard Taranaki Earns Four Nominations in 2024 Coastguard New Zealand Volunteer Awards

Coastguard Taranaki’s unwavering dedication to maritime safety has been recognised in a remarkable w...
News Bites

AC37 Regatta: A Taste Of Things To Come

The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup officially started in sunny Barcelona with the third and final ...
AC37FeaturesLouis Vuitton Cup

Sailing Away: The Brett Bakewell-White Story

Bakewell-White’s boating story begins with his grandfather, the late Richard (Dick) Bakewell. A lif...
FeaturesOctober 2024Reflections

Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, happening from 22 Aug to 27 Oct 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

COMING EVENTS

Waka Ama - 2024 Long Distance Nationals, 3 - 6 Oct 2024 at Oneroa (Midway Beach) Gisborne

Lake Brunner Classic Boats Get Together, 11 - 13 Oct 2024 at Moana

Whangārei Maritime Festival, 12 - 13 Oct 2024 at the Whangārei Town Basin

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 22 - 26 Oct 2024 on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 27 Oct 2024 at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 8 - 10 Nov 2024 Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

NZ Match Racing Championships, 14 - 17 Nov 2024 in Auckland

Bay of Islands Cruiser's Festival, 20 - 23 Nov 2024 at Bay of Islands Marina, Opua

Extreme Boats Fishing Tournament, 29 & 30 Nov 2024 in Whitianga

Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta, 30 Nov - 1 Dec 2024 at Torbay Sailing Club

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2024 starts in Sydney, Australia

Waka Ama - 2025 National Sprint Championships, 12 - 18 Jan 2025 at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge

The New Zealand Sailing Trust 5 Day Sail, 13 - 17 Jan 2025 starting in Auckland

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 in Auckland

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

NZ Millenium Cup, 1 - 4 Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Waka Ama - 2025 Secondary School Nationals, 24 - 28 Mar 2025 at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 March 2025 at Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

ADVENTURES AT SEA

The Norwoods World Tour

Stone Town, Zanzibar Aug 2024

This is the (liberal) English translation of an old Norwegian classic. And annoyingly, this ear-worm...
Features

Gods And Goats, Not All What They’re Hyped Up To Be

I’m not privy to the details of what my sister said in her prayer to Thor with regards to the weathe...
The Norwoods World Tour

When A Series Of Unfortunate Events Force An Unexpected U-Turn

Saturday a week ago we went to drop off a rental car we had hired to take my sister back to the airp...
One Family’s Boating Journey

One Family’s Boating Journey; That sinking feeling

What a shocking end to our summer! We never saw this plot twister coming!
One Family’s Boating Journey

One Family’s Boating Journey: Life lessons

As our two boys, Rafe and Chris, have discovered when you’re living onboard, life will throw you cur...

NEWS TIPS?
Send your photos, videos, stories, and tip-offs to ahoy@boatingnz.co.nz or call us on 022-023-7507.

BOATS FOR SALE