sailscotland 2020

Scotland’s Boat Show a ‘roaring success’

 Scotland’s Boat Show 2019

Over 13,000 visitors headed to Scotland’s Boat Show 2019 as the largest Scottish and 2nd largest UK boat show returned to Kip Marina, Inverclyde over the October weekend. The event attracted visitors and exhibitors from across the UK, Ireland and even as far afield as Europe.

in the CalMac Ferries Lifestyle pavilion, the WCS Food & Drink pavilion with local and Scottish food & drink producers together with a series of entertaining cookery demonstrations from the hospitality students of West College Scotland and TV Chef Nick Nairn, pipe bands, children’s play areas and displays of cars and motorcycles from Porsche, Morgan and Harley-Davidson, all adding up to a showcase for Scottish boating, marine tourism and a great free family event. Kip Marina MD Gavin McDonagh said “Once again, thanks to all the Kip staff who put together another very successful boat show, similarly thanks to our sponsors and partners RYA Scotland, West College Scotland, The Herald, The Cruising Association, CalMac Ferries, Inverclyde Council and Dream Yacht Charters. We are proud to be an ambassador for Inverclyde as a destination for visitors and exhibitors from all over the UK promoting Scotland’s world class boating & sailing facilities. The show remains a family event open to everyone that will hopefully inspire our visitors to try taking to the water themselves.” Scotland’s Boat Show 2020 Preparations are already underway for next year’s show which aims to be the biggest yet and takes place on the 9th, 10th & 11th October 2020 with a special evening event on Saturday the 10th October called ‘River of Light’! as part of The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 #ycw2020 Kevin Blamire Scotland’s Boat Show, Inverkip Marina www.scotlandsboatshow.co.uk

Visitors enjoyed a host of attractions, from free on the water training sessions with RYA Scotland, to the latest displays of marine equipment and technology. The buoyant Scottish boating market was in full force, with Michael Schmidt & Partners Brokerage Manager Roseann Sweeney saying, “With over 10 boats sold during the show and a host of strong enquiries to follow up afterwards, Scotland’s Boat Show was absolutely fantastic for us this year!” In the new boat business, Miles Stratton of Inspiration Marine said “It was great to see the good weather back this year and with it we were delighted with the high level of interest in our new Hanses and our latest addition Ballistic RIBS. For us it was a roaring success and we are already looking forward to next year’s show”. The expanded display of powerboats from Marine Sales Scotland attracted many visitors with MD Stan Prosser to saying, “We are delighted being at Scotland’s Boat Show - it was better for us than Southampton this year as we sold five boats during the show. We are happy to support SBS and it is again proving to be the must attend event for boating in Scotland”.

On shore the RYA Scotland pavilion was filled with exhibitors showing the latest trends and developments in boats and equipment including the Scottish debut of the world’s leading charter company, Dream Yacht Charter, whose team were on hand to discuss their bareboat, crewed or by the cabin charters around the world. DYC’s Andy Byham said, “It was an absolute pleasure to be part of this year’s Scotland’s Boat Show. Having met some of the area’s keen sailors and we look forward to welcoming guests to our stand again in 2020”. The Cruising Association returned as sponsor of the CA Stage for SBS2019, providing a popular schedule of fascinating talks and presentations. The CA’s General Manager, Lucy Gray said, “We have enjoyed attending Scotland’s Boat Show for a number of years but were honoured to sponsor the stage in 2019. We hosted a full line up of talks and were impressed, as ever, with the atmosphere and attendance at the show as well as the impeccable organisation. Scotland’s Boat Show is quickly becoming a not-to- miss event in the CA’s calendar and we very much look forward to sponsoring the stage again in 2020”. Elsewhere there were attractions aplenty for visitors away from the boats, including more than 40 designer, art and craft stalls

sail scotland 2020

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