- Blog
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by Pete Green
Boat shows are very much on our minds here at Halcyon Yachts. We have just successfully delivered a Hallberg-Rassy 50 from Sweden to the Dusseldorf Boat Show and already have bookings to take yachts to other boat shows in 2023.
We have compiled a list of some of the biggest, most interesting, and innovative exhibitions around for you to consider visiting. Each has its own unique selling point, some are unashamedly aimed at the luxury superyacht market such as the shows in Dubai, London and Monaco. Others are proud of their eco credentials, like the Paris event, or are business-to-business focused like Europort in Rotterdam. The RYA Dinghy Show, the Sydney Boat Show and the Southampton Boat Show have family-friendly approaches. Some boat shows are famed for being big, Fort Lauderdale boasts that it is the biggest on seven seas.
Which boat show appeals to you most? Will you be attending any in 2023? Let us know in the comments section. Perhaps we’ll see you there!
Dusseldorf Boat Show (boot Düsseldorf).
January 21-29
The Dusseldorf Boat Show is the first boat show of the year. Canceled two years in a row, in 2021 and 2022, the German trade show is back in 2023. In a few years ‘The Boot Dusseldorf’ has become one of the most important trade fairs in the world. With 250,000 visitors from ninety countries counted in 2022. The “Grande Messe” is held annually on the banks of the Rhine and brings together 2,000 exhibitors. It features 16 halls and 18 different themes under the collective title of “Experiences of Water Sports”. These gigantic halls display 1,800 sailing and motorboats of all sizes and types from dinghies to luxury yachts. Various water sports are also represented: diving, surfing, skimboarding, kite surfing, stand-up paddling, canoeing and sport fishing all have dedicated halls. This boat show has a comprehensive range of stage talks. Topics such as the recreational boat industry, the latest trends, and sporting advice as well as a varied mix of workshops for both recreational boaters and experts.
RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show. Farnborough International.
February 25-26
This two-day event is dedicated to smaller craft. It features dinghy sailing, windsurfing, wingsurfing, foiling and paddleboarding. The emphasis is on interactive family fun, water sports displays, demonstrations, and live coaching sessions. The show boasts hundreds of boats and the biggest names in marine retail all under one roof. The main attractions include:
Model Boat Pool. where you can race model boats against family and friends. This popular event encourages sailors to race around a course using remote-controlled dinghies.
Beginners Zone. If you wish to start sailing, foiling or wingfoiling then the new Beginners Zone on the RYA stand is where you will find everything you need to know from courses and kit to boats, boards, and clubs. You can also speak to staff about the opportunities available to you locally.
Boat Repair Workshops. Here there will be demonstrations on basic boat repair techniques with talks about GRP boat repairing for the novice, including hints on general maintenance and how to avoid unnecessary repairs.
Trapeze rig and wing and sailing Simulators. An opportunity to perfect trapeze skills and practice tacks. Instructors will be on hand to guide you. Try windsurfing, winging or race against a friend on the dinghy simulator, you will find these in the Interactive Zone and next to the Watersports Stage.
On the Water 360 virtual reality. Put on the VR goggles and experience the thrill of foiling, dinghy sailing and windsurfing on the RYA On the Water 360 VR experience.
Children’s area and treasure hunt. Colouring competitions, name the parts of the boats or a treasure hunt. Children can collect a map upon arrival and navigate their way around the hall collecting clues and treasure along the way.
Dubai International Boat Show. Dubai Harbour.
March 1-5
The Dubai International Boat Show is a five-day event and the largest boat show in the UAE and the Middle East. The event showcases 800 boat, yacht and Superyacht brands from around the world. The show aims to present the latest sailing innovations, provide new launch announcements and create opportunities for new business contacts.
One of the show’s most popular attractions is the Superyacht Avenue, a collection of some of the world’s most expensive motor yachts. If you fancy a Supercar to compliment your boat, then there is an avenue of some of the most expensive cars around as well. The marina display features boats for those sailors who are not millionaires! As with most boat shows, there are stalls selling equipment, products, and services, ranging from electronic and navigation aids to anchors and clothing. Guests are invited to try a range of paddle boards, windsurfers, dinghies and kayaks in the Lagoon area. It is also possible to experience jet skiing, flyboarding and kite surfing. In the dive pool, professional divers, underwater photographers, and enthusiasts can participate in sessions and hear about new techniques and technologies. The Dubai Boat Show hosts an International Yachting Conference each year which provides a platform for debate and innovation and regulation of the seas. There is also a Captains’ Night for skippers and crew to network.
London Luxury Afloat. St Katherine Docks, London.
April 18-22
Many sailors will remember the London Boat Show of old. Originally held in Olympia, then Earls Court and finally The ExCel Centre. Eventually, it was canceled in 2018 with organisers citing that the show was commercially unviable. London Luxury Afloat is a new showcase event, set at the historic St. Katharine Docks. Bringing some of the most luxurious sail and motor yachts on the market to the heart of London. Created by the team responsible for the Southampton International Boat Show, London Luxury Afloat has been designed to appeal to prospective buyers. Featuring a wide range of well-appointed sailing, motor, and Superyachts, up to 25m. From leading brands including Oyster, Hallberg-Rassy, and Sunseeker. Visitors can learn about world launches of new boat classes and models. Shoreside displays feature smaller crafts, products and services that complement the boats on display. An interesting feature of this show is the exhibition of floating apartments.
British Motor Yacht Show. Swanwick, Southampton.
May 11-14
The British Motor Yacht Show is organised by Premier Marinas, Swanwick. Some of the world’s most famous motor yacht brands attend including Fairline, Princess & Sunseeker. The organisers control every aspect of the show. They focus exclusively on what they think a serious motor yacht buyer would want to know, see and do at a motor yacht show. The British Motor Yacht Show’s organisers restrict exhibits to the finest British-built motor yachts and premium overseas motor yacht and power boat brands rather than an exposé for all areas of the marine lifestyle. no ticket is needed, entry is free. However, if you want to view the yachts on the water it is necessary to book a viewing appointment.
Connecticut Wooden Boat Show.
June 23-25
This US Boat Show is a contrast to some of the glossier events that focus on luxury brands. The boat show is held over two days at Mystic Seaport Museum. It is run by Wooden Boat enthusiasts for like-minded people. There are a range of activities, for example, demonstrations, including skills workshops on topics such as: blacksmithing boatbuilding woods, steam-bending wood, sharpening tools and planking techniques. The talk’s agenda includes subjects such as pirates, computer-assisted boat design, adventures, and expeditions. There are various competitions for a range of boat classes and an ‘I’ve built a wooden boat section’ for sailors who have built a wooden boat that they would like to show off. In previous shows, the collection has included 100’s of kayaks, skiffs, daysailers, yachts, motorboats and canoes, by a variety of designers.
Sydney International Boat Show. Darling Harbour.
August 3-7
Hosted in the heart of Darling Harbour over 5 days and nights, this boat show has a reputation as one of the biggest marine lifestyle events in The Pacific. The show was started in a modest format over 50 years ago and has grown over the years, attracting 45,000 visitors in 2022. The event is a celebration of everything marine from paddleboards to power cruisers, and sailboats to Superyachts. It is an opportunity to view the best and brightest in boating, watercraft, and marine technology. The organisers aim to produce an exemplary boat show with a showstopping lineup of family-friendly entertainment and experiences in one location.
Southampton International Boat Show. Southampton, UK.
September 15-24
This boat show is an old favourite with UK sailors. It features everything the leisure marine industry has to offer. Visitors can browse a wide variety of marine brands on land and in Europe’s largest purpose-built marina. The event highlights everything from stand-up paddleboards, sailboats and Superyachts. Along with all the products and services a watersports enthusiast needs to enjoy life in, on, or around the water. In 2021 the organisers revamped the layout of the show which comprised of brand-new sector-specific zones. These have proved highly successful and the zone format is being used again for 2023. In addition to the marine products on display and for sale, the organisers have developed specific marine spotlight days based on themes including; Women in Marine Day, Schools and Careers Day, Environmental Day, and Clubs and Associations Day. Up to 2 children go free with every adult ticket.
Monaco Yacht Show.
October 27-30
This boat show specialises in sailing and motor-powered Superyachts and their associated accessories. Visitors can view products that complement these vessels such as jet skis, tenders and land-based vehicles. Luxury is very much at the heart of the Monaco Boat Show. Visitors can speak to the boat builders, interior designers and craftsmen who specialise in making the components of these vessels. There are talks and exhibitions about the future of super yachting and trends for the coming year at the Yacht Design and Innovation Hub. Potential boat owners are invited to speak directly with a panel of designers, brokers, builders or financial advisers at the Monaco Yacht Summit. These experts can inform you about all the practical aspects sailors need to know to conduct a new yacht project. There is also a Sustainability Hub Exhibition.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
October 25-29
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show presents itself to the world as the “greatest boat show on the seven seas”. Located next to the beach in sunny South Florida, FLIBS spans 90 acres across three million square feet of exhibit space. Over 7 locations are connected by an intricate network of water and ground transportation services. The five-day show attracted over 100,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors representing 52 countries with more than 1,300 boats on display in 2022. Products range from sunglasses to superyachts and everything in between.
Europort Maritime Rotterdam, Netherlands.
November 7-10
Europort exhibits in the world port city of Rotterdam. It is the international maritime meeting place for innovative technology and complex shipbuilding. Europort has a strong focus on ‘high-tech’ ships such as dredging vessels, naval vessels, workboats, inland navigation vessels, offshore support vessels and Superyachts. With 26,000 professional visitors and 1,040 exhibiting companies Europort is the world’s largest maritime meeting & knowledge-sharing business-to-business platform.
Nautic Paris Boat Show. Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, Paris.
December (exact date TBC)
Every year, at the start of December, the Nautic Paris Boat Show takes place. For 8 days, the Porte de Versailles is transformed into the largest indoor port in France. More than 800 exhibitors present their products and knowledge to enthusiastic visitors, first-time purchasers, and experienced boaters. As well as boats, guests can view and buy spas, saunas and swimming pools and find out about destinations for boating holidays.
The Paris Boat Show prides itself on its environmental approach to reducing the impact of the show. It also facilitates debate and dialogue for the French nautical sector through the development of innovative products and services or through collective initiatives such as the EPR sector (extended producer responsibility) for dismantling pleasure boats or the treatment of obsolete flares. This will be the case again this year with an electric zone, innovations area and the presence of eco-organisations.
With highly qualified and experienced crew, Halcyon Yachts Ltd offers a dedicated international yacht delivery service. For more information or to see details of their recent deliveries please visit:
