The PSP Southampton Boat Show 2013 will be held from 13 – 22 September, offering more exciting activities to take part in and more boats, brands, products, as well as suppliers than ever before. This year, the 45th edition of this popular event will thrill experienced boating and watersport enthusiasts as well as those setting foot on a vessel for the very first time. Built on one of Europe’s largest purpose-built marinas with over 2km of pontoons, the ten day Show will host visitors getting out on the water as well as marveling at the lovely boats from dry land.
45th PSP Southampton Boat Show, September 13 - 22, 2013
The PSP Southampton Boat Show is the ideal environment to immerse yourself in the world of all things marine. Few other events are as hands-on, inviting visitors of all ages and levels of experience to get out on the water, explore a vast variety of gorgeous power and sailing boats inside and out and refresh old skills – or even pick up new ones!
Attraction Highlights Include:
The Show’s Signature Attraction: The Marina
The Show’s purpose built marina, one of Europe’s largest, makes the Show a truly impressive on-water experience. Visitors will be able to walk the pontoons to board some stunning new launches as well as see a wide variety of yachts in every size, shape and design. There are also some unique feature boats which will be situated in the marina, all offering a different experience to guests.
Debuts
Almost 100 boats are currently scheduled to make their debut at the Show, including an unprecedented 28 world launches. These range from small dinghy tenders such as the FoldAway 8 and the NautiRaid Coracle 250, to some of the world’s most desirable sailing and motor yachts such as the Bavaria Vision 42 and Gunfleet 58. There will also be impressive luxury motor yacht launches from Princess, Sunseeker and Fairline. The stunning range of debuts at Southampton captures the height of both British and international boat building skill.
Feature Boats
View a wide variety of old, new, sail and power feature boats that will be on display throughout the Show in the Marina. These include Bessie Ellen, one of the last surviving West Country trading ketches from a fleet that once stood at nearly 700, built in Plymouth in 1904. An incredible reconstruction of an ancient Mediterranean trading vessel, Phoenicia, will also be on display, along with Donald Searle, part of the Rona Sailing Project and everyone’s favorite, Callista. The Royal Navy P2000, gives the opportunity to get up close to the Patrol Boat and chat to the crew while the fastest feature boats are the two Global Ocean Race yachts. See them in the Marina.
Prepare to Launch with On the Water!
Those who are looking to have an on-water experience at this year’s Show will not be disappointed, with opportunities for children and adults alike to try out boating, diving or even, for the first time this year, paddleboarding. On The Water, the initiative to encourage and educate everyone to the accessibility and affordability of getting on the water, brings some of the Show’s key attractions, available for free.
Try-A-Boat
The Show’s ever-popular attraction, Try-A-Boat, sees enthusiasts and beginners alike get on the water on a range of power and sail boats of all sizes.
Don’t delay – book your slot early at stand A140 in the Arena Area
Get Afloat
For the younger Show visitor Get Afloat, brought to the Show by Rockley Watersports, lets 8 – 16 year olds get on the water either dinghy sailing or stand up paddleboarding, with qualified instructors, in a 90 minute session in the heart of the Show.
Book in for your Get Afloat session at stand A140 in the Arena Area
Try-A-Dive
If it is an underwater experience you are looking for, Andark Diving’s Try-A-Dive attraction offers visitors of all ages to get in the water and experience Scuba Diving. A unique interactive sporting experience with fully qualified instructors on hand and all the kit supplied; all you need to do is head to the stand and sign up for your free session.
Head over to stand A124 in the Arena area to book your slot
Act!ve Nation
This Southampton based charity will be bringing its mission to get the nation active. With sessions in kayaking and water-zorbing available to visitors, anyone can get involved, with expert instructors on hand to show you the ropes.
Visit their stand A132A in the Arena
Suzuki RIB Experience
Suzuki’s RIB experience offers Show visitors the chance to travel at high speeds along Southampton water, getting to feel first-hand what it is like out on the water in a RIB.
WetWheels
Geoff Holt’s WetWheels, a specially adjusted 9m Cheetah catamaran for wheelchair access will be at the Show. Powered by two of Suzuki’s flagship V6 300hp outboard engines it will be running rides for disabled visitors and wheelchair users each day.
Brushing up on Skills and Safety
Skipper Skills
Two boats, one power and one sail, will be stationed in the marina both dedicated to sharing with visitors those skipper skills you always wanted to master. Some of the topics being covered on board in five, hour and a half sessions each day will include safe downwind sailing, gybing a spinnaker and picking up a mooring buoy under sail. This new attraction is ideal for those that can already sail, or perhaps have their own boat and would like to gain some extra tips and skills. This unique learning experience from the experts is free for Show visitors.
Safety Zone
Honda, Yamaha and the RYA have come together with National Boat Shows (NBS) to provide an interactive and educational learning experience on everything you need to know before heading out to sea. Sessions will cover PWC (jet skis), RIBS and powerboats of varying sizes and designs.
Find the Safety Zone in Solent Park stand CO67
RYA Active Marina Experience
Boating enthusiasts will have the chance to polish their skills or learn those aspects of sailing which they have never got to grips with before with the RYA Active Marina Experience. Following the success of the attraction in 2012, this year will bring the opportunity to gain top tips from expert instructors with free on the water and shorebased workshops. These sessions are limited so visitors are encouraged to look at the schedule on the website and book in advance.
Go Solo
Go Solo is an at-Show experience for those with a few more sailing miles under their belt. Try your hand at solo sailing in one of the specially designed Figaro Bénéteau II’s; this impressive boat is available to those visitors wanting to experience the true adrenalin rush of sailing solo and offers an exclusively coached solo experience this September.
A Celebration of Heritage
Exhibits of Lifetime
This, the 45th Show, will see many first time exhibitors, but there will also be numerous companies and individuals who have been present since the beginning. Exhibitors who were present at the first ever Shows and are still triumphing in the marine industry include Moody Yachts, the RNLI and the Royal Navy.
Wooden Boat Builders Trade Association
Come and watch wooden boat builders construct two life-sized vessels in the Arena from scratch throughout the Show. View this incredible craft first hand and hear about the benefits of using this traditional material for boat building.
Mirror Dinghy
2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mirror Dinghy. An incredible example of this iconic British product, invented in the 1970s as an accessible way for more people to get into boating, complete with all its original components will be on display throughout the Show next to the Wooden Boat Builders Association. Mirror Dinghy 32 will bring back memories of learning to sail for many visitors and is a fantastic example of British sailing heritage and invention.
The Need for Speed
Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship
Enjoy watching this exciting national race championship, sponsored by Honda and Ribcraft, in which 8 – 16 year old Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) drivers can demonstrate their skills with the goal of winning a 4.8m Ribcraft or a Honwave T40 for their club. The National Final will be held at the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday, 15 September 2013. Some of the youngest and most fearless home grown talent, such as Hannah Glatzel, will compete region against region.
Battle of the Classes Pursuit Race
The PSP Southampton Boat Show Battle of the Classes Pursuit Race, in association with Yachts and Yachting and Active Nation, will be an event not to be missed on Sunday 22 September. With just two boats racing in each class the standard is set to be incredibly high, so head down to the marina to get a good spot of this exciting pursuit race action, with the prize giving taking place on the Active Nation stand.
America’s Cup
Catch up on the America’s Cup racing at the Show. Head to the Suzuki Marina Bar where you can relax in the atmosphere of the Show and watch highlights of the racing on the big screen over the ten days of the Show.
A Well Deserved Drink
With the stunning views available for visitors at the Show, it’s worth taking time out to relax and enjoy a drink. Sip on your favourite tipple, including champagne, at either the Honda Champagne Bar or Suzuki Marina Bar where you can also enjoy a pint of Guinness. Alternatively, take in the Show’s atmosphere and enjoy a la carte dining at the Mariners restaurant.
The Galley Food Court, San Miguel Tapas Bar and Mariners Restaurant can be found in the Mayflower Complex, Mayflower Park, with the Honda Champagne Bar & Suzuki Marina Bar serving Guinness in Solent Park.
Tickets
There are a range of tickets to suit all show-goers needs. Adult tickets can be purchased in advance of the Show from just £16**, with two children going free with each paying adult. The great value £28 family ticket allows two adults and four children access to the Show for one day.
Advance Champagne tickets are available for £20, which include a glass of champagne at the Honda Champagne Bar in the price. If you are looking for a special experience, the Platinum Experience in association with Princess offers visitors a VIP day out. Your day includes a luxury Power Boat ride, use of a private lounge overlooking the Marina, morning tea, coffee and pastries, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and cake, a showguide, Show entry tickets plus more.
