Last weekend's UK South Coast Boat Show at Ocean Village Marina, Southampton has been deemed a 'great success' by both organisers and exhibitors, with nearly 700 appointments booked by 500 'serious buyers' over the three-day show.
Over 50 innovative sail and power brands were on display in the water at MDL’s Ocean Village Marina at the weekend, while the land-based exhibition area showcased smaller boats and supporting services such as ancillary gear, finance and insurance.
With its carefully curated selection of boats, the appointment-only show was one of the first boat shows to take place in a physical format since the start of the pandemic.
“The South Coast Boat Show has been a great start to the 2021 boat show season,” says Al Wood from Multihull Solutions. “Our appointments were fully-booked throughout, allowing us to showcase Dragonfly trimarans in a relaxed and exclusive environment.
“While online resources are invaluable, there’s no substitute for spending time onboard. The show has been a great success for us, with a contract signed plus a number of new clients eagerly anticipating exhilarating trial sails. We look forward to returning next year.”
Ancasta International Boat Sales’ marketing director, Will Blair, adds: “It was great to be able to get customers physically back onto boats again after so many months with no boat shows.
“The process to ensure visitors and staff were kept safe worked well and overall it was a successful weekend. The format of the South Coast Boat Show is one that is here to stay, focusing on buyers who appreciate the time and space to really explore their new yachts without queues and distractions.”
Tim Mayer, director of sales and marketing for show organiser MDL Marinas, comments: “We worked closely with local stakeholders to ensure that the show could go ahead in a safe and secure manner. The event taking place, and it’s success, is a big boost to the leisure marine industry and will give confidence to marine companies and the general public that other shows and events planned for later in the year will also be successful.”
Alongside the show’s sponsors, Raymarine, Towergate Insurance and Inspiration Marine, brands which exhibited at the show in Ocean Village Marina’s stunning city-centre location, with its sheltered all tides access and unique Harbour Hotel backdrop included: Arcona Yachts, Axopar, Bavaria, Beneteau power and sail, Broadblue, British Boat Club, Chris-Craft, Cranchi, Discovery, Dragonfly, Dufour Yachts, Elan, Finnmaster, FlexiSail, Fountaine Pajot, Galeon, Galia, Grand Soleil, Hallberg-Rassy, Hanse, J-Boats, Jeanneau power and sail, Najad Yachts, Nautitech Catamarans, Nord Star, Prestige, Princess, Pure Latitude, Sargo, Saxdor, Seakart, Sealine, Sea Ray, Seaward, Solaris and X-Yachts.
Returning to Ocean Village Marina in 2022 for a third time, the South Coast Boat Show will take place on the 6-8 May with more brands, more boats and an upscaled landside area, accommodating additional boating-related exhibitors.
