Did SIBS 25 ‘Float Our Boat’?

The 56th Southampton International Boat Show drew to a close on Sunday 28th of September, wrapping up ten days of new product showcasing, displays both in the water and in the skies, live presentations and forums, on-stage entertainment, as well as a moderate but worthy number of show debuts and product launches made by a cross-section of the UK boating industry. With more than 500 watercraft, 700 brands, and a rounded programme of features and experiences within the show’s newly introduced zones, though smaller than in previous years, this 56th consecutive event possessed a positive and welcoming atmosphere. The latter being encouraged, at least in part, by the show’s consolidated layout and reduced footprint, as well as a run of generally fine weather.

The show’s organisers state they welcomed over 91,200 visitors through the gates. Having been an event/exhibition organiser at a national level in the past myself, I personally wouldn’t have estimated the visitor numbers to be that high, at least not over the 6 days our PBR team were present at the show. But, as we all know, in some ways the numbers are secondary to the chief aims of most exhibitors, because understandably, their goal is to meet the buyers. In a market that’s shown itself to be enduringly ‘flat’ for some while, it was an achievement therefore that the show did indeed bring some buyers to the fore, with companies such as The Wolf Rock Boat Company (who took the largest amount of space of any landside exhibitor), proving once again that the demand for their Brig RIB range is still as high as ever. Fine Design Marine also had a successful show and amongst other successes, sold a very fine and well-appointed Viknes 10 motoryacht ‘straight off the bat’ within the first couple of days of the event. Dan Cross, MD of Powerboats/Boatsmart, reported healthy sales of his ZAR RIBs, both during the course of the event and in the days following too. Neville Williams of Idealboat also confirmed a successful show, and reported the show had “got off to a quick start” and resulted in sales and quality leads for his Finnmaster and Saxdor ranges.

Those debuts and standout craft that caught our attention this year are currently being shortlisted for inclusion within a special ‘PBR top choice boat roundup’, compiled by PBR’s very own Ed Hickling. Likewise, Mark and Jo will also be providing their tech and equipment innovation highlights from this year’s show in a separate feature too.

But amongst the boats that featured on my personal favourites list, I would include the brand new Orkney 27 Pilothouse Gen II – a beautiful and highly functional all-weather cabin weekender. British built in the Sussex South Downs, she’s the pride of this family business’ ever-growing fleet and rightly so. Likewise, the Westons Point 27 ‘gentlemen’s’ dayboat-come-weekender is a strikingly lovely craft that embodies the finest boat building skills — a classically styled ‘short-hander’ that’s completely custom built by the Westons’ own small team of Dorset shipwrights.

The grandiose Grand Banks 54, the modernistic Delta Coupe 33, and the sublime Bellini Astor 36 were all exceptional craft that brought grace and elegance to this year’s on-water displays. For exceptional value and sheer all-year-round capability, I liked the all-aluminium Ockelbo B25. (Look out for our forthcoming Ockelbo test.) The Finnmaster P8S, as sold by Ideal Boat, was another craft I particularly liked. This latter craft outflanked pretty much all its peers at the show in terms of internal space, general roominess, and well-appointed accommodation.

Barrus Marine were also debuting the Nordkapp 830 Enduro and the Mercury Verado V10 425hp. I tested the Nordkapp 830 Enduro at the Cannes Yachting Festival, a fabulous boat as you will see – look out for the test report coming soon.

For those with a thirst for RIBs of genuine offshore capability, there were three noteworthy examples afloat in the event marina. Firstly, the SA built Gemini 880 Cabin RIB. With its all-weather cabin benefiting from the option of air conditioning, heating system and demister system, this tough, deep-vee hulled, outboard powered ‘war-hammer’ would do battle with any sea!

The Italboats Stingher 32GT powered by two 400hp V10 Mercury outboards is a serious bit of kit at just under 300K, but it’s properly put together and combines Mediterranean finesse with true ‘over the horizon staying ability’. In particular, I loved the 32GT’s reassuringly high prow and the design of the RIB’s comprehensively appointed cockpit and sturdy T-Top coverage. Presented by Abersoch Land & Sea, this is a new line for the company who were also exhibiting both Regal and Navan models too.

Honda Marine UK and Highfield Boats debut new models, including the ADV7 crossover and Honda’s enhanced outboards.

Another RIB of note afloat was Island RIB‘s 7.5m model. Yamaha powered, this particular craft has been specifically kitted out with a full sundry of Raymarine electronics and serves as promotional vehicle for Pantaenius Insurance. But to my mind, the Island 7.5m is a genuine all-rounder, one that epitomises the best of British — faithfully continuing the original concept that made British RIBs truly great in the first place. Beautifully finished, the vessel’s attention to detail is exceptional and whilst the likes of the Italboats RIB demand your attention, in contrast, the Island 7.5m exudes a quiet, understated confidence that experienced RIB enthusiasts will absolutely connect with.

The likes of Fairline, Sunseeker, Princess Yachts, Rustler, and Axopar all boasted debuts of one sort or another and collectively contributed much to the show’s overall presentation and feel. However, it was the gathering of the pilothouse craft, which included such leading brands as Rodman, Sargo, Nord Star, XO, and the universally respected Botnia Targa — the latter displayed by Wessex Marine — that for me at least proved even more impactful than the big, plastic ‘white-siders’. In fact, Wessex committed to displaying no fewer than seven of their finest Targas and Marex models. A massive investment by anyone’s standard, and as ever, the standard of Wessex’s presentation was second to none. RM Focus had a significant display too, which included the fabulous first showing of the new Nord Star 54. With their associate company, MCC Marine, presenting a handsome cross-section of XOs, this joint entity didn’t hold back in wholeheartedly throwing its lot in with the show. Full marks to each and every one of these companies!

At show opening, the wave-piercing Thunder Child II made a dramatic public entrance, complete with a ‘Captain Jack Sparrow‘ look-alike and remained a must-see throughout the show. (Look out for our forthcoming exclusive interview with expeditionary Nick Ogden, Thunder Child’s record-setting owner). Thunder Child was joined too by an impressive line-up of other feature exhibits, including the winner of this year’s Cowes Classic, the 52ft Outerlimits Good Boy Vodka. Also, the WW2 High Speed Launch 102, and its compatriot Landing Craft F8. Thanks to the joint efforts of Rockley Watersports, Flexisail, Andark and the Ocean Scene team, more than 9,500 visitors were quoted as having got afloat over the course of the 10-day event. If the maths are correct, then this is mightily impressive.

The Cockpit Stage, located within the show’s new PowerHub Zone, both of which were sponsored by Powerboat & RIB, featured a host of powerboating celebrity live interviews. These were also recorded for podcasts and are set for release via PBR’s digital boating platform. So, keep a look out for them. They’re currently on the editing table as I write, but they’re going to be very special indeed.

Another new feature at this year’s show, ‘Chef’s Ahoy’, combined food and lifestyle with live demonstrations. Meanwhile, the Shipyard entertainment area once again provided a buzzing social hub of live music, street food, and late-night sessions. But if the Shipyard’s full-on PA wasn’t quite your style, then the Quarterdeck’s Bar & Restaurant food and drink offering at the opposite end of the site, we judged to be excellent. The beef burgers were prime beef, and the fish was really fresh! Yes, rare indeed! Coupled to efficient and friendly service, we were pleasantly surprised. Full marks to the catering team here for delivering such quality. Bolney, the exclusive sparkling wine sponsor of the 2025 Southampton International Boat Show, was available at all bars.

Being ever the optimist, the issue of how many days the Southampton Boat Show should extend is still a matter of debate amongst many in the industry. The Cannes Yachting Festival, arguably Europe’s most successful outdoor boat show and in comparison far, far larger than Southampton is or has ever been, is some 4 days shorter. One exhibitor expressed the British weather is a strong reason to allow ten days to provide more good weather opportunities, but I’m not so sure this is necessary. Serious buyers will come anyway, whatever the weather. You may lose footfall of general public, but not so much the serious buyers who will find a suitable day within a one week show to visit.

Should our UK show bear the title ‘international’? Of course not. The Southampton Boat Show is a showcase for our British marine trade. Let’s celebrate this fact, rather than seek to undermine the fundamental status of that which we should all be proud. In line with this, virtually all the overseas product displayed at the show is already imported by UK based dealers and distributors. It’s also worth noting that not one overseas journalist or media entity visits the show. Why? Because they know it holds no international merit.

Entry ticket prices have been criticised by many visitors as being too expensive in relation to the size and nature of the event. The cost is on the whole more than or comparable with your typical county agricultural show, but of course in terms of the latter, there’s a whole lot more for a family to see and do. The New Forest Show, Royal Bath & West, Devon County, etc, all being examples of this fact.

Lastly, from the exhibitor’s standpoint, many are openly complaining that Southampton’s exhibition rates are exorbitant. Okay, maybe these charges could be borne a little more easily if the economy or the pastime itself were booming. But in the present economic climate, the returns for many are just not there. It’s a massive financial commitment for an exhibitor who may be outlaying £100K, £150K, or as much as £200K or more, in order to attend with what he deems a convincing display. How many marine businesses will be in a position to keep making that gamble, year on year, remains to be seen. I guess when September 2026 rolls around, we’ll find out. Not surprisingly, the post-show ‘wash-up’ delivered a mixed response from exhibitors. It worked for some, for others it didn’t, but whichever way you look at it, the show’s organiser, British Marine, has its work cut out going forward. The organisers costs have got to be cut, savings must be made in order to lower the ongoing cost of exhibiting.

Was the 2025 Southampton event the all-out ‘re-launch’ we all hoped it was going to be? Not really, it was more of a consolidation of what went before. But to my mind, the show sure does need to continue, because when all is said and done, the UK needs and deserves a convincing national maritime showcase. Besides, if you love boats and the pastime of boating, there still is no better place on home soil or home waters to meet with like-minded souls than the Southampton ‘International’ Boat Show. Here’s to hoping that our show survives the challenging waters ahead.