The International Southampton Boat Show is the third presented show in a row on this blog. That’s because September is the busiest month for yacht lovers. As you maybe know, the London International Boat Show was canceled a few years ago, so what happened there, in London, was moved to Southampton with the great advantage of having the sea closer. Now, in 2019, the show takes place between 13-22 September in Mayflower Park, Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2AQ, UK. Their motto is “Indulge your passions, just add water!”, and they repeat this “just add water” stuff after every title on their website. I used to have the maps app on my website as well, but it’s too consuming, so, you have to use your widgets to go there.
Southampton Boat Show – Sporty Activities
[source for all pics: https://www.southamptonboatshow.com]
Southampton Boat Show 2019 – Main Attractions
The advertisers claim that no matter if you are a seasoned sailor or a first-timer, you’ll find exactly what you want at the show because, in the over 500 brands present on the exhibitor’s list, you can choose between a paddleboard and a superyacht. Cute, isn’t it?
There are a lot of attractions, but you have to go there to find them out because on the show’s website they are presented in a very click baitish style. You see the “Festival Green Scene”, for example, which must be something related to a stage show, music, speeches, whatever. You have a picture for that, with a hippie keeping a microphone. You click, of course… You found the next four lines:
“Entertainment is central to the Boat Show and the Festival Green Stage will host some top quality tribute acts, music from around the world and guest appearances. The Festival Green Stage area is next to our main catering area- so you can relax with a cool Guinness or a tasty burger whilst enjoying the entertainment!”
Believe me, this is the second day of the show, but except some OBE British former athlete, a highly honored guest to the so-called “Festival Green Stage”, you are given no other info.
That was just an example, otherwise, you can presume on your own that there must be more than what you are shown. The website is powered by a certain agency, so I perfectly understand its high Alexa Ranking corroborate with a certain scarcity of information. So, you can find the following attraction poles:
- “Borrow a Boat Presents”, which must be an activity organized by Southampton Boat Show main sponsor. There is more than one…
- “Shtandart Tall Ship”, which is exactly what they say, an old frigate called Shtandart,
- “Dive with Andark”,
- “Get afloat with Rockley Watersports”,
- “Radio Sailing” in a pool, which seems something very nice,
- “Rum & Gin Bar”,
- “Ocean Scene Minicruise”, which is a cruise around Southampton on a vessel, and it’s FREE,
- “Guinness Bar”, where you’ll have the famous Irish Dark Beer,
- “Gipsy Moth IV”, which is the vessel that Sir Francis Chichester used to be the first person to solo circumnavigate the globe in 1966/67 at the age of 65[sic]. I don’t know if you are invited to take a tour around with her, or only to visit the ship in the Marina.
- “British Ocean Racing skipper Pip Hare and her boat Superbigou”,
- “Owners Associations Boats” – meaning that you can visit in the Marina “a variety of boats manned by members of five long-established UK owners associations who will be on hand to promote their activities to both their existing membership and a wider boating audience.” The prestigious guilds are Hunter Association, Broom Owners Club, Nicholson 32 Association, Old Gaffers Association, and Westerly Owners Association.
- “Speakers at the Foredeck Stage” – meaning – and now I let all the irony aside – that you have the great honor to hear the spoken words from some of the most famous authors of the yachting field. Hat off for:
Tom Cunliffe
Legendary yachtsman, columnist, author, radio & TV presenter.
Stokey Woodall
Adventurous ocean voyager & celebrated celestial navigator.
Exhibited Boat
Sam Llewellyn
Novelist, columnist and connoisseur of the derelict!
Dave Selby
Columnist, author & campaigning ‘boating on a budget’ evangelist.
Rod Heikell
Author of the world’s most popular pilot books & harbour guides.
Max Liberson
Ex fisherman, sailing adventurer, motor cycle courier & master of boating on shoestring.
Ben Sutcliffe-Davies
Columnist, YDSA marine surveyor & time served boat builder.
Peter Poland
30 years a boat builder, now a successful PR consultant & columnist.
Kate Fortnam
Campaigner Manager at The Green Blue, the joint environment program created by the RYA & British Marine
Tim Pyne
Celebrated architect, mono-hull & catamaran ocean voyager and older dad.
Dick Durham
Veteran sailing journalist, author, and upholder of maritime traditions.
Tony Curphey
Retired lorry driver is the oldest sailor to complete solo non-stop circumnavigation.
Duncan Wells
Boating columnist, author, instructor, training video producer and creator of MOB lifesaving devices.
- “Flyboard Displays”
- “The Spectacular Marina” – FREE to access for all Southampton Boat Show visitors
- “Seaside Story time” – readings on the board of Shtandart, the pirate ship:
Somebody Swallowed Stanley by Sarah Roberts and Hannah Peck
The Secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd Stanton
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies
Tiddler by Julia Donaldson - “TheYachtMarket.com Champagne and Seafood Bar” – self explanatory, delicious,
- “The Quarterdeck Club” – catering solutions which you enjoy most if you have purchased a VIP package,
- “Man over board displays with Duncan Wells”
- “Family Fun” – something for everybody,
- “Discovery Deck” – this must be very cool, check them out:
FREE Virtual Sailing
FREE Boat Simulator
Nautical Jargon Buster
The Knot Game
How to get out on the water!
The Green Blue Marine Sustainability
Careers in the Leisure Marine Industry - “Food & Drink” – Along the Rum & Gin Bar, the Guinness Bar, TheYachtMarket.com Champagne & Seafood Bar, and The Quarterdeck Club, you have also a choice of Gourmet Street Food, Hot Dogs, Licalix, Kuka and Warung Asia.
The Guinness Bar
Marina Entrance
TheYachtMarket.com Champagne & Seafood Bar
2018 Round Up Trailer
Tickets
To buy tickets for Southampton Boat Show 2019, call 0844 874 0705 (calls cost 7p per minute plus network extras), or enter on their website.
ADULT
Any One Day £ 22.00 (online)
Monday to Thursday £ 16.50 (online)
£ 23.00 (gate)
Friday to Sunday £ 21.00 (online)
£ 27.00 (gate)
Concessions £ 13.50 (online)
£ 15.50 (gate)
Two-day ticket £ 30.00 (online only)
Group 10+ (Mon-Thurs) £ 13.50 (online)
£ 15.50 (gate)
Group 10+ (Fri-Sun) £ 18.00 (online)
£ 20.00 (gate)
CHILD
Ages 15 and under £ Free
Additional child £ 10.00 (online)
£ 12.50 (gate)
Final Words
During the London Boat Show, a few years ago, I wrote two articles about it. Now, after it moved south, I have discovered that the Southampton Boat Show is by far the best British event in the industry. I haven’t mentioned yet how many world premieres will take place there, but this is for you to discover.
If you like what you read, please subscribe to this blog by completing the form. If you want to help more, start by following us on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook. You don’t know what good things may happen. To lighten your day, check our pins on Pinterest, we can be friends there too. Oh, and if you need a really good looking blog attached to your site, or just for fun, to express your feelings more competitively, read this Own Your Website offer! Thank you very much.
