Taking place in Port Vell from September 26 to 30, the 2012 Barcelona International Boat Show will provide a full range of exhibits from the simplest accessory to the most sophisticated boat, as well as a full range of nautical sports and recreation exhibits, thanks to the presence of companies such as Bavaria, Beneteau, Furuno, Garmin Iberia, Green Power, Jeanneau, Marina Estrella, Rodman Polyships, Sessa Marine, Sunseeker, Touron, Yamaha and Zodiac, among many others.
Barcelona International Boat Show - Aerial View
Sailboat, yachts catamarans, Menorcan boats, power boats, inflatable crafts, cruisers and fisher-cruisers. Sail and motor boats will again be the stars at the Barcelona Boat Show that, this year, will have Port Vell as its only venue. This privileged setting will set the scene for the on-water show -with boats from 8 metres in length – and the dry land exhibition, with all types of nautical products and services, from electronics and engines to paints, sails, tugs, fishing articles, charters and sports marinas, as well as small boats.
“This year, there will be more boats in the water, since we have reduced the minimum length to 8 metres instead of the 12 metres at past shows”, said the show’s Director, Jordi Freixas. “Until now” he explained “the presence of over 160 boats has been confirmed compared to 130 last year. This includes mid-length sailboats, which we have recovered by concentrating everything in Port Vell.”
For the show’s President, Luis Conde, “being able to try out the boats in situ, added to Barcelona’s climate in September, will be a great incentive for the public and will contribute to attracting new enthusiasts to the show. Furthermore, for those interested in acquiring a boat, this is the best time and place to find the most favourable purchase and financing conditions.”
According to the Director of the Asociación Nacional de Empresas Náuticas (ANEN), Alejandro Landaluce, “companies in the sector are making an enormous effort so that visitors enjoy the broadest and most attractive showcase of products since, despite the crisis, the national nautical market is committed to evolution.”
The latest products for enjoying the sea
Boats with hydraulic swimming platforms, key ring-type remotes to control a boat’s electric system, low-consumption, electric and hybrid engines, 3D navigation charts. These are some of the new products visitors will be able to see at this year’s show. In general terms, manufacturers continue to invest in solutions that are environmentally-friendly and that contribute to greater safety aboard.
A Smart Port for a Smart City
The Barcelona Boat Show continues to commit to innovation as one of its identity marks. One of this year’s initiatives will be the Smart Port, a port management platform and a social network for boat owners, designed for smartphones and pads. It is a new way of taking mobile technology, in which Barcelona is a global pioneer, to the sea and yet another reason to visit the show.
Barcelona Boat Parade
Barcelona’s September climate, light and atmosphere and the attractive setting of the show by the sea are an invitation to enjoy the last days of summer. For this reason, the show will again be a place for fun, learning and promotion of nautical sports and recreation, as well as for boosting sales and generating business. In order to do so, the show is hosting multiple activities, such as the Boat Parade, one of this year’s surprises, in which a selection of boats will parade along Port Vell to show their innovations.
The show will also feature three theme areas, located in Moll de la Fusta, with activities for everyone: Fun Beach Area that, in addition to showcasing products and services related to nautical sports, will have a zone for young people to enjoy beginners’ light sailing, kayaking and paddle surf sessions, among other sports; Espai del Mar, a space designed for the presentation of regattas, books, trophies, seminars and awards, which will also host debates and conferences related to the sea and navigation in all its variants; and Marina Tradicional, which will showcase classic wooden boats and host workshops and concerts. All the information on these activities is available online.
For the third year running, there will be a Village in Moll d’Espanya, which will again be a meeting point for business persons, representatives from various economic spheres, sports persons and guests from the nautical world. It will house a restaurant and terrace café in a pleasant marine setting.
Tickets to the show will cost 12 Euros for the general public and will be free for trade visitors.
50 years of history
The Barcelona Boat Show is a founder member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO), and an international benchmark event. On occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Barcelona City Council awarded it the Gold Medal for Sports Merit in recognition of its work in promoting nautical sports and contributing to the city’s internationalisation. Organised annually by Fira de Barcelona, the show has the backing and collaboration of ANEN, as well as the sector’s leading organisations.
