Preview – Everything you need to know about Southampton Boat Show 2025
The 2025 Southampton International Boat Show returns this week, bringing together boats, watersports and live entertainment into the UK’s largest marine event.
Running for ten days from 19–28 September 2025 at Mayflower Park in Southampton, on the UK’s south coast, the annual show combines Europe’s biggest purpose-built show marina with more than 600 marine brands on display, new stages featuring expert talks and demonstrations, and a wide choice of on- and off-water experiences. Visitors can explore everything from sailing yachts and powerboats to jet ski stunts and scuba diving, while live music, celebrity guests and family-friendly activities all add to the festival-style atmosphere.
Organisers have promised a ‘transformation’ for SIBS 2025, introducing a revised site plan, a new entrance on Mayflower Park and several newly designated areas tailored to different sectors of interest.
From new attractions and hands-on experiences to live music and talks from industry names, here is a guide to some of the key attractions and most notable boats on display at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show.
Boats on display
Highlights include Thunder Child II – the 22-metre (72ft) high-speed, record-breaking golden craft named after the fictional torpedo ram in H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. Also on display is Landing Craft F8, transformed to mark 25 years since the lifting of the ban on gay people serving in the UK Armed Forces – the first time in British history a war vessel has been wrapped in Pride colours.
Cheetah Marine will showcase its largest and most diverse lineup of power catamarans to date at SIBS 2025. The Isle of Wight builder, part of RS Marine Group, is exhibiting three vessels across the show. These include a 7.9m Cheetah Powercat with twin 150hp Yamaha engines and the Helm Master joystick system, a 10.2m passenger model with a walk-around cabin on the Honda stand, and a 9.5m fully accessible craft operated by the Wetwheels Foundation, powered by twin 250hp Suzuki engines and available for demonstrations.
Visitors will be able to meet Cheetah Marine’s leadership and design team, while an exclusive boat show offer provides customers who place confirmed orders during the event with a 50 per cent discount on delivery costs.
Clipper Ventures will showcase a Clipper 70 yacht, offering visitors tours, daily talks and the chance to sail on board during four weekend trips. The Clipper Race Team will also speak on the Boating Academy stage, with appearances from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and senior race staff. Spinlock and sister brands will run safety and sailing workshops, while the show’s new Powerhub will feature the British Power Boat Racing Club and Tom Brady’s E1 racing franchise Team Brady.
Contest Yachts UK will showcase the 17m Contest 55CS on marina berth M740. Designed by Judel/Vrolijk & Co., the yacht has won Bluewater Cruiser of the Year and European Yacht of the Year in the Luxury Cruiser category.
Fairline Yachts is showcasing a selection of show favourites, featuring the F//Line 33, Targa 40, Targa 45 Open, Targa 50 Edition and Squadron 58.
Galeon Yachts, designed in collaboration with Tony Castro Yacht Design, is recognised for its innovative approach to luxury and functionality, from ‘beach mode’ drop-down balconies to skydeck electric roofs. At SIBS, the lineup will include the Galeon 560 Fly, 510 Skydeck, 440 Fly and 410 HTC. Representative Argo Yachting offers the Argo Assured programme, which provides five years of warranty on Galeon and Pardo models and five years of free servicing on all new Galeon purchases made in 2025.
Honda Marine UK and Highfield Boats will share a joint stand at SIBS, highlighting their longstanding partnership and introducing several UK debuts. Visitors will see a broad selection of Highfield RIBs paired with Honda outboards, including the ADV7 7-metre crossover boat, shown for the first time in the UK with a Honda BF250 engine. Honda will also launch its updated V6 BF250 and enhanced four-cylinder outboard range (BF115, BF135, BF150), alongside the new Sporty White edition of its flagship BF350 V8.
Highfield will present five boats at the show, ranging from the 9-metre Sport 900 powered by the BF350 to the entry-level Coaster 54 paired with the BF100, aimed at families entering boating. Additional displays will feature Honwave inflatables with Honda engines up to 30hp.
Nord Star Yachts will mark the UK debut of the Nord Star 49+ at SIBS. Combining Nordic craftsmanship with offshore performance and premium luxury, the 49+ is designed for all-weather cruising, featuring a commanding pilothouse, spacious saloon and a versatile hull suited to both coastal and open-sea conditions. Nord Star can be found on Stands M420, M422, M424 and M426.
Pardo Yachts‘ display will feature the Pardo GT52 and Pardo 38.
Prestige Yachts will present the UK debut of the new F5.7 at the Southampton International Boat Show 2025 on Stand M805.
Also on display will be the Prestige M48 motor multihull, which delivers stability, generous living areas and exceptional comfort.
Princess Yachts will present three show debuts – the S65, F58 and V40 60th Anniversary Edition – on Stand M607. These will be displayed alongside a wider lineup of luxury motor yachts, including the F65, V55 and V50.
RS Sailing will exhibit at stand W060, showcasing boats from its Race, Adventure and Beach ranges, marking 10 years of the RS Quest, and presenting the UK debut of the RS Aira 22. The RS Sailing Store will offer parts, spares and discounts, while visitors can also try RS boats on the water with Rockley Watersports and on the show’s Lake area with the RS Tera.
Sunseeker will present the Manhattan 55, Predator 55, 65 Sport Yacht, Manhattan 68, 75 Predator, 76 Yacht, Ocean 156 and 90 Ocean. CEO Andrea Frabetti says the show offers UK customers the chance to view the models, meet the team and visit the Poole shipyard.
Equipment, propulsion and tech
Yamaha Motor UK will be at SIBS, presenting a wide range of boats and featuring the first UK public demonstration of the Helm Master EX Wireless Controller Station on board a Jeanneau 9 Cap Camarat.
E.P. Barrus will return to show at stands W030 and W032, showcasing UK premieres and new marine engines and equipment. Highlights include the UK debut of the Mercury Verado V10 425hp outboard, the Nordkapp Enduro 830 with integrated Simrad systems, and the award-winning Yanmar SDe all-electric saildrive. Barrus will also present a wide range of marine equipment from leading brands, with experts on hand to provide technical advice, quotes, and after-sales support.
Inland and Coastal Marina Systems returns with its Get Onboard Safely campaign, underlining the importance of safe access to marinas. Throughout the week, Inland and Coastal will join The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), where the team is sponsoring daily exhibitor stand drinks at stand H394 in New Wave Hall, continuing its tradition of hosting informal gatherings for the boating community.
Alongside this, the event will feature the launch of Harbours and their Masters, a new book by sailor Mark Ashley-Miller, who is presenting his experiences from a voyage around the UK visiting harbourmasters. He will also give a talk on Monday 22 September at 4pm at the TYHA stand, discussing both his travels and the role of harbourmasters today.
The Suzuki Marine stand features a lineup of outboard motors, including the Stealth Line series and flagship GEKI models, alongside interactive activities such as free RIB rides in support of the Wetwheels charity, a fishing simulator and the Jimny Beans Coffee Car. New for 2025 is a competition showcasing engine efficiency, with daily prizes to be announced via Suzuki’s digital channels.
The company will also display more than 25 berths of powered craft in the marina, highlighting collaborations with UK boatbuilders. Among the engines on show will be the re-designed DF250AUN, the 60th anniversary DF60AVTL and a selection of portable models and accessories. Visitors will also be able to learn about Suzuki’s Clean Ocean Project, an initiative to reduce waste and pollution, including the recent removal of three tonnes of rubbish from the Scottish coastline.
New zones and stages for 2025
This year, the Powerhub will spotlight the latest in powerboats, engines, and personal watercraft. It will also introduce The Cockpit – a new stage – dedicated to speed, innovation, and marine engineering, with performance boating taking centre stage.
For the first time, the Wooden Boat Stage brings together the Wooden Boatbuilders’ Trade Association, the Boat Building Academy, and Women in Boatbuilding, offering inspiring talks, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops that celebrate the craft.
Meanwhile, the Boating Academy provides a hub for both newcomers and experienced boaters, with expert advice, skill-building sessions, and insider tips from marine professionals.
Yachting Ventures is launching a brand new Innovation Zone at SIBS 2025, aimed at startups in the marine sector. The initiative is part of a wider collaboration between the two organisations. It is Yachting Ventures’ first official partnership with a UK boat show, providing a platform to highlight emerging marine technologies.
The Innovation Zone will operate from 24–28 September and will host 12 marine startups, covering areas such as sustainability, digital technologies, safety innovations and recreational boating products.
Events, talks and demonstrations
British Marine will host Trade Tuesday on 23 September 2025. The free half-day networking event, sponsored by DF Capital, will run from 8am to 12pm in the British Marine Trade Lounge and is open to all marine professionals.
The programme includes a networking breakfast, a panel on media in the marine sector, a presentation on AI by Prof. Alan Timothy of Bubo.AI, updates from British Marine on new training and membership initiatives, and industry briefings on legislation and export tariffs. The event will close with a networking lunch.
Attendance requires registration and a valid show entry ticket.
Women in Marine will hold its 2025 event at the Southampton International Boat Show on Wednesday 24 September, from 4.30–6.30pm at the Quarterdeck Bar & Restaurant. Sponsored by DF Capital, LA Marine and Haven Knox-Johnston, the session will explore the theme ‘Diverse Talent in Action: Leadership, Representation and Career Progression in the Marine Industry’. Panellists will discuss leadership pathways, representation, confidence-building, and imposter syndrome, followed by a networking session.
In addition, show guests can hear from leading figures in the marine world, including record-breaking sailors, ocean conservationists, and boating experts, live across The Cockpit, The Boating Academy, and the Wooden Boat Stage. Speakers include sailing legend and Clipper Ventures co-founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, triple round-the-world yachtsman Conrad Humphreys, record-breaker Aldo Kane, and Nicky Vaux – The Boat Princess, among others.
Get on the water
Take to the water with paddleboarding, kayaking, and dinghy sailing, offered by Rockley Watersports. Visitors can try scuba diving in the Andark Dive Tank or test the latest equipment under expert supervision. The Try-a-Boat experience, one of the show’s most popular attractions, allows participants to board a range of vessels, from cruisers to high-performance RIBs, with activities provided by FlexiSail, Rockley Watersports, Clipper Ventures, Team Endeavour Racing, and Wetwheels.
Tickets on sale now
Tickets are on sale now for the Southampton International Boat Show, taking place from 19–28 September, via the show’s website. Prices start at £29, with concessions from £23, and children aged 15 and under enter free with an adult.
British Marine has also introduced a trade ticket for SIBS 2025, aimed at marine professionals attending the event. Priced at £45, the trade ticket grants access from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 September 2025. Entry is available from 9.30 to 10.00am via a dedicated trade gate. The ticket also provides access to the British Marine Trade Lounge, which offers space to meet, work, take breaks or access complimentary hot drinks.
Music and entertainment
There are daily performances on the show’s Shipyard stage, open until 9pm on Saturdays, with highlights including BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills with a DJ set on Saturday 20 September, and an Elton John tribute by Charles Michael Duke, alongside Flash – a Queen tribute band performing on Saturday 27 September.
The music programme also features the Southampton Salty Sea Dogs, the HMS Collingwood Marching Band in support of the show’s charity of the year – the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity – and the Southampton Rock Choir.
Located in the show’s marina, the On-The-Water Stage features more high-energy entertainment, including jet ski stunts and fast-paced water displays. Look out for performances from Jack Moule, Jetsurf, and Team Endeavour Racing.
Don’t miss the flypast by two Spitfires on the opening weekend, Saturday 20 September, marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The British Army’s parachute display team, The Red Devils, will perform above Southampton on Saturday 27 September. Following the display, they will appear in The Cockpit for a closer audience encounter.
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