The 2018 London Boat Show drew to a close on 14 January amidst incredible sales reports, a vibrant atmosphere, strong visitor numbers and the fantastic launch of the all new Boating & Watersports Holiday Show.

Over the course of the five-day event, more than 52,000 visitors enjoyed a range of boats and products on offer from 347 exhibitors; this represents a significant average daily increase on attendance from 2017.  Attracting attention from visitors and media around the globe, the show offered a fantastic platform to launch 94 brand new products. 11 world debuts included the magnificent Princess V50, Hanse 348 and Rodman’s Spirit 42 Coupe, with the Sunseeker 76 offering visitors the chance to see the biggest boat at the show.

With brand new attractions for 2018, the Sshow provided more opportunities for visitors to get on the water for free – or learn and practise new skills on dry land. Powered by Rockley Watersports, ‘Chalk and talk’ sessions on the Show’s new Beach Club gave visitors an insight into some of the latest watersports activities, before trying them out on the Activity Pool. Close to 500 people also enjoyed the wakeboarding experience located in the new Adventure Park. The Lock and Waterside Pub, overlooking the new inland boating attraction, provided a welcome pitstop for a well-deserved pint and gave a feeling of life next to the waterways. On 13 January alone, over 3,000 people paid a visit to just some of the new inland boats on display for 2018, demonstrating that staycations are still high on the list as a holiday experience of choice.

Keen boaters and novices flocked to the Practical Boat Owner Theatre where they crowded around to listen intently to their expert heroes such as Tom Cunliffe, Dave Selby and Stokey Woodall.  Whether offering advice on how to kit up for the next cruise, what to take, or boating on a budget, the specialist speakers had all the answers.

The live programme of features continued at the Legends Theatre, presented by British Marine, with Sky Sports Presenter, Alec Wilkinson on hand to deliver a terrific programme to a continually packed audience. Heroes across the sailing world who appeared on stage included Mike Golding, Dee Caffari, Alex Thompson, who also collected the prestigious YJA Yachtsman of the Year award at the Show, and a joint appearance by female sailing icons Tracy Edwards MBE and Sam Davies. YouTube stars, Sailing La Vagabonde, were also a star attraction. A key moment on the stage included honouring future talent with the announcement of the Superyacht UK Young Designer competition winner, in partnership with Pendennis Shipyard and Olesinski; the competition has proved fascinating to watch across the first two days of the event.

HRH The Princess Royal gave the Show a regal feel on the opening day as she toured the event and presented Hannah Stodel with the celebrated RYA Yachtmaster of the Year award. Footballing hero, Sir Geoff Hurst and BT Sports Presenter, Jake Humphrey,officially opened the Sunseeker International stand and were joined by the prestigious Jules Rimet Trophy. Other famous faces included former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, Red Bull Team Principle, Christian Horner and TV stars Lorraine Kelly, Nick Knowles and James Martin.

Political figures, the Rt Hon. Lord Henley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairburn received a detailed insight into the strength of the leisure marine industry.

Howard Pridding, British Marine CEO, comments: “The 2018 London Boat Show has provided an essential platform to showcase the very best of the marine industry to a global audience. We’re delighted that the changes we have implemented have been such a success. Offering a new five-day format has allowed us to attract more new and first-time exhibitors than ever before.

“The atmosphere has been vibrant, and our new attractions gave everyone the chance to experience and interact with the Show. With an average daily attendance of just over 10,000 we’ve enjoyed more concentrated crowds of visitors at the show than we’ve experienced for many years, particularly on the very busy Saturday.”

Howard concludes: “With the latest industry figures demonstrating a sixth continuous year of growth within the sector, this year’s Show has continued along that terrific vein. We pay tribute to and thank our exhibitors who were the stars of the Show.”

The 2019 London Boat Show will take place from Wednesday 9 – Sunday 13 January 2019.

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