Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

SBS BoatLife lays down foundations for a legacy event

by Boat Life Events 20 Feb 2023 09:39 PST 16-19 February 2023
SBS BoatLife 2023 © Phill Boyd

SBS BoatLife drew a top-quality crowd over four days at the NEC, putting this Midlands show firmly on the map.

After the success of the inaugural event in 2022 the organisers added in a number of new features for this year that proved to be extremely popular. These included the Marine Power Suzuki Angling Zone, GJW Activity Pool, Isuzu & SBS Trailers experiences together with a host of dedicated ambassadors, multiple new brands and increased opportunities for visitor interactions.

Some impressive stats are starting to emerge after doors closed at the end of today:

  • 10 demos were carried out and 200 visitors enjoyed have-a-go sessions on the pool
  • 40 speakers appeared across the two stages - main stage and angling zone
  • 14,000 visitors came to the show over the four days
  • 200+ boats displayed, including power & narrow boats, dinghies, RIBs and water sports
  • 175 exhibitors in total

Feedback from exhibitors has been really positive, with many upbeat comments about the show, the overall atmosphere and the quality of visitors. Many brands have already asked to rebook for 2024 including The Wolf Rock, Seaward, SeaDek, Suzuki, Gibbs, Torqeedo and A Glaze. Media and visitors also sang the praises of SBS BoatLife, and a clear pathway to success is set for the future.

Richard Dove, MD, BoatLife Events Ltd said, "What has struck me is the definite beginnings of the community that we always wanted to create. To see this coming together in only year two is extremely positive. The team has worked incredibly hard on the show, and I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved".

A variety of exhibitors were keen to offer comments to sum up their experience of the past four days at SBS BoatLife:

We are honoured to have been an important part of the event as the headline sponsor to support the growing show. We are looking forward to this being a fixed event in the boating calendar and seeing it go from strength to strength. Andy Wyer, SBS Trailers

It has been extremely valuable for us being here. BoatLife was good, and visitors with genuine interest came here with the purpose to talk to us about our products. We are coming back again. Russel Chadwick, Sleipner

It has been great, we have talked to a lot of people and seen a lot of interest. We launched a new campaign at BoatLife, which went down really well, making it a good place to launch it. It is good to see the show growing and we are definitely coming back. Mark Bealey, Suzuki

SBS BoatLife has been fantastic, there is a really wide range of visitors and a diversity of customers who come to the show. It has been great to see them travel from all over the country. We are excited and will definitely come back. It is really important to be at, and support, shows like this. Andrew Adams, Parker Adams

The show has been great for us, in particular for the Regal brand which we've had good sales for. The show has got great potential. Ben Nicholls, Clipper Marine

The layout of the show is really good. We have had several sales worth over a million pounds. It is absolutely worth coming to BoatLife. Liam Hainsworth, Oakums

The show has been a great place to debut the Sealine S390; we have lots of interest in the brand and also Cranchi. It has been great to see our existing owners and meet new faces. Chris Manners, TBS Boats

It has been a great first show for us, we are so pleased to be here and getting really positive feedback. We have already started talking to the sales team about booking in for next year and bringing the new model N25. Chris Clayton, Seaward Boats

The industry needs to get behind shows like BoatLife, it's very important we don't get too south-coast-centric. The show is extremely diverse in terms of prospect base, anybody who has any national aspirations should be getting involved. We are really, really pleased with the leads we have gained. We have had north of 100 good leads, and over 50 quotes from people I believe will transact this season. It has given us some real energy which we need with our team going into the season. Pete Reeve, Marine Power

It's been a fantastic few days exhibiting at BoatLife. We've had the opportunity to show the new Mercury Avator electric outboard and 400hp V10 to a UK audience, as well as display lots of Zodiac boats and brands from our Marine Equipment portfolio ahead of the new season. Juliet Boyles, EP Barrus

Looking ahead to next year, the show dates have been confirmed as 15-18 February 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham. Further details will follow in due course with some exciting ideas already in the planning to further elevate this amazing event for the boating community.

Related Articles

America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted today at 11:07 am
National Women's Invitational Team Race overall
California team seals the deal in must-win final race Newport Harbor Yacht Club won the 5th edition of the National Women's Invitational Team Race for the Thayer Trophy in dramatic fashion. Posted today at 6:24 am
T. Freytag reigns at A Scow National Championship
Madcap masters madtown in Madison, Wisconsin Thomas Freytag's I-7 Madcap takes the win at the A Scow National Championship in Madison, Wisconsin. Posted today at 6:08 am
Inaugural ORC North American Championship Preview
Fleet is ready to race within the biennial Block Island Race Week Starting tomorrow an assembled fleet of 26 entries divided into three classes will start competing in the first-ever ORC North American Championship, embedded within the 31st edition of the Storm Trysail Club's biennial Block Island Race Week. Posted today at 1:57 am
Something for Everyone
At Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week Steve George is a good sport; after Day 1 Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week he was at the back of the fleet in Random Leg B class but he has a great sense of humor and was quite okay about that, understanding that his luck is in the hands of the universe. Posted on 22 Jun
Transpac 2025 division breaks announced
The race starts are on July 1 & 5 for the different divisions Division breaks announced for the 2025 Transpac taking place in July. Posted on 22 Jun
iQFOiL International Games day 2
Patience rewarded with full-throttle foiling After a long wait for wind yesterday, Day 2 at the iQFOiL International Games delivered exciting racing across all categories at the 2025 Kieler Woche. Posted on 22 Jun
2025 Morgan Cup Race Preview
Over 100 boats expected to be on Yacht Squadron Line with crew competing from 24 different nations The Morgan Cup Race is the tenth race of the RORC Season's Points Championship—the world's largest offshore racing series. It is also the fourth race of the inaugural Cowes Offshore Racing Series. Posted on 22 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 2
The Olympic skiffs sorted themselves into gold and silver fleets after four daily races Subtropical sailing conditions with a light but sufficient breeze delighted the athletes on Sunday (June 22) on the second regatta day of Kieler Woche. Posted on 22 Jun
24th Argentario Sailing Week overall
A nail-biting finish saw last second changes in the overall results making for a perfect final day For the past four days, sailing history has come to life before crowds of enthusiasts, with yachts and sailors who have written its pages battling to claim first place at the Argentario Sailing Week, organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. Posted on 22 Jun
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOMRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERPredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOM