ORGANISERS who had to call off a boat show in Southampton at the last minute this year are planning to bring two events to the city in 2021.

MDL Marinas says it is “demonstrating its confidence in the power of regional marine shows” by announcing four of them across the south for next year.

Two will be at the company’s Ocean Village Marina – the South Coast Boat Show from May 7-9 and the Ocean Village Boat Show from September 10-19.

The others are the Thames Valley Boat Show at Penton Hook Marina in Surrey, from April 9-11, and the Green Tech Boat Show, at Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth, from June 19-20.

Tim Mayer, MDL’s sales and marketing director, said: “The enthusiasm and feedback from past regional boat shows, and the positive response to the planned events, indicates an appetite from both exhibitors and visitors for smaller, more buyer focused events.

“With the locations and facilities of our marinas, we’re ideally situated to offer these shows to the marine industry and the boating public.”

Boat show due to be held in Southampton is postponed

The South Coast Boat Show had to be postponed this summer, while the Ocean Village Boat Show was cancelled on the eve of the event, at the instruction of Southampton City Council. Boats 2020, a replacement for the Southampton International Boat Show arranged by British Marine, was cancelled at the same time.

Southampton's boat show Boats2020 cancelled due to Covid

MDL had described the cancellation, over Covid safety concerns, as “devastating”.

“We are naturally very disappointed for all of our exhibitors, and visitors, who have all made significant investments into the show – whether to bring wonderful power and sail boats, or to travel to the city to look at a boat,” said Mr Mayer at the time.

MDL said of the 2021 events: “Guided by Raymarine, the South Coast Boat Show features the marine industry’s most exciting and innovative global power and sail brands.

“A must for serious buyers, exhibitors already confirmed include: Jeanneau, Fountaine Pajot catamarans, Halberg Rassy and Grand Inflatable Boats.

“Undeterred by the disappointment of its last minute cancellation this year, the Ocean Village Boat Show will showcase an extensive line up of motorboats, RIBs and sailing yachts, featuring something for anyone looking to purchase a brand-new vessel ready for the 2022 season.”