What’s on: Southampton International Boat Show 2023 preview

This year sees at least 60 new boats making their world or UK debut at the 2023 Southampton International Boat Show, which runs from 15 to 24 September.

Debuts include Fairline’s Squadron 58 (shown in the gallery below), Princess’ S72, Sunseeker’s Superhawk 55 and 75 Sport Yacht, the Dufour 41, Bavaria C46, Swan 58 and Spirit Yachts 72 Deckhouse.  

There’s the first chance to see the Arcona 50, Hanse 410, the Beneteau First 36, Beneteau First 44, and Lagoon 51 catamaran. Plus, the boat show will host the world launch of the Bavaria C46 yacht and UK debut of Bavaria’s SR33 motorboat, the UK debut of the Nord Star 42+ Cruiser and the Monterey 235SS and 238SS sport powerboats.

New to the UK models, including the SunFast 30 and Jeanneau Yachts 55 sailboats, Cap Camarat and Merry Fisher powerboats, and the first British showing of the powerboat DB/43 will also be on display in the marina. 

As well as debuts of the Candela C-8 electric hydrofoiling boat, the 10m Scorpion Sting RIB, Sealine’s S390 and Zego Marin’s FATCAT 4500 Multihull will also be at the show.

Joker Boat RIBS has UK debuts for three models – the Coaster 650 Plus, Clubman 22 Plus and Clubman 24 — while Rodman makes its UK premiere of the 790 Ventura CC, and Pontoon Boats, highly popular in the US, hosts its UK debut of the Regency 350 LE3 Sport.

Star-studded Southampton boat show

Fairline hosts the world debut of its much anticipated Squadron 58 at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show. Visitors will have the opportunity to get onboard this new model, which, in a British builder first for yachts under 80ft, boasts large hydraulically powered balconies to both sides and a bathing platform that doubles in size.

Teamed with a large cockpit, the Fairline Squadron 58 has an aft outdoor space measuring over 30 square metres. 

Alongside the Squadron 58, Fairline will be showcasing the F//Line 33, Targa 45 Open, and Targa 45 GT.

Sunseeker

Sunseeker’s 100 Yacht is the largest vessel to showcase at this year’s SIBS. Powered by MTU 12V 2000 M96X as standard or MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines as an option, the 100 Yacht accommodates up to 12 guests and five crew.

Sunseeker will also be exhibiting the Superhawk 55, Manhattan 55, Predator 65, 65 Sport Yacht, Manhattan 68, Predator 75, 76 Yacht, 88 Yacht and 90 Ocean.

Princess Yachts

The Princess S72 will make its show debut and forms part of a seven-yacht line up at this year’s event for Princess Yachts.

Launched at the 2023 Dusseldorf Boat Show, the new Princess S72 aims to provide a sporty alternative to the Y72 and joins the popular S Class family.

Spirit Yachts

Spirit Yachts will be displaying its latest sailing yacht, a Spirit 72, at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show.

The 22.1m Spirit 72 is a Bermudan sloop designed for regatta racing and occasional cruising. The yacht displays all Spirit Yachts’ iconic design hallmarks including long overhangs, flush decks, and curved deckhouse with integrated fan windows.

It has accommodation for eight across three double ensuite cabins and the saloon.

Hanse

Balt

The all-new Balt Yacht 37 Grand will make its UK debut at SIBS. The flagship of the Balt Yacht range offers generous accommodation and living space, specifically designed for extended cruising of the inland waterways of Europe and inter-connecting coastal passages. It features a full displacement hull, an elevated upper deck steering position and overnight facilities for six in two private en-suite cabins and an occasional double berth in the saloon.

The 100th Balt Yacht SunCamper 35, and the Balt Yacht 818 Titanium returns for the 2023 Southampton show in its coastal guise powered by Yamaha’s 90hp V-MAX. Balt Yacht’s own range of inland and coastal cruisers are exclusively available in the United Kingdom via Bray Marine Sales.

Arcona

Sweden’s Arcona Yachts will launch the new flagship, the Arcona 50, at the show. The Arcona 50 has been in development since early 2022 and is the first model designed by Jeppesen & Pons. 

The Arcona 50 is targeting the high-quality performance cruiser market. Applying the latest and most advanced build technology for both the lamination process as well as the interior, the vessel features vacuum infusion of both hull, hull liner, deck and deck liner utilising vinylester plus local use of carbon fibre and the application of lightweight cored composite and marine plywood panels for the interior.

Pearl Yachts

Pearl Yachts’ Pearl 62 will represent the British brand in association with Volvo Penta. The yard’s best-selling model has been selected to demonstrate Volvo Penta’s new Assisted Docking feature.

The Pearl 62 on display features the Luxury Interior by Kelly Hoppen CBE, who designs exclusively for Pearl in the sector.

Shoreside visitors will find the new 4shaw 4.7m inflatable tender from the Henshaw, Ribcraft 350, Highfield Sport 800 and Medline 5.8 from Zodiac. Rebel Leisure is showing new Rebel Raider RIBs and models in the Rebel Superyacht Series, while Specialist Small Craft is hosting the UK debut of its range of RotoTech polyethylene boats from 3.5m to 5m. 

There’s also a range of all-purpose and fast fishing craft on show, including the Norden 600 from 3D Tender, on show from Ocean First Marine, the Protagon 20 from Boatsmart, and the Interboat Intender 950 Cabin from Val Wyatt Marine. 

The Boat Club is showing three new models – the De Antonio Yacht D36, Invictur Yacht GT280S, and Lasai solar electric 20GL, whilst Boatpoint has a new range of Ryds open console craft on display. 

Sustainability and tech

For boaters looking at ways to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable, this year sees the launch of the TEMO 1000 electric outboard. Designed for large dinghies and sailing boats, it weighs 10kg with a 5kg removable battery, and it will be demonstrated at the show on the ultra-lightweight aluminium Featherlight RIB from Ocean First Marine. 

Mercury will also be showing the Avator 7.5e electric outboard on its stand. 

Solar Technology International’s stand demonstrates all the ways to maximise solar energy with the launch of its compact and high energy Mono High Density (MHD) solar panels and new flexi ETFE solar panels designed for boats where space is at a premium. 

From Denmark, and on show in the UK for the first time from Current Electrical is the Clayton Power LPSII lithium-powered battery generator. Providing 230V and 12V power for use on yachts, it can be charged from a mains supply, solar charged or wired through the starter battery and charged by the alternator whilst the vessel is moving. 

Mactra Marine is launching the Power Up hydrogen fuel cell, which produces power with zero Co2 emissions, and also new to the UK, Advance Yacht Systems are launching the Remoran Wave hydrogenerators.

Throwing light on all this new technology is the Marine Lighting Store, showing a wide range of interior, exterior, navigation, LED, and underwater lighting. Marine Innovations will present a host of new products being launched at the show, including the Power Dome, which shows when shorepower fails, and the Auto Engine Blower designed to help ensure engine bay safety.

Osmotech will be exhibiting the new Mabru 12V DC air conditioning while Scanstrut will showcase the ATMOS 12V integrated air station, which is designed to enable fast and easy inflation of all your towables and paddleboards.

Comms and products

Icom is introducing a range of new products on the comms sector including an ultra-compact user-friendly IC-U2OSR licence-free two-way radio, and new black box VHF radios with multi-station control. 

MailASail is hosting the world debut of the Skylink Rugged Global Communicator designed to provide communications in the harshest and most remote areas. It also includes a global internet hotspot allowing any device with Wi-Fi to access basic internet anywhere on the planet. 

There are plenty of new products on show on the Barrus stand. Barton Marine is showing new carbon tiller extensions and TUPHblocks, alongside a new Rocna MKII anchor from CMP and boat cleaning products from August Race.

For those wanting to learn new skills and gain qualifications, the launch of Ardent Training’s new videos with online and interactive support for the RYA Yachtmaster Online Theory should be of interest.

Women in Marine day

Registration is now open for SIBS’ Women in Marine event, which returns to the show on Thursday 21 September 2023.

The programme this year involves a number of engaging events throughout the day, focused on wellness, networking, panel discussions and mentoring.

Women in Marine at SIBS is sponsored by Haven Knox Johnson and Lewmar, and additionally supported by Marine Industry News, Barton Marine and Barrus.

Inaugural Trade Tuesday event

British Marine is launching the first Trade Tuesday event at SIBS 2023.

Sponsored by Marine Industry News, Haven Knox Johnson Commercial and the British Marine Professional Services association, Trade Tuesday is a free-to-attend event for members of the marine industry, taking place on 19 September 2023.

The event will be made up of three sessions, focused on business opportunities, environmental issues, and new communication strategies. There will also be multiple networking coffee breaks that will run throughout the morning.

Registration for Trade Tuesday at SIBS 2023 is now open.