Strong turnout at 2026 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
The 2026 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show concluded its three-day run at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton on Sunday (10 May), drawing visitors from across the UK and overseas to view more than 120 boats, UK debuts and developments in marine technology and innovation.
Held from 8-10 May, the event brought together marine brands, technology companies and industry representatives at the start of the UK boating season.
The show was officially opened on Friday by MDL Marinas managing director James Barnes and the Sheriff of Southampton, Cllr Pat Evemy.
Visitor attendance remained steady across the three days, with exhibitors reporting regular activity throughout the marina.
A press briefing and media reception on the opening day gave journalists and industry guests the opportunity to speak with exhibitors and view several launches making their UK debut during the event.
Among the launches were the Fairline Targa 47 GT and Fairline Targa 50 Edition, presented by Approved Boats, alongside Yamaha Motor UK’s introduction of the new Yamarin Aura Cabin.
“This was the largest line-up we’ve ever brought to the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show,” says Brett Sawyer, sales director at Approved Boats. “We wanted to create a space where our clients, both old and new, can walk through the very best the market has to offer, from luxury cruisers to high-performance dayboats.
“Our dedicated Approved Avenue pontoon represented the diversity and quality that defines our portfolio in a place for enthusiasts to gather, and I’m incredibly proud of the scale our team has achieved.”
David O’Rourke, managing director of Approved Boats, adds: “The response to the Fairline Targa launches has been really positive throughout the weekend.
“We had a steady flow of visitors on board from the moment the show opened, and it’s been a great opportunity to introduce these models to the UK market in the right setting.”
The Saxdor range also drew attention during the event, with visitors stepping aboard the new 400 GTS alongside other powerboats and cruisers on display.
“The show was, as always, a huge success. We were busy engaging with visitors from the moment it opened on Friday right up until late Sunday,” says Neville Williams, managing director at idealboat.com. “We were incredibly lucky with the weather, good footfall, sales and interest across all models and brands. It was an extremely well-organised show in a very impressive setting, plenty of parking, easy access for all, accommodation on the doorstep and a great selection of places to dine.
“This show really has become a very important part of the boat show calendar for the British Isles. We would like to thank all who attended, visitors and exhibitors alike, and a big thank you to MDL and their team for all their dedicated effort.”
Meanwhile, Yamaha Motor UK introduced the Yamarin Aura Cabin to the UK market during the show, with the pilothouse cruiser attracting steady visitor interest across the weekend.
“The Yamarin Aura Cabin attracted a lot of attention over the three days, and the feedback from visitors was extremely encouraging,” says Daniel Rice, marine product manager at Yamaha Motor UK. “The show provided an excellent platform to introduce the model to a UK audience and showcase what makes it different.”
Innovation and sustainability focus
Innovation and sustainability remained central themes during the event, with the Innovation Hub hosting talks covering offshore cruising, marine safety, youth development and propulsion technology.
Sessions included discussions on hydrogen propulsion, onboard power systems and the Cruising Association’s Marked Gear = Safe Gear campaign, launched during the show by sailor and author Tom Cunliffe.
Following a public vote, Yacht Solar Arches received MDL’s Green Innovator Award 2026, which recognises sustainable product development in the marine sector. The company’s solar arches are designed to maximise solar exposure for onboard energy generation.
Raymarine presented its latest navigation and connected boating systems during the event, while visitors were entered into a prize draw featuring marine electronics and onboard technology valued at nearly £9,000. Prizes included Raymarine’s Axiom+ display system, Alpha Performance Displays and the Ray91 VHF system.
“We’re now six years into our partnership with the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, and Raymarine is delighted to continue supporting the event,” says Richard Marsden, UK sales manager at Raymarine. “It’s a fantastic showcase for the industry, bringing together new boats, fresh design and the latest innovations in marine technology.
“The atmosphere across the marina has been excellent throughout the weekend, and it’s clear a huge amount of work has gone into delivering another successful show. Congratulations to MDL and the team for putting it all together.”
Ocean Village Marina’s waterside facilities, including restaurants, bars and public spaces, remained busy throughout the weekend.
Sophie Kirkpatrick, MDL’s head of sales and marketing, comments: “The feedback from exhibitors across all three days has been really encouraging. There was a consistent level of quality visitors throughout the show, and a lot of positive conversations taking place on the pontoons.
“What makes this event work so well is the relaxed environment, which gives people time to properly explore the boats and engage with the brands exhibiting.”
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