A buoyant boat market?

Peter Poland assesses how new boats at the Southampton International Boat Show reflect the current state of the sail and power markets

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Leading up to the 2022 edition of the Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS), organisers announced that 98% of the exhibitor space had already been filled. This was despite having a larger footprint than ever before. So the signs were good.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of organiser British Marine (BM), described the rate of bookings as “phenomenal” and said: “We’re nearly at capacity, even with an enlarged footprint both on land and water.”

It was also claimed that SIBS takes place at Europe’s largest purpose-built show marina, covering more than 70,000m2, which this year boasted 685 individual stands and berths, and more than 650 craft on display, including 300 boats berthed within the marina alone. The show welcomed 126 new companies and hosted 167 UK and world debuts.

The results of BM’s Boating and Boat Ownership survey for 2020 to 2021, sponsored by Navigators and General, were publicised in the run-up to the show.