As we countdown to the season-opening RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show next month (22 – 23 February), we’re taking a look at some of the boat and sails packages to explore around the stands at Farnborough International.
Whether you’re on the lookout for a first boat for the kids, a cruising dinghy for the family or a new high-performance craft ready for the racing season, the wide range of boat retailers will have you covered. Here are some top boat picks to look out for at this year’s show.
Be laser-focused with ILCA deals
The ILCA dinghy is raced the world over by young and old alike, from club racing all the way up to the Olympics. It’s a challenging boat that rewards athleticism, subtle steering and trimming techniques.
Sailingfast (stand 168) offers ILCAs made by World Sailing-approved builders: UK-based Ovington Boats and Element 6 Evolution. Both builders were chosen to supply boats to the Paris Olympics – a testament to the build quality and reliability. You can chat to the Sailingfast team about your new ILCA needs at the show.
On stand 314, Performance Sailcraft Europe has developed the ILCA Elite series following feedback from successful ILCA sailors from around the globe. The Elite series boats are taken to the next level with upgrades from the PSA Race series including Carbon Upper, Carbon Tiller and Extension and full Harken rigging, providing a package with everything you need to get you onto the water. All ILCA approved components come complete with the ILCA QR Code and the hull includes the World Sailing ILCA plaque. It comes with stackable launching trolley, top cover and combi bag and with a choice of rig size.
Get your Goat
A popular pick for junior racers, look out for Goat Marine’s Topper with Allen Race fitout (stand 4). A high-performance dinghy tailored for competitive sailors, it features precision-engineered Allen fittings, enhancing control and durability. This lightweight, single-handed boat offers outstanding manoeuvrability and speed. Ideal for racing, it combines ease of handling with advanced rigging for an optimised sailing experience.
You can also check out the new Solo on the Goat Marine stand, which promises to push the limits of Solo design to provide a hull that performs well with any skill, size and shape sailor with no compromise.
If you prefer to sail in company, Goat will be showcasing the Aigos – a new high-performance two-person hiking boat designed for speed, control and durability. It features an asymmetric spinnaker, centre main, and a 30m² sail area, with a carbon hull and deck for added stiffness and longevity. Equipped with a purpose-built mast and boom, anodised aluminium fittings, quality rigging by Allen Brothers and Robline, it ensures optimal performance. The ultra-fast hull design, deep chine and lightweight sails by Pinnell & Bax make it ideal for high-performance sailing, while the made in-house carbon tiller and tiller extension, ergonomic layout, and comfortable hiking positions enhance usability.
Also for the double-handers, check out Ovington Boats’ new VX Two which promises to be a game changer in the two-person hiking skiff market, achieving new speed levels at such ease, no matter what point of sailing.
Equipped with a fully battened square-top main, asymmetric spinnaker, easy-to-use controls and simple systems, this sailing dinghy is beautifully balanced to provide a near-perfect handling experience. See for yourself on stand 66.
Single-handed solutions
The RS Aero is now in its 11th year, and ignites the pure excitement of sailing in its least complicated form. With four rig sizes enabling youth, women and men to enjoy the ride, and with new boat pricing starting at under £8,000, it offers exceptional value, too. Find out for yourself on stand 138.
As the swarm prepares to descend on UK waters with a bumper entry expected at the WASZP Games in Weymouth & Portland this summer, maybe you’ll be inspired to join the largest single-handed foiling fleet in the world? You can pick up a complete WASZP boat package for a special WASZP Games price from Sailingfast (stand 168) during the show.
Hartley Boats will be showcasing two lightweight dinghies at the show, including the introduction of the Zenith, on stand 204.
Hartley’s first-ever lightweight single-handed dinghy, the Zenith features an innovative ballasted centreboard. Designed to be light enough for easy launching like a traditional racing dinghy, it also boasts a deep cockpit that ensures you stay comfortably upright, never on your knees. With a perfect balance of comfort and high performance, it’s built to deliver an exceptional sailing experience at its peak.
Also check out the Phil Morrison-designed Nova on the Hartley stand. This lightweight and exhilarating dinghy is ideal for sailors weighing between 48-70kg. Combining exceptional stability with high performance, it offers the perfect balance of comfort and excitement on the water.
Exciting yet stable, simple yet advanced, high-quality yet low-priced – take a look at the the D-Zero from Devoti which boasts simple controls and invites fun racing for every age and gender, and a great social scene. Find out more from the D-Zero Class Association on stand 10.
Buy show tickets today
You can check out the full list of boat retailers who’ll be exhibiting at this year’s show.
Tickets are on sale now, and RYA Members can access a complimentary ticket worth £21 for one or both days of the event, while kids aged 15 and under go free!
Book your tickets at dinghyshow.org.uk and follow on socials @RYADinghyShow
