Something for the Weekend

15th & 16th September

The 50th Southampton Boat Show is underway this weekend. Open until the 23rd September, the show takes place in Mayflower Park and has a huge temporary marina hosting approximately 330 boats. Throughout the weekend show visitors will be able to book a free ‘Try a Boat’ ride on a RIB or a motorboat upon entry to the show at West Quay (stand A101). For a second year in a row, the passenger boat, Ocean Scene, will be operating free 20-minute tours of Southampton Water from the show marina. Tours are available from 12 noon or 1pm, until 4pm daily. Out on the pontoons will be the usual array of boats, with several worldwide and UK debuts, such as the Princess R35, Jeanneau Merry Fisher 605 Marlin, Fairline Targa 43 Open and UK debuts from the Italian boat builder Cranchi, including the Z35. New features this year include a Harbourside Gin Festival, with brands such as Silent Pool, Salcombe Gin and Mr Hobbs Gin available at a pop-up garden, with live music and a Gin Lounge with ‘mixology masterclasses’ available (£30.50 each inc. show admission). The 1940s, 46-metre tall ship and film star, the Kaskelot, as well as the research ship, RV Callista, will be welcoming visitors aboard. The RNLI also have a lifeboat on the marina allowing visitors to get aboard and speak to its crew. The show is opening daily 10am-6:30pm and 10am-6pm on the last Sunday. Standard day tickets start at £15.50 for adults, with gate prices £21-£25 depending on the day you visit. Motorboat Owner readers can save up to £12 on gate purchases by booking tickets online. The exclusive ticket offer code, EPTO18JKB9, entitles readers to anyday flexible entry tickets priced at £13 when booking via the Southampton Boat Show website www.southamptonboatshow.com

Elsewhere, on the river Hamble, there are two used boat shows running concurrently alongside the boat show. The south coast broker and boat dealer, Why Boats, will be hosting its fifth Used Boat Show at Deacons Marina at Bursledon. Billed as ‘the largest event of its kind on the south coast’, it will be open daily 9am-6pm and a catalogue of boats for sale is available via the Why Boats website. Premier Marinas will also be hosting its 39th annual Used Boat Show at Swanwick Marina. The show will feature a display of pre-owned boats for sale through the marinas onsite brokerage offices, Ancasta International Boat Sales, Clipper Marine, Princess Motor Yachts, Sea Ventures and Sunseeker Southampton. The event will be open daily from 10am-6pm. Visit www.premiermarinas.com for details

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