With highly varnished wooden decks, shiny sleek hulls, coloured sails on gaff rigs and traditional brass fittings, classic boats are always a much-loved feature at a boat show.
New for this year’s Southampton International Boat Show, is a dedicated Classic and Day Boat Zone, where visitors can see a myriad of craft all in one place, from new day boat designs to beautifully restored classics.
“The Classic and Day Boat Zone is for the boat lover and enthusiast,” says British Marine’s CEO Lesley Robinson, “It’s where age old skills of craftsmanship and restoration combine and where owners, builders, riggers, and enthusiasts all get together to show off their craft, display their skills, share stories, and plan their next adventures. It’s the place where you’ll see some of the real characters of the boating world, there’s bound to be sea shanties, splicing displays, fettling, and lots of laughter!”
Amongst displays from British boat-builders is a Cornish Crabbers Shrimper 21, a classic design yacht featuring modern technology with an all-electric pod drive motor from ePropulsion with a carbon mast. Historic gems on show include the fully restored 1946 Osbourne Day Cruiser from Dennett Boat Builders, alongside Star Yachts’ brand-new Bristol 6m open launch, a retro styled wooden yacht with an integral swim platform.
For those who marvel at traditional woodworking skills, Willow Bay Boats will be demonstrating their craftsmanship by building a clinker dinghy on their stand, which will be created over the ten days of the show alongside a completed Farthing sailing dinghy.
Combining the charm of the look of a traditional yacht with high performance sailing and impressive motoring ability, Swallow Yachts will be displaying the BayCruiser 23 and BayRaider Expedition in the Classic and Day Boat Zone. By using a water ballast system and carbon masts, Swallow Boats are light, yet stable on the water and, as trailer-sailors, they enable owners to easily travel and sail in many different places.
This year also welcomes a number of much-loved boat-owners’ groups and associations to the show, including the Atalanta, Legend, Nicholson 32, Hunter, Westerly and Old Gaffers Association, who are displaying a modern gaffer – the Gaffling – a 13ft 13in modern interpretation of a gaff rig from designer Andrew Wolstenholme.
With its myriad of beautiful craft, with plenty to see, do, learn and try, the Classic and Day Boat Zone is sure to be a key attraction at the show. Visitors can rest their feet while listening to a range of varied and interesting talks on the Foredeck Stage, and meet with friends old and new on the nearby Festival Green with its choice of tasty and high-quality premium street food offerings and music playing into the early evening.
If viewing boats is not enough, then there’s the chance to have a go on the water in some historic and restored craft including the 1919 Tall Ship Morgenster, and famous round the world 72ft racing yacht, Global Challenger.
The show is open from 9.30am to 6.00pm, with the Festival Green area remaining open to enjoy refreshments, food and entertainment until 9.30pm each evening. Tickets are available now to purchase online at www.southamptonboatshow.com
