Southampton Boat Show 2019 Preview

Get ready for the 51st Southampton Boat Show

As we write, Mayflower Park in Southampton has been transformed into Britain’s biggest boating extravaganza. Back for its 51st year and backed by new title sponsor Borrow a Boat, this year’s Southampton Boat Show is expected to see 10,000 visitors ‘take to the water’ and explore the shows huge, purpose-built marina and sprawling shoreside spaces. The 10-day show, held Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd September, will see over 500 marine brands exhibiting with a huge array of new boats and equipment. New boats making their worldwide debuts include the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 Flybridge, Rodman 1090 Evolution and the Princess V55. British rowing champion, double Olympic gold medallist and new star of Strictly Come Dancing, James Cracknell OBE, and TV personality and fitness entrepreneur, Lucy Mecklenburgh, will be officially opening the show.

    New features this year include a Rum and Gin Bar and a Seaside Storytime Ship feature for families. Visitors will also be able to climb aboard the tall ship, Shtandart, which is a replica of the 1703 frigate built by Peter the Great. Other activities include Try-a-Dive in a purpose built tank, a remote-controlled sailing pool and stand up paddleboarding taster sessions through Rockley Watersports. The popular recurrent Try-a-Boat feature will be offering visitors free rides aboard various boats, including RIBS and motorboats, which are bookable at the show entrance arena. Departing from the show marina, the passenger boat, Ocean Scene, will once again be offering free mini cruise tours of Southampton Water. There is also a schedule of live music, talks and a silent boat auction planned. Finally at midday on opening day, Sunseeker will be hosting a special public tribute in memory of its company founder, Robert Braithwaite, who passed away this year.

Boat show organiser, British Marine, has once again pledged to make the show as eco friendly as possible and, with various refill points located throughout the show, is encouraging visitors and exhibitors to use re-usable bottles, and urging the removal of all plastic bottles from catering outlets. British Marine also organised a beach clean in Southampton in August to reduce and offset the environmental impact of this show.

The show will open daily from 9:30am-6:30pm and 9:30am-6pm on the last Sunday. Adult standard day tickets are £21 Fri-Sun and £16.50 Mon-Thurs. Children aged 15 years or younger enter for free. For more visitor information visit www.southamptonboatshow.com

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