Boating debuts, on-water adventures, and unforgettable experiences define the 55th Southampton International Boat Show

The show boasted more than 86 World and UK premieres, with standout debuts including the Sunseeker Ocean 156 and Rustler Yachts’ first-ever motor yacht, the Rustler 41MY. Over 100,300 visitors immersed themselves in everything the show had to offer, from a full spectrum of watersports and boating experiences to interactive marine workshops, informative and engaging talks, sustainable boating innovations, luxury lifestyle exhibits, family-friendly entertainment and boats galore. The event truly catered to every kind of visitor, offering something special for seasoned boaters, newcomers, and thrill-seekers alike.

Thanks to the support of Rockley Watersports, Flexisail, Andark, and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the on-water activities were incredibly well received, with over 10,000 people taking to the water throughout the show.

From kayaking and paddleboarding on the Watersports Lake, sponsored by Towergate Insurance, to dinghy sailing, yachting, motorboating, RIB rides, and even diving, visitors had access to a whole host of on water experiences.

Visitors also enjoyed the rare opportunity to board historic vessels, including the majestic tall ship Thalassa, an F8 landing craft, the high-speed Launch 102.  There was even a mini cruise ship.

“The on-water activities are always a highlight of the show and this year, thousands of people experienced the thrill of getting out on the water. We’ve had fantastic feedback, and it’s a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our watersports partners”, commented Lesley Robinson, CEO, British Marine, owners and operators of the Southampton International Boat Show.

With the show enjoying nine days of warm and sunny weather, drawing in large crowds, the whole show buzzed with energy including down on the purpose-built show marina as visitors explored everything from luxury yachts to sleek powerboats. While the action-packed On the Water Stunt Show, featuring flyboarding, jet skiing, and wingfoiling, kept audiences captivated.

Among the many highlights were appearances from Captain Glenn Shephard star of the popular TV show ‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht’, who officially opened the show on Friday 13 September, as well as providing an insight to life below deck on the Foredeck Stage and hanging out with superfans in an exclusive meet and greet.

HRH The Princess Royal added a touch of royal prestige as she toured the show and met with many exhibitors and special guests.

While reality TV star Daisy Kelliher, chief stew on ‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht’, also thrilled attendees with her mixology masterclass and daring flyboarding display.

The show was also delighted to welcome beloved TV personality and celebrity barrister, Rob Rinder, on the final day (Sunday, 22 September). Throughout the day Rob immersed himself in the full boat show experience, exploring exhibits, getting out on the water, and putting his judging skills to the test. He also made his debut on the Foredeck Stage where he captivated the audience by sharing highlights from his day and delivering his verdicts on standout boats and displays, in a special awards ceremony.

Adding a quirky element of charm to the proceedings, Rufus the Hawk, the show’s “Head of Seagull Security,” ensured visitors could enjoy their food in peace, keeping pesky seagulls at bay. While Red Funnel’s maritime legend Captain Ted Funnel, delighted the many young visitors at the show.

The 2024 event also saw the introduced of the first-ever late-night Saturdays, in The Shipyard, sponsored by GAC Pindar. The show’s official opening party on the first Saturday was headlined by legendary DJ Chris Moyles and was a massive hit as attendees danced the night away to ’90s classics, while the official closing party featured Symphonic Ibiza, who provided an unforgettable soundtrack, capping off an incredible 10 days of excitement, entertainment, and fun.

At the Rose Road Charity Swim (Saturday 21), 100 plucky swimmers took the plunge, diving into the iconic Southampton docks for a fantastic cause, supporting families and disabled young people. Swimmers navigated past the tall ship Thalassa and luxurious superyachts on a 1km course in waters usually off-limits to the public, making it a bucket-list event for all involved.

This year the show team up with Southampton Hospitals Charity for the Light the South art trail, raising vital funds for Southampton Children’s Hospital. Forty 8ft lighthouses, adorned with stunning artwork, greeted visitors at the show’s entrance, creating a striking first impression.

The lighthouses were later auctioned off, raising over £75,000 to help transform hospital facilities, provide family support, and continue life-changing research.

Reflecting on this year’s success, Lesley added: “We’ve had an incredible show this year, the positive energy has been absolutely contagious, and the level of engagement—from our interactive watersports to the stunning world premieres—has been truly remarkable. We’ve seen thousands of people take to the water, our new late-night Saturdays have been a huge hit, and the charitable initiatives have made a real impact on the community.

“As we look ahead to 2025, we’re committed to continuing the evolution of the show, bringing fresh concepts, cutting-edge boats, and even more opportunities for everyone to connect with life on the water. We’re already cultivating a whole host of new ideas that will completely reimage the show for the 56^th edition which will take place from 19 to 28 September 2025.

“On behalf of British Marine and the whole boat show team I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the visitors, exhibitors, and sponsors who made the event such a resounding success.”

Be sure to keep an eye out for early bird tickets to the new look Southampton International Boat Show 2025—coming soon! Stay connected through the show’s social media channels for breaking news and exciting updates as they unfold.

What the exhibitors said:

Christopher Head, Sales Director, Sunseeker London Group

“What a fantastic week in the sunshine at Southampton International Boat Show. Our display of Sunseeker Yachts has never looked better, and our team are simply the best in the world. All these factors have helped us achieve strong sales throughout the week!”

Alasdair Marshall, Director, SE Yachts – exclusive Arcona Yachts dealers in the U.K. & Ireland

“We’ve had a great show with strong interest in the Arcona Yachts and Alfastreet on display. We’ve had good footfall verse. last year and the good weather made a difference too. Thank you for another well organised show, we look forward to 2025!”  

Caroline Barbour, UK/ZA/AU  Marketing Manager for Sunsail and The Moorings

“The show never disappoints! We’ve had another great year with some fantastic highlights. Our team were incredibly proud to be awarded the Exhibitor Sustainability Award for the second year running, a real testament to the work they have put in over the past 12 months and beyond. We also announced the Funding the Future winners which was celebrated by a fantastic turnout, a huge thank you to everyone who supported the campaign.

And finally, it was a pleasure to host various tourist boards, including the Thailand Tourist Board. Special thanks to MasterChef quarter-finalist Yui Miles for serving up traditional Thai food. We can’t wait to return for another great show next year!”

Mike Wimbridge, MD, Pantaenius Sail & Motor Boat Insurance

“We love this show as it’s a great way to meet our clients and catch up with industry colleagues in one place. We’re very much looking forward to seeing the new layout next year to help keep things fresh and appealing to the visitor”

David Kendall, Optima Yachts

“We’ve experienced an unprecedented interest in Optima Electric Yachts, enjoying visits from purchasers, journalists, investors and plenty of keen boaters wanting to find out more. And the highlight – entertaining HRH Princess Royal – what a great show it’s been!”

Annabel Speers, Operations & Events Co-ordinator, Volvo Penta

“For Volvo Penta it has been another great year on our stand and berth at the Southampton International Boat Show 2024! With our Assisted Docking Demonstrations giving customers the opportunity to experience the simplification of docking, we have been able to get hundreds of people out onto the water onboard our demo boat on the pontoon.

“It has also been great to see everyone at our stand, getting the chance to see our engines up close, particularly our eye catching IPS display! Technical support offered by our team further provided visitors with insightful discussions about our products. In addition, attendees at our stand had the opportunity to try out our Glass Cockpit simulator experience and VR Assisted Docking Experience, with both proving big hits with those who tried them out! Thank you to everyone who visited us and see you next year at SIBS2025!”

Martin Molloy, Head of GAC Pindar

“Contributing to the 2024 Southampton International Boat Show has been incredibly rewarding for our team. The introduction of the GAC Pindar Logistics Hub has enabled us to help more marine leisure businesses thrive with our complimentary logistics and customs advice. The Shipyard – delivered by GAC Pindar was bigger and better than ever before, enabling more visitors to enjoy the festival like atmosphere for longer. Congratulations to the whole boat show team for creating such a success.”

Marcel Herrera, CompareYachtInsurance.com

“CompareYachtInsurance.com is an online brand, so we took a real chance on exhibiting at SIBS. The enquiries we’ve had has far exceeded our expectations, and our stand became a hub for our insurance partners to meet. The show has proven the value of a physical presence in the marine market”.

Pete Stirling, Operations Director, PSA Prime Marine

“We have had an amazing show with loads of new contacts made with both prospective clients and industry partners. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.”

Lucy Gray, Chief Operating Officer, Cruising Association

 “The Cruising Association has enjoyed great engagement with visitors to our stand. Our reputation, along with the resources and services we provide, resonates with the cruising community. From exploring inland waterways to offshore passages, the positive feedback we’ve received underscores the value of our expertise in supporting both sail and motorboaters.”

Paul Thompson, Yachtbreaker.com

“Yachtbreaker.com would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members who joined at SIBS and thank you for visiting our stand for the launch of our new and innovative yacht community software. The whole show was great and amazing variety of exhibitors.”

Algie Bennett, founder Electric Outboard

“It’s been a fantastic first show here at SIBS2024 for Electric Outboard – especially as we won 3rd place in the Sustainability Awards! Loads of visitors wanting help on how to electrify all sorts of boats from tenders to safety fleets to yachts so lots to do over the coming weeks. Roll on SIBS2025!”

Dominic Zammit, Group Marketing Director, boatfolk

“boatfolk have had a brilliant Show this year, meeting customers new and old from all over the country. SIBS offers us a unique opportunity to showcase the full breadth of what we have on offer, from marinas and boatcare, to boat sales and boat subscriptions. We’ve also been particularly excited to launch our EcoMarine division and #boatgen Sailing Team from this year’s Show. It is the perfect place to bring the boatfolk community together and we have been delighted to be involved once again.”

James Haywood, Digital Product Manager, Bentley

“It’s an absolute pleasure for Bentley Motors to be back at the Southampton International Boat Show for the fourth year running. We’ve had a fantastic and successful presence here for the last ten days, showcasing our brand-new Continental GT alongside the new Flying Spur and also our Bentayga S Black Edition. We’ve been welcoming a number of invited guests from a number of our Bentley retailers as well as welcoming members of the public to our show stand. We’ve had a lot of interest in the cars, a lot of engagement around not only our vehicles but also new V8 Hybrid Power Trains that we’ve got in the GT and Flying Spur that have been newly released this year. We have certainly had a successful show and we also look forward to being a part of Southampton for the foreseeable future.”

Charlotte and Nathaniel Gordon (brother and sister) Sail Trainers, Rockley Watersports

“We’ve had people back on the water that haven’t been on for the last 20 years and people in their early 70s that want to pick up a new hobby. We’ve also had youngsters like really young kids coming on and trying it out for the first time and loads of first-time sailers. We’ve also taken out lots of families who have absolutely loved it. The weather has been great too and the show has been fantastic. We’ve been overrun with people wanting to get on the water.”

Richard Marsden, Sales Manager – UK & Ireland, Raymarine

“The Southampton International Boat Show is still a key boat show for Raymarine in the UK. It’s an important 10 days and we make sure that we’re here selling and helping support our products. Although the numbers have been down, there has still been a lot of quality on the stand and business has so far proven quite fruitful. We’re still waiting on the final numbers, but it’s been very positive at the moment.”

Will, Hudson Marine

“The show has been pretty good for us this year. We’ve been tracking about the same sort of sales as last year. The footfall has been good, and the quality of leads have been really good as well. We’ve been seeing much more installs as well as selling on the stand, which has been really good.”

Tom Bentley, Aftermarket Sales Manager, Navico Group

“The show has gone very well for us; we’ve definitely seen higher quality of people and certainly more business from last year which we are very happy with. We’ll definitely be back next year, lots of people to see and bits to follow us on and we are excited to see what 2025 brings.”

Charlotte Skinner, Key Account Manager, Garmin

“We had a good level of customer, well received products, good enquiries and a great show. Excited to be back next year.”

Simon Barnicoat, Head of Engineering, Concept Marine Group

“Definitely returning next year. The show has been really positive for us. We took over Southerly Yachts last year and managed to get the boat inside the entrance. The location here has been amazing for us, the stand has been amazing for us. The footfall has been really good and there has been a lot of positive feedback with less tyre kickers in this location. We will be retuning next year without a doubt.”

Lewis Horne, Twisted

“From our perspective, from both marine and automotive, it’s been successful. We’re dealing with a lot of enquiries from here further forward. In terms of the automotive side, it’s been a different audience which has been great for us because we are famous for our cars and people don’t really know us for our marine side. Looking to next year, we would plan to bring more cars, bigger boats and have a bigger display. If you think this year’s display is good, next year we’ll be back twice, if not three times as big. We will also bring much more bespoke and specialised stuff. ‘The sunshine and the money have been out’.”

Ross Kemp, Sublue

“For Sublue, this was our first time exhibiting at SIBS so for us it was a great place to not only meet new partners, dealers and distributors, but also to speak with our customers and make sales as well. It’s been a fantastic show and we’re really looking forward to coming back next year.”

Sophie, Sandbanks Jewellery

“The boat show was truly international, meeting so many interesting people from all over the world, who connect because they love the sea.”

Josh Taylor, Excel Marine

“The weather has been absolutely fantastic; we’ve had brilliant sunshine and even today it’s good to see different people coming out with this wonderful weather. We’ve had some fantastic conversations, sold great boats and talking about opportunities for not just this year but next year and help visitors understand what Excel is all about. Bring on next year.”

Adam Hartnell and Richard O’Connor, A.Hartnell Marine Electrical LTD and ROC Marine Solutions

“I found the show really really good; everyone has been really nice, really friendly and the British Marine team have been fantastic. Richard and I have absolutely loved the show, and we will definitely be back next year.”

Tom Lovesey, Director, Generation Graphics

“It’s been really good and very busy for us. We’ve had lots of interest in the demonstrations, they’ve really caught people’s eye. It’s been really positive especially now as we are going into the winter. We’ll definitely be back next year!

Russell, Sleipner

“We have attracted high value visitors to the stand all of which had purpose and intent to explore our products and applications.  We also come to interact with all the boat builders.  It’s been a win, win all round.”

Remember – Date for your diary!

Southampton International Boat Show – 19 -28 September 2025