Yachting Monthly – September 2019

The Southampton Boat Show, held every
year in Mayflower Park and its temporary
marina, still attracts swathes of visitors and
industry big names. It has long been seen
as the show with a great atmosphere,
particularly if the UK is still enjoying good
weather in September – not always a given.
The show has grown over the years, slowly
taking more space in Mayflower Park and
has now more or less reached the full extent
of the land availed there. A real boon,
however, is the purpose-built marina, on
which many boats are displayed, as it is
effectively, endlessly expandable.
Happily, the on-the-water area of the show
is increasingly in demand for stand holders
so growth should not be an issue any time
soon. ‘We have seen a number of stand
holders looking to move to the marina area
in recent years,’ explains Annabel Burrow
PR and communications manager at British

Marine who organise the show. ‘There are

always going to be those who want to remain

ashore and for who it suits to be ashore, but

certainly some brands are now starting to

take bigger spaces on the marina.’

One such brand is Beneteau who, for the

2019 edition have taken a large section of

the marina. In addition to showing a range

of boats on the water it will also have a

larger guest area and a more traditionally

land-based stand feel. The famous French

marque will be bringing a multitude of boats

to this year’s show including the new twin-

rudder ‘entry level’ Oceanis 30.1. There are

many other new launches at the show this

year too, see the August issue of Yachting

Monthly for more details.

The expansion of the marina has also

enabled organisers to include more try-a-

boat berths, to fit around an ongoing aim

to increase the sport’s inclusivity. It is an

on-water boat show, after all, so it makes

sense for more visitors to have the chance

to get afloat.

The increased focus on on-the-water

activities does not end at the pontoons,

however. The Mayflower Complex

overlooking the marina has always been a

two-storey restaurant. On reflection it was

felt this was a somewhat wasted opportunity

to provide visitors with an excellent view of

the water-based activities. With that in mind,

this year it has been converted to a seating

area open to the public near the south-

eastern show entrance. There will be food

and drink options available here too but the

feel should be much more casual and relaxed.

Changes ashore

The main entrance (the only entrance for

standard ticket holders) on Harbour Parade

road opposite the P&O Cruises office has

SOUTHAMPTON

BOAT SHOW GU IDE

As well as new boats look out for new features at this year's Southampton Boat Show

The pontoons are

growing in popularity

and size each year

EXCLUSIVE

TICKET OFFER

Southampton

Boat Show

2 TICKETS for JUST £

Use discount code YM27at

checkout when buying tickets at

http://www.southamptonboatshow.com

Off er ends 23:59 on 12/09/2019 Ticket type: Adult Any One Day (fl exible entry)