The boat show season continues in strong style, with a sunny opening to
Southampton. The temporary site in Mayflower Park was thronged, with some seriously big boats on display in the pop-up marina.
First up was
Spirit Yachts, which was briefing the press on its stupendous new Spirit 111, on which work began this May, with completion scheduled for summer 2019. She is a blend of old and new, with wooden hull, but carbon spars, hydraulic winches and no doubt a full wardrobe of carbon sails.
Then there was
Discovery Yachts, the UK-based bluewater cruising specialist that has recently swallowed the long-defunct Southerly Yachts. Founders John and Caroline Charnley were finally launching the dream catamaran that they set up the company to build for them. The new Bluewater 50 is complete with cockpit hot tub, in Discovery style, and they are at last sailing her away to the Pacific - my best wishes go with them.
And a flourishing new addition to the sharing economy was there in the form of
Borrow a Boat, which aims to become the Airbnb of yachting. Book any boat for a day or more - typically at much better rates than are available from the big companies.
Several yachts saw their first show outing anywhere in the world at this year's SBS, including the all-new Hanse 418 and 548; Oceanis 51.1; Southerly 540; Sun Odyssey 440;
Other launches included: Dufour 460 Grand Large; J/112E Grand Prix version; Sedna 26; and a host of motorboats and RIBs.
