Where to Buy A Boat

Buying a boat maybe one of the biggest expenses that a person may have, second only to buying a house. Therefore it is important that as much research takes place before you make the final decision on which boat to buy. Boat Shows are an excellent place to view a wide variety of boats and find out the appropriate information to help you make an informed decision.Some of the major boat shows are listed below.

The Major UK Boat Shows

Southampton Boat Show - 12th - 21st September 2008

Address: Southampton Boat Show, Mayflower Park, Southampton SO15 1HJ

Admission prices are still to be arranged. Concession rates are available. Discounts are offered on advance sales.
Visit the Southampton Boat Show website for further information, www.southamptonboatshow.com

London Boat Show - 11th-20th January 2008

Address: ExCeL in London's Docklands

Admission prices range are £15.00 (£12.50 in advance) for an adult and children 15 or under are free. Concession rates are available. For further details see our London Boat Show 2008 page.

The London Boat Show will be held from 11-20 January 2008 at ExCeL London.

Afloat: The Affordable Boat Show- 1st - 4th February 2007

This is in conjunction with the Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show, and is a new boating show at the SECC in Glasgow.

There is a whole array of watercraft on offer from dinghies, speedboats, RIB's, fishing boats, jet skis, PWC's, canoes, windsurfing and much much more. Alfoat: The Affordable Boat Show targets watersports and boating enthusiasts with an array of watercraft with a price ceiling of £35,000.  It is a show to appeal to the beginner boater or anyone looking to spend time on the water.

Admission prices are £8.00 for an adult, children under 15 are free. Discounts are available for advance bookings.
More information can be obtained from www.caravanshows.com/scotoutdoorleisure.

National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show - 19th-24th February 2008 - NEC Birmingham

The National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show takes place in Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the Pavilion Hall of the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from Tuesday 19th February to Sunday 24th February 2008.

Admission prices are as follows

Concession rates are available. Discounts are available if you book in advance. For further information visit the website, www.boatandcaravan.co.uk.

RYA Dinghy Sailing Show- 1st - 2nd March 2008

Great Hall, West Hall & Panorama Room Alexandra Palace, London.

The RYA Dinghy Sailing Show is on the 4 - 5 March 2006 at Alexandra
Palace, London, in association with Yachts and Yachting. With over 100
boats on display as well as equipment, clothing, talks and workshops,
it's the biggest show in the UK dedicated to dinghy sailing. More information can be found on www.dinghysailingshow.org.uk. Or visit the main RYA site at www.rya.org.uk.

South Wales Boat Show - 13th - 15th June 2008

Margam Park, near Port Talbot, South Wales.

The Biggest Marine Event in Wales - www.southwalesboatshow.co.uk

Show Opening Times

Boat Brokerage

If you are unsure about whether to buy a used or a new boat it would probably be worth your while contacting a boat broker in the area in which you wish to sail. In order to do this it may be worth your while contacting a local sailing club to see if they could recommend one. Be wary of brokers who tell you of other people who are interested in the boat you are looking at, this is probably only a sales ploy. There is a directory of Boat Brokers on the Yachting and Boating World website www.ybw.com.