Step into Mayflower Park, where iconic superyachts meet sailboats, bustling stalls packed with clothing, chandlery goods and accessories, the chance to see latest in engines and technology, and plenty to learn from the array of speakers on the Foredeck Stage – as well as opportunity to rest, relax and refuel at Quarterdeck Bar & Restaurant and the famous Guinness Bar.

Mayflower Park, a scenic grassy city park overlooking Southampton Water, transforms into the heart of the Southampton International Boat Show when hundreds of companies come together to celebrate the annual watersports extravaganza.

Here is just a glimpse of some of the amazing exhibitors and activities that we have in store for visitors in Mayflower Park.

On show for the first time in the UK, Protagon Yachts, with Boatsmart, will be showcasing two fantastic family day boats, the Protagon 20 and the larger Protagon 25. Offering a modern twin stepped wave piercing hull design, with smooth and dry ride, comfortable seating, aft u-shaped dinette and forward seating which converts into a spacious sunbed, and fitted with Suzuki DF100 ATX 4-stroke outboards, these modern and stylish boats can be personalised with choices of engines and accessories, with prices starting at £45,450 inc VAT.

Image: Martin Allen / PWpictures.com

Featuring Mercury engines, the range of boats on the Quicksilver stand extend from the 5.4m 505 Cabin to the 6.38m 625 Pilothouse and 9.09m 905 Weekend.  From Finland, Silver Boats UK will be showing the Terhi range with the UK debut of the centre console Terhi 450cc.  Made from ABS plastic, these foam filled and unsinkable boats range from 2.3m to 4.8m in length.  Supplied with a choice of Honda, Suzuki, Mercury or Tohatsu outboards, prices start from just £1,500 up to £24,000.  Also on show will be the Silver range of bow rider and cabin boats, with choice of aluminium hull and GRP deck – providing durability, lightweight and comfort – or full GRP hull and deck models.  See the 8m Silver Raptor, 6.4m Silver Eagle and 5.7m Silver Puma on the stand.

Just alongside, boatfolk will be revealing “Sweden’s best kept secret” – with the debut of a Swedish boatbuilder brand on show for the very first time at Southampton.  There’s also the rare opportunity to see the Sagsa, a high-end trawler-style yacht custom built by Spanish boat boatbuilders, the luxury sailing yacht Elan E4 from Slovenia, and award-winning Quarken boats featuring the Cabin and Onyx models all on the boatfolk stand.   Visitors can also secure next year’s berthing at this year’s prices, enter a competition to win hundreds of pounds of vouchers for use at any boatfolk bars or venues, and listen to a series of engaging talks and demonstrations taking place throughout the show, designed to inspire and educate the next generation of boaters.

From an extensive range of sailing boats on the RS Stand to Boatworld’s selection of sports boats and tenders, where the Carbon Pro 365 take centre stage.  Also on show is the Boatworld KAT Sport 330, and KAT Tenders 230 and 280.  The company will be showcasing the Orca 9.9hp and 12 hp electric start outboard engines, new to the UK.  One lucky person at the show can win a KAT Tender Inflatable boat.  Boatworld ship orders every day, so if a boat is ordered at the show, it can be delivered the very next day, with the option of 0% interest free credit, package discounts and show special offers.

Williams Jet Tenders is displaying the MiniJet 280, TurboJet 325, SportJet 345 and 395, and visitors can also choose the latest road trailer from Vanclaes and SBS, and even pick a pontoon to walk on and moor on from Walcon.  Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Walcon is also the provider of all the floating pontoons used at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Image: @emilythephotographer.com

Whilst gleaming new boats dominate, it’s often the stands that offer an insight into new technology, useful gadgets or just eye-catching ad unique accessories that make a visit to the show really worthwhile.  Whether it’s the first viewing of a new development from Waterside Properties in Cyprus – with wellness spa, golf course and clubhouse, tennis courts and proximity to Paphos airport – or the stylish range of clothing, hats, sock and accessories from Moonaz, there’s so much to seek out at Mayflower Park.

Celebrating its 30th birthday with special “Cake o’clock” times posted daily on social media, Ocean Art is one of the few companies worldwide with the skills to design and paint a boat’s sails, flags and covers.  There’s a special 10% discount on everything ordered at the show, including protective Marine Shield coatings, UV strip paint and Ultraflex sunscreen RIB paint.

Foutala returns to the show once again exhibiting their quick dry, 100% organic cotton colourful towels.  Offering exclusive in show deals and running giveaways to win Foutala’s for the whole family, you’ll also be able to view their new 2023 range, including new colours, new patterns and even new ponchos for kids.

Fancy a customised fender?  Then look no further than the Henshaw Inflatables stand, with its range of creative and eye-catching customised fenders.  Also on show is Henshaw’s luxurious 5m tender with sleek carbon design and flashes of artic grey detailing, and its range of foam products, ideal for stern fenders, with examples of teak, flexi-teak and carbon anti-slip finishes.  From its sister company, Mustang Survival, there’s a range of high-quality apparel including dry suits, jackets, waterproof bags and UV protective clothing.

Around Mayflower Park, visitors can find every sort of accessory from Ecobat with its range of EcoFlow marine solar generators, Rolls deep cycle lead-acid batteries, and Victron power systems – with qualified staff on hand to assist with detailed technical data on all sorts of marine batteries.  If you want to know the difference between standard lead, EFB, AGM and Lithium, then this is the stand to visit.

On land or at sea, Safevue CCTV offers security solutions for the home, business and marine environments with its CCTV, intercom and alarm systems.  New this year is the latest affordable Hik micro thermal imaging equipment, ideal for man overboard in poor visual conditions as well as checking the temperature of a boat’s engine and bearings.

Image: @emilythephotographer.com

Alongside the wide range of exhibitors, Mayflower Park is home to the Foredeck Stage, newly located in Ocean Hall, here visitors can take a seat and enjoy a packed programme of engaging and informative talks, interactive Q&A sessions and lively debates.  With sessions on everything from mooring tips and seagrass, to canoeing Olympians and Paralympians and knot tying tips for kids with the show’s resident friendly pirate, there promises to be something for everyone. Look out for the full line up of speakers’ coming soon!

While the Quarterdeck Bar & Restaurant, with its wide variety of sumptuous street food and refreshing beverages provides the ideal place to sit and relax, overlooking Europe’s largest purpose-built show marina and watch the breathtaking stunt shows taking place on the On the Water Stage.  Marvell at the incredible jet ski demos, ariel acrobatics of the flyboard and keep a look out for the jet ski car!

With a 2023 make-over and new location, show favourite, the Guinness Bar returns bigger and better than ever, providing a traditional place for sailors to meet up and spin their yarns, accompanied by a pint of mild stout, alongside other cold drinks, tasty street food and sweet treats.

Just across from the Guinness Bar there’s the chance to browse on the YouBoat stand with its range of safety equipment, clothing, tenders and engines, and even if buying a boat isn’t on the agenda, and you want to just turn up and go, visit Boat Club Trafalgar , Freedom Boat Club or head to the FlexiSail Boat Club stand, and get all the benefits of enjoying a range of yachts in a variety of locations, including FlexiSail’s new base at MDL Queen Anne’s Battery Marina in Plymouth with its Dufour 380 Grand Large sailing yacht.

Finally, just when you think there’s nothing more that can surprise you, head to the Bottle Stage and Bar; with its acoustics sets, displays of live fighting and sea shanties, this real-life bottle boat was sailed across the Atlantic by Fons Oerlemans and visitors can purchase the book outlining his amazing adventures, entitled “The Last Great Adventurer” from Medina Publishing stand.

You can find details of the myriad of exhibitors at this year’s show and all the activities in store to help plan your visit here https://www.southamptonboatshow.com/exhibitors/

Get your ticket

Tickets for the Boat Show can be purchased online at www.southamptonboatshow.com/visitor-information/tickets/

Upgrade your visit with the new and exclusive Quayside Club VIP package at www.southamptonboatshow.com/vip/

The show is open from 10am – 6pm daily except the final Sunday when the show will close at 5pm.

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