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Belgian Boat Show starts recreation boating season

For 20 editions, the Belgian Boat Show has been the kick-starter of the watersports, water recreation and water tourism sectors in Belgium. The fair is more than just a meeting point for the professional industry, for which it provides a stimulus of unsurpassed magnitude. As an event, the Belgian Boat Show marks the most explicit start of the watersports season each year, and it is a versatile promoter of all activities that fall under this name.

All points of the compass, all types of boats, and all facets

This will all hold true again for the 20th edition. With the ambition of accommodating the rising trend in the market in no fewer than seven halls at Flanders Expo and the promise that not only the largest deluxe motor yachts, with lengths of more than 20 metres, but also the smallest inflatables with a length of 2 metres will be on display, the Belgian Boat Show continues to set the tone in the sector.

There is also lots of room for an extremely wide spectrum of accessories, clothing, motors, and an impressive range of services. This starts with various government organisations, continues with sailing and boating schools, and ends with agents, insurance companies and financial institutions. Naturally, our sponsor Fortis Yachtservices occupies a prominent place in this picture. By attracting a very complete range of commercial and non-profit exhibitors, the Belgian Boat Show meets not only the needs of a loyal public that is already familiar with watersports and amounts to half of our visitors, but also the other half consisting of interested persons who want to venture their first steps into the world of watersports.

The Belgian Boat Show is clearly connected to the rising trend in the watersports market

There are many indications that the watersports industry is experiencing a boom. The demand for yacht berths remains high, so much so that dealers find that yacht sales are dependent on the guarantee of a berth in a marina somewhere.

A rising trend can be seen in the activities of watersports clubs and the size of their memberships. The demand for training courses is also increasing, although not always with the expectation of taking an exam. Beside the luxury of exceptionally glamorous super-yachts, the coming Belgian Boat Show also devotes considerable attention to smaller boats, including inflatables, canoes and kayaks, open recreational sailboats, and even second-hand yachts sold via professional agents.

Another important signal comes from the financial world: the demand for loans and similar arrangements, such as leasing, has increased markedly.

A few special topics for 2008 at a glance:

The most representative selection of motor yachts, including fast sports boats, boats specifically designed for water skiing and wake boarding, seagoing sports fishing boats, small boats for anglers on calm water, cabin cruisers for touring on inland waterways, and luxury yachts with lengths of 50, 60, and 70 feet. Never before have such large motor yachts been on display. The stars of the show in 2008 are inflatable boats and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs).

The most representative selection of cabin sailboats, ranging from sporty cruiser/racers to touring boats designed strictly for comfort.

The latest gadgets for digital communication and digital navigation. On-board Internet and television, even in the middle of the ocean.

A full spectrum of inboard and outboard motors. This ranges from simple, light motors for small dinghies to super-high-performance motors for water skiing, which is enormously popular in this country.

The most advanced recreational accessories, including radio and satellite beacons, comfortable automatic lifesaving vests, rescue rafts, flares, man-overboard location systems, and so on.

The largest and most representative range of specialised sailing and boating holidays (motor and sailboat rentals everywhere in the world and here along our coast, and chartering with a skipper).

A highly representative selection of boating and navigation schools for novice motorboat and sailboat skippers.

An expanded Waterfun programme in cooperation with BLOSO and the watersports organisations for sailing, canoeing & kayaking, deep-sea diving, rescue swimming, beach sailing, water skiing & wakeboarding, etc. Beginners’ instruction on an indoor water surface.

Waterfun for adults: introductory activities tailored to a more mature age.

Special theme workshops (safety, digital communication, digital marine navigation, meteorology for watersports participants, etc.) and special theme days, such as the successful Ladies’ Day on Valentine’s Day (14 February).

One-Design Island: presentation of the many one-design sailboat classes in anticipation of the Olympic Games; sporty, competitive, recreational and training programmes amidst a wealth of new boat designs.

Starters Route: information specifically aimed at beginners in the various types of watersports.

Posted In: Boat Shows on January 21, 2008 Comments (662)

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