Published on: 31 July 2023
From charts to charter holidays, paddles to padlocks, deck shoes to decking, watermakers to wildlife preservation and protection, with over 160 stands in Ocean Hall at Southampton International Boat Show, there’s so much to see and do – so here’s a guide to some of the highlights to be found at this year’s show:
A great place to start is at the RYA stand with its publications, courses, and advice on starting or expanding your skills and enjoyment on and off the water, whether you’re under 8 or over 80, they can help you on your boating journey. Sign up to The Green Blue Boating Pledge and enter a prize draw to win a goodie bag of sustainable products and learn about recycled and sustainable boating products from The Green Blue’s online business directory. Discover more about the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project and get hands on making wildflower seed bags to take away and plant at home. Also actively supporting seagrass regeneration, the Hants and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has seagrass on display and visitors can sponsor a seed pod and discover the Solent’s hidden underwater treasures.
Looking to book a holiday? Visit first time exhibitor Undiscovered Sailing, offering exclusive sailing holidays especially designed for British sailors and tourists in the magnificent Masurian District in Poland, famous for its interlocking freshwater lakes, local attractions, pubs with lively music, restaurants, and historical sites. Special show offers include a 15% discount for the first ten bookings confirmed at this year’s show. With its 20 years of experience, Sail Ionian based in Lefkada Greece, has an unrivalled modern and well-maintained charter fleet, now upgraded with new green energy solutions for power management, and many fitted with air conditioning. Along with a free glass of bubbly, Sail Ionian are offering discounts of up to 30% on late season bookings for 2023 and early bookings for 2024, with offers on bareboat, flotilla, crewed charters, and RYA Sea School courses.
Looking to buy or sell a boat? Then pop by the YouBoat stand. This listing website extends beyond the UK into Spain, Italy, Germany, and Turkey and connects boat sellers with buyers. And for all your insurance needs there’s instant quotes available on the GJW stand, where the company will be announcing its partnership with the RNLI. Experts from Pantaenius’ offices are on hand to offer advice, quotes, and money-saving opportunities through its refer-a-friend scheme. Visitors can also meet Geoff Holt MBE, and learn more about the Wetwheels Foundation, Pantaenius’ charity partner, and hear about Geoff’s next great adventure.
Discovering all the latest technology and gadgets is often a key reason to visit the boat show. With Raymarine, CA Clase, Hudson Marine and Cactus all offering an outstanding array of products, services and deals at the show, there are also new products on the Garmin stand. See the newly launched Force Kraken trolling motor, discover the many new features available from Garmin Navionics+ charts and app, and listen to great onboard entertainment from Fusion Audio, as well as experience its array of chartplotters, transducers, fish finders, antennas and sensor for cruising, sailing, freshwater and seawater fishing. On 23 and 24 September, Garmin will also be hosting ambassador John Locker – known as The Fish Locker – on the stand, talking about his passion for sea fishing and the natural world.
If you’re keen to improve air quality and create a healthier environment, then visit the Dometic stand to take part in the “Breathe Fresh” competition to win a cutting-edge Dometic Breath 4500 Ionizer. This state-of-the-are air purification system eliminates pollutants, allergens, and harmful particles from the air you breathe, and transforms any space – indoor or on a boat – into a refreshing oasis of clean, purified air. Also on show will be Dometic’s range of HVAC systems, NRX compressor refrigeration, Oceanair roller blinds, induction cooktops, steering systems, portable cool boxes and drinkware.
Staying cool is the name of the game with TotalCool, exhibiting a range of portable leisure products including air cooling, refrigeration, freezing, power, and solar products that work in unison and are perfect for boats, caravans and motorhomes. New products this year include the Eco-Chill all new thermo-electric system; new portable soft cool box range; TF-Xtreme compressor-driven dual zone fridge/freezer; and portable ice making system.
At Advance Yacht Systems, there’s the first chance to see the new Remoran Wave hydro generators, alongside Paguro generators, Dessalator watermakers, Frigomar air conditioning and Cristec battery chargers and power management equipment.
Exhibiting for the first time, Eco Pro is displaying its range of marine grade dehumidifiers, with its Dryboat DH1200 Desiccant model voted best dehumidifier by Yachting World magazine.
For off-grid adventurers, learn all about Solar Technology International’s new super-smart Mono High Density solar panels, on show for the first time at Southampton International Boat Show. Also see the new flexi ETFE solar panels designed to fit onto a boat hatch or dodger. For a solar powered generator, Solar Green Tech’s generator works indoors and outdoors, rated to IP65 for all-weather use – perfect for off-grid use or as an emergency generator during power cuts.
For those planning long distance cruising, stop by the Global Distribution Solutions (GDS) stand for a complete range of endurance and survivability products, from SUNBEAM solar panels and lithium batteries, Spectra watermakers, high nutrition, long life food products,
UVOJI water purifiers, Lumitec lighting, BRNKL security and monitoring systems and Katadyn’s Survivor watermakers.
Also, essential no matter how far you travel is the ability to maintain communication. MailASail offers Skylink+ for global 4G/cellular and Iridium satellite communications, and Red Box PRO routers, which are handmade in the UK. Manned by members of the Ocean Cruising Club, the MailASail stand is a great place to meet experienced long-distance sailors. Or pop along to the Little Ship Club and meet Little Ship Club President and multiple round the world yachtsman Mike Golding OBE, who will be on the stand to meet and greet fellow sailing enthusiasts. Find out about membership, training courses, sailing opportunities and enter a draw to win a free sailing weekend and 6 or 12 months free membership.
Interested in Ship’s Registry? Head to Island of Guernsey or the Virgin Islands stands to find out more, or if you’re looking for something to read pick up a copy of Sailing Today, Yachts & Yachting Magazine or Classic Boat from The Chelsea Magazine Company stand.
Boat motorhome and caravan interiors can be transformed and updated using new accessories and products. There are new lighting systems from Marine Lighting Store, with its range of interior, exterior, underwater lighting, electrical items, and accessories. Or for the latest in Italian styling, visit Penguin Engineering to see its new range of marine quality taps and showers, Barka sinks, ATI calorifiers, Teak Wonder and Atlas water filtration systems, alongside ENO and Force 10 marine cookers. Carrying a full range of spares, Penguin will deliver direct from its locally based premises. A fresh new look for the popular Timage stand highlights a number of new products including the new UK Amalfi Directors ChairPuro water purifiers, Italvipla fabrics and a completely dedicated area for luxury yacht accessories from Besenzoni.
Buying boating bedding, upholstery and accessories is super-easy thanks to regular show exhibitors Ship Shape Bedding. Now in its 12th year at the show, the company will be displaying its full range of mattresses which are available to try out on the stand, alongside shaped bedding and accessories including its best-selling DRY-Mat Anti-Condensation underlay, unbreakable galley ware, bedding, and upholstery at special boat show prices.
Chandlery and marine accessories can be found on numerous stands throughout Ocean Hall. There are plenty of new products on the IMP stand with its extensive range of well-known brands including Ronstan, BCM, Actisense, Scout, Lopolight and Shadowcaster with everything from winches to cleats and underwater lighting on display.
For all your rigging needs – whether for racing, long distance cruising, replacement of running rigging or hydraulics service – Advanced Rigging and Hydraulics experts are on hand with years of advice and quality products from BSI, Navtec, OYS and Reckmann reefing and furling systems. Rigging needs sails, and there’s plenty of choice from Rolly Tasker with its popular Sveggen Furler for code C and asymmetric sails, as well as Crusader Sails, Ullman Sails and Jeckells of Wroxham, amongst others.
When looking at decking options, there’s a brand-new British design and manufactured option on display for the first time from Elite Teake; or visit Sykes Timber to learn about its sustainably sourced, responsibly harvested, and traded FLEGT certified Java Teak and other prime timber products including prime walnut, oak and specialist softwoods.
For keeping the inside and outside of your boat fresh and clean, pop by the Marine Hygiene stand for innovative and effective eco-friendly boat cleaning products.
Angelwax is hosting the worldwide launch of a new range of British-made marine products to maintain that ‘brand new’ look. Angelwax’s Ark Marine detailing products are formulated, designed, and manufactured in Scotland and offer interior and exterior ceramic cleaning and finishing products, polishing compounds, sprays and coatings for every surface.
Marine Components International will be showcasing a range of new products including the launch of the TEMO 100 electric outboard. Innovative and lightweight, it’s comparable to a 2HP outboard and weighs just under 5kg. Visitors can enter a competition run in conjunction with the Cruising Association to win a TEMO 450 electric outboard. Also on show is the Revolve-Tec Rollable boat hook, and products including Bennett trim tabs, Calypso solid-state wind instruments, Lasdrop shaft seals, Rocna anchors and Groco solid bronze marine hardware.
With all this to see and do, there are also plenty of opportunities to sit and relax in and around Ocean Hall, either listening to the wide variety of talks on the Foredeck Stage, or enjoying a refreshing hot or cold drink, a tasty snack or delicious sweet offerings from the variety of food outlets close by.
Get your ticket
Tickets for the Boat Show can be purchased online at www.southamptonboatshow.com/visitor-information/tickets/
Upgrade your visit with the new and exclusive Quayside Club VIP package at www.southamptonboatshow.com/vip/
The show is open from 10am – 6pm daily except the final Sunday when the show will close at 5pm.
