Show deals, new launches and class milestones headline RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026
Sail Power will showcase BirdyFish S and IODA by BirdyFish. Image courtesy of Martina Orsini We Are Foiling Media RYA Dinghy Show
The UK’s sailing season begins in exhibition halls filled with new boats, fresh ideas and conversations about what the year might bring. As the 2026 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show opens its doors (21-22 February), sailors are heading in search of sharper kit, smarter upgrades and perhaps a glimpse of the sport’s next big thing. MIN checks out just a few of its hot tickets.
Wetsuits get a second life
If there’s a gently rotting wetsuit at the back of your garage, take it to the show.
Visitors are being encouraged to ‘deposit’ old wetsuits and neoprene items for recycling at the RYA stand. Seemingly the team will also take other sailing clothing that’s pre-loved and in good condition to be redistributed or resold for a second life.
Meanwhile, Barton Marine is showing its dinghy hardware range and offering a £50 gift vouchers to the winner of a competition to assemble a Barton block in the quickest time. This year the company’s looking forward to showing visitors its Continuous Line Furler (which it launched in 2025) and includes hybrid bearing technology, utilising ball and state of the art solid bearings combined, to ensure smooth running. Its specially designed rotor enables rapid deployment of the jib for fast sailing manoeuvres. Weighing a mere 175g, it has a safe working load of 600kg.
Then there’s the Windicator range which is seeing a significant – and permanent – price reduction in 2026 due to logistics efficiencies. Its precision engineering is said to provide superb 100 per cent accuracy in just 2kts of wind. Windicators have been synonymous with the Kiwi yachting scene for 30 years with versions available specifically for Laser, Optimist, Topper and a huge array of other racing classes.
Bargains on boats and sails
Hartley Boats says it’s offering serious show discounts for visitors, including on its Zenith single-hander and on three new additions to the Zenith family – the Zenith 2 double-hander, the Zen and the Zee. Seemingly there’s £5,000 off the Zenith, and 50 per cent off of the list prices for the Zenith 2, the Zen and Zee.
It’s also offering its ‘best ever’ rotor boats spring deal, aimed at RYA sailing schools and training centres seeking to refresh dinghy training fleets. It’s offering half price discounts on the H10, H12, H12.2, H15 and Wayfarer Trainers, with a four-year guarantee on boats and sails and tailored finance packages available.
Sail Power has the UK premiere of the new BirdyFish range. IODA and BirdyFish S are said to be stable, fast and accessible foilers designed to make flight simple (pictured main image). There’s a special show offer available – although MIN is not privy to the exact details.
For many sailors, upgrading sails or improving setup can deliver some of the biggest gains on the water, and there will be plenty of expertise available at the show.
North Sails expert Charlie Cumbley will be around on Sunday morning at CB Cover Store to offer advice on sail choice, tuning and optimisation – and there’s 10 per cent off North Sails orders placed at the show. The team will also have Solo masts and sails for sale, plus covers, road bases and trolleys.
Boats to step aboard
GP Watercraft will be showcasing the full Nautivela range at the show for the first time, including 420s, Optimists and ILCA hulls and spares.
RS Sailing’s line-up reflects its junior, youth and adult sailing offering. The company says that the RS Tera remains a cornerstone of junior sailing, valued for its simplicity, durability and strong class racing scene.
Also on display will be the RS Feva, one of the world’s fastest-growing double-handed junior boats, alongside the ultra-light RS Aero, which continues to attract sailors seeking elite performance. For those interested in bigger-boat sailing, the RS21 offers a modern keelboat option with an active racing calendar and growing community.
2026 sees an exciting calendar of events for the Melges 15, now established as the Endeavour Trophy boat of choice, including the inaugural UK Nationals in Torbay and the Europeans on Lake Garda with charter boats available. Described as fast, fun and stable the company says it’s heading for new heights this coming season.
Class Associations celebrate major milestones
The RYA says that over 70 Class Associations exhibiting this year, and several are marking significant milestones.
The Merlin Rocket Owners’ Association will be celebrating its 80th anniversary as Shearwater Catamaran Class Association marks its 70th.
Other anniversaries continue as the National 12 Class Association celebrates 90 years, the National Firefly Association has its 80th, the National Solo Class Association marks its 70th and the Norfolk Punt Sailors Association reaches an impressive 100-year milestone.
Dinghy historian Dougal Henshall will be discussing the role and development of RYA National Classes in his talk ‘The starting line for growth’ (12.30pm, Sunsail Main Stage), exploring how the classes have helped to shape the world’s most diverse dinghy scene.
From discounted dinghies to century-old class celebrations, the show captures sailing’s unique blend of heritage and forward momentum. Whether visitors arrive with a shopping list, an old wetsuit or simple curiosity, they leave with something that shapes the season ahead – and a reminder that growth in the sport is driven as much by community as by innovation.
Tickets are on sale now with more information available online at the show’s website.
