Southampton Boat Show.

Europe's largest purpose built on-water boat show, the Southampton Boat Show, returns this September to Mayflower Park .  The 39 th Southampton Boat Show in association with ITV Meridian takes place from 14-23 September 2007. Perfect for day trippers and enthusiasts alike, the event will see 130,000 people enjoying sailing, boating and activities on and under the water. The Southampton Boat Show is simply the place to be to check out all the latest boating gear or to discover a new hobby.

Attractions

Visitors to the Southampton Boat Show, which has Europe 's largest on-water purpose built marina, can also take the chance to enjoy the thrill of being out on the water with Try-a-Boat. Daring visitors will get to choose from a selection of the latest RIBs, powerboats and yachts with options to suit all levels, whether you're an intrepid beginner or a seasoned professional. 

And don't miss Try-a-Dive, the chance to experience scuba diving for the first time. Just bring a swimsuit - the show will supply the wet suit and friends and family can watch your underwater abilities on TV. Or chat to and learn about the impressive search and rescue operations that both HM Coastguard and RNLI's real life heroes carry out. Both the HM Coastguard and the RNLI will be drawing in the crowds showing how it's done throughout the show.

Visitors to the Southampton Boat Show also get the chance to go on the spectacular marina sponsored by Hydropool. This year, the Hydropool marina has over 370 boats afloat - believed to be the largest number of boats afloat ever at the Southampton Boat show.

Another favourite returning to the Southampton Boat Show is the ever-popular Miss Southampton Boat Show competition. Lovely local ladies or keen boaters will be encouraged to enter the competition that culminates on the final Saturday at the Show, with the lucky winner taking the crown.

HMS Bounty

As Pirates of the Caribbean 3 opened across the country on the 24 th May, the Southampton Boat Show announced that HMS Bounty, one of the film's featured ships, would be a star attraction at the Southampton Boat Show for the duration* in September.

Visitors to the Southampton Boat Show are able to climb on board this historic vessel and learn more about the most infamous mutiny of all time, which saw Fletcher Christian take control of HMS Bounty more than 200 years ago. There will be a self-tour that takes in the exhibition on the mutiny as well as the building of the ship and the crew will be on hand to answer questions.

James Gower, Director of Marketing at NBS comments: "We're delighted that HMS Bounty, a ship of such historical importance as well as a famous movie star, is coming to the Southampton Boat Show. Such an attraction will generate mass appeal, and we're expecting HMS Bounty to prove a real hit with visitors to the show."

Tickets

This year, National Boat Shows has launched a brand new, flexible Combi-ticket deal to offer visitors even greater value than ever before. Visitors can spend two full days at either show, or one day at both shows.

Available now via the ticket hotline on 0870 060 6090 or on the door, this great "combination" ticket deal gives visitors the freedom to choose how they visit the UK 's premier boat shows.

The combi-ticket deal costs just £20 in advance or £25 on the door, giving visitors a saving of £5 over purchasing two separate tickets. Andrew Williams, NBS Managing Director, says: "Our brilliant combi-ticket deal offers great value and flexibility for people interested in visiting both Boat Shows - or simply planning a repeat trip."

Kids Go Free!

This great offer joins the latest combi-ticket deal giving families fantastic value for money. For the first time at the Southampton Boat Show, kids aged 15 and under get free admission - provided they are with a paying adult.

For further details visit www.southamptonboatshow.com

  *excluding Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 September 2007

Images have been reproduced by kind permission of onEdition