This year’s HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show will be hosted by the Amsterdam Marina from 2 to 7 September. Northern Europe’s most complete in-water boat show will display more than 300 new boats from five to 25 metres. The event annually provides a comprehensive overview of European yacht building expertise, with all major international brands represented. The boat show is situated in the heart of Amsterdam, easily accessible by car as well as public transport. It is an ideal event to combine with a city trip to the Dutch capital.
Luxury motor yacht Princess 82 - the largest vessel to be displayed at the 2014 HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show
From three to 25 metres
The HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show will exhibit a wide and diverse list of boats small and large, series and custom-built, in aluminium, steel and polyester. This year, exhibitors will again be presenting dozens of premieres, many of them global. The show is an essential port of call for people considering a possible purchase as virtually all major Dutch and European brands are represented at the show.
The boats on offer will include daysailers, cabin sailboats, luxury sailing yachts, motoryachts, launches, tenders, sports boats and RIBs. The average length of the sailboats will be approximately ten metres, while the motorboats will measure eleven metres on average. The 3.3-metre Delta 325 Turbojet will be the smallest motorboat on display, while the 25-metre motor yacht Princess 82 will grace the jetties as the largest. Among sailboats, the Saffier Se 23 will be smallest, at seven metres, while the Bestevaer 66ST by KM Yachtbuilders will undoubtedly attract the interest of many visitors as the largest sailing yacht.
Strong in steel
Several of the debuts presented in the steel segment will allow Dutch manufacturers to confirm their worldwide reputation as premium yacht builders. Here is a selection of world premieres which have been announced among the motoryachts to date: the Andante 436 by Aquanaut Yachting, the Executive 1500 by B. van den Hoven Jachtbouw, the Boarncruiser 42 Retro Line OK-HT by De Boarnstream, the Contest 52MC Flybridge, the Korvet 14 CLR by Deep Water Yachts, the FS Concordia Experience 50 by FS Schiffstechnik, the Knobbe Classic 39, the Linssen Classic Sturdy Sedan 36 Deckbridge, the Favorite 1500 by Mulder Shipyard, the North-Line 42 Wheelhouse, the Pikmeercruiser 44 AC, the Panorama FF46 by Steeler Yachts, the Sabre 42 Salon Express, the Jetten 41 Sedan and the Storm X-53 F. Examples of new models on the Dutch market in the launches and sports boat segment include the Bavaria 35 Sport, the Broom 430, the Criss*Cross 28 Corsair, the Da Vinci 30, the Inter Cruiser 31 Cabrio, the isloep 777 and the Nimbus 450 Coupe.
Sailing yacht debuts
The sailing yacht segment also seems to be experiencing more dynamism in the market in terms of innovation and adaptation of existing models. The show will feature Dutch and world premieres by brands such as Arcona, Bavaria, Bestevaer, Comar, Dherler, Elan, Garcia, Hanse, Maxi, Moody, Pointer, Saare, Saffier, Salona, SwedeStar, Varianta, Winner and X-yachts.
Wide choice of launches and tenders
The range of launches, weekenders and tenders on offer remains an important part of the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show exhibition programme. Visitors interested in this segment will have over forty models of many different brands to choose from.
Those interested in the large and luxurious can indulge in the motoryachts and sailing yachts measuring sixteen metres or more showcased by Lengers Yachts, Mulder Shipyard, Princess Yachts, Storm Yachts, Contest Yachts, KM Yachtbuilders and Nova Yachting.
New: tour on the IJ by Canal Company
The waterfront of the IJ brings together the rich history of Amsterdam and its resolutely contemporary architecture. In recent years, the shores of the IJ have gone through breakneck development, including the construction of the EYE Film Institute Netherlands, a true landmark for the area. Discovering this panorama from the water is certainly worth the effort. Visitors to the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show can step onto an Amsterdam Harbour Cruise boat for a tour designed especially for the occasion (4 times a day).
New: ‘Boats with a story’ Pavilion
A new feature is the ‘Boats with a story’ pavilion, which will be organised in partnership between the magazine Zeilen, bookshop L. J. Harri, Uitgeverij Hollandia and Watersportmedia. This will involve five boats, each of which has starred in an article, a book or an ebook, berthed next to each other at the jetties. The skippers who have previously entrusted their stories to paper will tell all about their experiences in person, onboard their boats (in Dutch) and in short presentations between the stands of L. J. Harri and Zeilen. From adventurous construction processes to world circumnavigations or exciting weeks on the Wadden Sea mudflats, ‘Boats with a story’ promises to be the meeting place of choice for sailors at the show.
New: hoverboarding
The latest sports craze from southern Europe, hoverboarding, is a new variant on the flyboarding which was also seen at HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show in recent years. Hoverboarding is similar to snowboarding on a water jet. Professionals will show their art, and the public will also be able to give it a try at a cost of € 25 per 20 minutes).
Especially for the kids: Optimist on Tour
The HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show is one of the stops made by Optimist on Tour as it travels around the Netherlands from May to September. This event comprises a range of activities for children, who can become acquainted with various watersports, such as sailing in an Optimist, sailing in a canoe, stand-up paddling and running in a water ball. There will also be plenty to do on dry land: experiments in a water lab, learning to tie knots, or achieving the best score in a sailing game. All these activities will take place under the watchful eye of expert instructors.
Sailing by oneself
A fascinating programme for children, youth and adults alike is planned on and around the water. Almost all activities are free, allowing anyone to discover the fun of water sports. Trial sails of boats and dinghies, sailing lessons for children, hoverboarding demonstrations, rowing, surfing, aquawalking, manoeuvring clinics, man overboard clinics, waterscooter demonstrations through the KNRM and match racing in Maxfuns 24 will provide a dynamic water sports backdrop around the exhibited boats.
Dutch glory: sea tug Holland and rescue ship Insulinde
Two of the notable appearances on the jetties will be Holland and Insulinde. The former, a 57-metre historical sea tugboat, is the last remaining representative of a steel generation that has since become a part of Dutch seaborne heritage, and a unique monument of Dutch naval architecture.
Visitors will also be able to step onboard the 18.5-metre Insulinde, the world’s first large self-righting motor lifeboat made from steel. She has already completed 341 trips and rescued 332 people. Insulinde has been declared as a piece of Dutch sailing heritage and is the flagship of the National Lifeboat Museum Dorus Rijkers.
Culinary delights at Duin & Kruidberg
The HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show will consist of more than just boats. More than a hundred exhibitors on the quay will present nautical items, clothing and accessories. The centrally located outdoor café of Restaurant Duin & Kruidberg will provide the perfect place to take a break after a walk along the jetties for a tasty snack.
Amsterdam tourist information
A visit to the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show can be easily combined with a short city trip or a longer stay in Amsterdam. The free ferry across the IJ brings visitors from the NDSM yard to Central Station in just twelve minutes. From there, there are endless options for shopping, museum visits, sightseeing, bike rides, good food and hotels in central Amsterdam.
