7/8/2026
Buying your first boat is exciting, but it can also feel like entering a whole new world. Sail or power? New or pre-owned? Marina berth, trailer or dry stack? And what should you budget for once the boat is yours?
The reassuring answer is that you don’t need to work everything out before you start looking. Southampton International Boat Show is the ideal place to explore – compare boats side by side, step aboard different models, speak directly to marine experts and, importantly, get out on the water.
Start with the boating life you want
Before worrying about brands or specifications, think about what a good day on the water looks like for you.
Are you imagining family trips, fishing, watersports, coastal weekends or longer sailing adventures? How many people would usually be aboard? Would you need overnight accommodation or lots of storage? Do you want something that can be trailered home, or would you keep it at a marina?
A rough picture of how you will use your boat helps exhibitors point you towards models that genuinely suit your plans.
Compare several types of boat
One of the biggest advantages of SIBS is the variety. The 2026 line-up stretches from compact craft, inflatables and RIBs to sailing yachts, motor cruisers and catamarans.
First-time buyers can explore boats such as the lightweight Mini Fisher Classic, the inflatable Boatworld Cruiser 320 and Carbon Pro 330, the Ockelbo 21 and the Quarken 27 T-Top, before comparing them with larger models elsewhere in the marina.
Pay attention to the practical details. Is it easy to get aboard and move around? Is there enough seating and storage? How is the view from the helm? Would the layout work for children, guests, pets or the kit you plan to carry?
Take photos and notes as you go. After your fifth cockpit, it becomes surprisingly easy to forget which clever storage space belonged to which boat.
Try before you buy with Try-a-Boat
Looking from the pontoon is useful. Feeling how a boat moves on the water is even better.
Try-a-Boat is included in the show ticket and gives visitors the chance to experience different boats with expert support. The 2026 line-up includes an Axopar 37, Sun Odyssey 319, Highfield 700 Sport RIB, Hanse sailing yachts, a Jeanneau NC11 and UKSA J/80.
Availability varies, so check the latest information when planning your day. Even when the boat you try isn’t one you would buy, the experience can help you understand the difference between sail and power, open and enclosed layouts, or relaxed cruising and something more performance-led.
The show also offers paddleboarding and kayaking with Rockley Watersports, plus accessible powerboating through Wetwheels – a useful reminder that getting onto the water doesn’t have to begin with ownership.
Learn from people who already own boats
Make time for the Boating Stage. A particularly useful session for newcomers is The Route to Boat Ownership: Sailing on a Budget, presented by the Westerly Owners Association on 19, 21, 25 and 27 September.
The session looks at the older GRP boats available at relatively modest prices, alongside storage and mooring choices, maintenance costs and ways to begin sailing without an enormous budget.
You don’t need to become an expert in one visit, but hearing experienced boaters discuss the realities of ownership will help you ask better questions.
Ask about the full cost
The purchase price is only part of the picture. Ask about mooring or storage, insurance, servicing, fuel, winter maintenance, safety equipment and training.
If the boat is trailerable, include the trailer, towing requirements and launch arrangements in your calculations. Ask what is included in the quoted price too, as essentials such as electronics, covers and safety equipment may need to be added.
Across the show, you’ll find boat dealers, equipment specialists, insurers, marinas, training organisations and owner associations. Rather than trying to solve everything alone, use their expertise to begin building a realistic ownership plan.
The RNLI team will also be at the show sharing practical advice on staying safe on and around the water. Safety might not be the most glamorous item on your shopping list, but understanding the right equipment, training and preparation is an essential part of confident boat ownership.
There are no silly questions. A good marine business should be willing to explain the essentials clearly rather than overwhelm you with jargon.
Leave with a shortlist, not pressure
Your visit doesn’t have to end with a signed order form. A successful first day at SIBS might simply mean leaving with two or three possible boats, a realistic idea of ongoing costs and one clear next step.
That could be arranging a sea trial, booking an RYA course, speaking to a local marina, exploring a boat club or researching carefully chosen pre-owned options.
Come curious, ask plenty of questions and wear comfortable shoes!
Secure your tickets here: https://southamptonboatshow.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
