New yachts galore for Southampton Boat Show

by Sail-World Cruising round-up on 12 Sep 2012 Things are either looking up or desperate in the yacht manufacturing business. One of the world's great boat shows is just about to open, and it's featuring over 20 brand new yachts models.

Britain's PSP Southampton Boat Show in Mayflower Park runs from 14 - 23 September this year. Britain's original on-water boat show is held in one of Europe's largest purpose-built marinas with over 2km of pontoons. There will be up to 1000 boats on display over the ten days that the show lasts, and global launches of many of the new boats.

Among them are the Allures 45 Lift Keel, the Discovery 57, Fisher Yarmouth 22, Hallberg-Rassy 412 and the J70 Sportsboat. Not content with launching just one boat, Oyster is to launch two: the Rob Humphreys designed Oyster 725 and Oyster 885.

Some have suggested that because the European Yachts of the Year are to be judged at the show, manufacturers have chosen to launch their yachts there for maximum effect.

The two Oyster yachts have just completed fit out at the Oyster Yachts build facility in Southampton and are now being fully commissioned ahead of their boat show debuts. After the 885 is premiered at the show she is destined to sail round the world in the Oyster Oyster World Rally fleet which commences in January. What a beginning.

But you don't have to be in the market for a million pound boat - there's everything from small dinghies to the newest technological gear and even, shock-horror,, a few power boats.

The kids will love it too, as there are great events just for them. 10,000 people turned up last year to try out both boating and all kinds of watersports, and more are hoped for this year.

One fascinating feature this year is the Alexandra Shackleton, a replica boat about to take to the waters of the Southern Ocean for the adventurers on the 'The Shackleton Epic'. (See http://www.sail-world.com/USA/Shackletons-legendary-open-boat-voyage%3A-the-re-enactment/97694!Sail-World_story) This will replicate the gruelling 800 mile Southern Ocean voyage that took place in 1916, when the James Caird was used by Sir Ernest Shackleton in one of history's greatest rescue missions. Come and see how sailors on The Shackleton Epic will cope with the traditional tools and equipment that was available in 1916.

In addition to these new attractions, each day will see a commentated must-see flotilla of modern, vintage and iconic boats sail past the marina.

For more information, http://www.southamptonboatshow.com/2012/home.aspx!click_here.