Yachting World - July 2018

13

After 62 years, the London Boat Show is no
more. In May, British Marine, the industry
federation that organises the show, ended
months of rumours (and years of speculation)
when it announced that the annual exhibition
at ExCeL in early January has been cancelled.
The decision follows research by an
independent company, which found that
‘consumer satisfaction of the 2018 Show was
below acceptable industry standards’. Visitors
found that the number and diversity of
yachts on show disappointed, while exhibitor
prices and lower footfall meant fewer major

boatbuilders took boats to London.

Once the world’s pre-eminent marine show,

London was increasingly eclipsed by the

growing popularity of other European boat

shows, including the UK’s more successful

show in Southampton in September. The

move from Earls Court, close to the heart of

London’s West End, to the docklands area in

2004 proved controversial, though it did give

the show a brief boost, taking visitor numbers

up by over 60,000 to 213,000 in its first year

before decreasing each subsequent year.

To make matters worse, it often clashed

directly with Boot Düsseldorf, the all-

conquering show where major boatbuilders

concentrate their new launches and often

exhibit their entire ranges. This year London

show attracted 52,000 visitors, compared to

247,000 at Düsseldorf.

London Boat Show cancelled

These renderings show the

latest yacht from Nautor’s

Swan, the new 98. This

beautiful new Frers design is

part of a wave of new models

from the Finnish yard, and will

sit between the Swan 78 and

115. The yard is to launch a
     flurry of other new designs,
     including a ClubSwan 125,
     which is promised to be the
     world’s fastest ever
     production yacht.
     See more about the yacht
     and plans in our Supersail
     magazine, with this issue.

New Swan design

Boot Düsseldorf – January

Easy to get to, seamlessly

organised and connected

to a great public transport

system, the vast halls of Messe

Düsseldorf are where to see the

widest possible range of craft

and equipment of every type.

International Multihull

Boat Show, La Grande

Motte – April

Brilliant small show specialising

in multihulls, set in the south of

France in the spring. If you’re

thinking of buying one, come to

this great location.

Cannes Yachting

Festival – September

One of the fastest growing

shows, and the place to see

yachts of 50-70ft especially.

The show is right beside the old

town, and close to restaurants

and beaches. But this year, to

create more space, organisers

are moving the sailing yachts to

a marina a ferry ride away.

Southampton International

Boat Show – September

One of the largest on-water

shows and always popular, with

plenty of new launches from

northern Europe in particular.

Also features lots of equipment

and chandlery.

Genoa International

Boat Show – October

The show has declined

somewhat as Cannes has

grown, but it is still the place

to see the burgeoning and

imaginative collection of Italian

yachts of every kind, including

those you won’t see anywhere

else and some really glitzy

yachts indeed.

US Sailboat Show,

Annapolis – October

The US’s leading sailboat-only

show has a great grassroots feel

to it: friendly, easy to get round,

yachts of every kind and plenty

of practical talks on offer.

Our pick of the best boat shows

onEdition