The eagerly awaited London Boat Show 2013 will officially open at the ExCel exhibition centre this Friday, January 11. It is expected to light up the capital with a beautiful display of all things marine. Here are Yachting Pages’ Top Ten things to do at the popular London Boat Show – Europe‘s first yacht show of 2013.
To whet your appetite in advance of the show, browse thousands of companies in the Yachting Pages superyacht directory or online – the world’s leading superyacht resources.
1. Download the official show podcast
Make sure you know what’s happening and when by downloading the official London Boat Show podcast from the website of the show. Listen to it on the tube or in the car en route to ExCel.
2. Go early to save pounds – or indulge in a Champagne Ticket
To save a few pounds, visit the London Boat Show at ExCel between Monday 14th and Wednesday 16th January and tickets will be just £10 (£20 on the gate). Children go free. To indulge instead, order a limited edition Champagne Ticket for just £20, and enjoy a flute of bubbly at the Sunseeker Champagne Bar whilst soaking up the ambience. If you can’t escape the 9-5, plan a late-night visit on Thursday 17th January to nose around until 9pm.
3. Sign up for the RYA’s ‘Active Marina Experience’
If you’re more likely to become a super sailor than to own a superyacht, refresh your boating skills and develop some new ones with expert instructors at the Royal Yachting Association’s Active Marina Experience. There are also shore-based workshops including diesel engine maintenance and VHF refresher courses.
4. View 50-foot-plus power boats
You can’t help it – you just think that bigger is better! Check out the show programme and be sure to catch all the latest designs and innovations in 50-foot-plus power boats from Oyster, Princess, Fairline, Pershing and more. James Bond eat your heart out…
5. Get wet at the ‘On the Water’ activity pools
After a day in the capital and a few hours exploring the aisles, wake yourself up with a dip in the Show’s multi-activity pools, where family-friendly activities include canoeing and kayaking.
6. Marvel at world champion ’Jetski Jack’
To see how a misspent youth can really pay off in the end, spend a while watching (through your fingers) as daredevil Jack Moule throws some shapes on his jetski. Multiple British Freestyle Champion and record-breaker, Jack is now taking the USA by storm with his jetski hi-jinks.
7. Visit the Owners’ Association stands
Loyal to a particular boat brand? Seek out its Owners’ Association at the London Boat Show to swap stories and contacts with fellow fans and aficionados. Beneteau, Broom, Contessa 32, Nicholson 32, the Old Gaffers Association and the Westerly Owners’ Association will all be waiting to welcome you.
8. Make your marina property dreams reality
If you like the idea of overlooking nothing but the water but can’t quite stretch to a superyacht, a marina property is the way forward. The London Boat Show is packed with exhibitors specialising in luxurious villas and waterside hideouts from Andalucía to Antigua, or seek out some straight-talking advice from Which Marina?
9. Test your strength in the Musto Winching Competition
For your chance to win a £500 Musto voucher (women’s and men’s categories), try to beat the professionals in the Musto Winching Competition. Those international sailing squads make it look easy – the reality is somewhat different.
10. Win a trip on a luxury skippered yacht
Pure Latitude is offering show-goers the chance to win a trip for two on a luxury skippered yacht on the Solent, for a relaxing daytrip to the Isle of Wight or an exhilarating day’s racing. For your first taste of fully-crewed, superyacht luxury, this is a great place to begin.
