With sun, boats, celebrities, and lots of new attractions, the 2011 PSP Southampton International Boat Show looks set to be a winner
The 2011 PSP Southampton International Boat Show got off to a good start at the Sealine launch this morning – the sun was shining, the band was playing, and most importantly for us hacks, the champagne was flowing.
We also got a brief glimpse of the company’s new CEO, James Bursey, as he took to the stage to announce the launch of both the SC42 and the C48.
Over on the Princess stand, MD Chris Gates launched the gigantic 98 Motor Yacht. Princess is also showcasing the Princess 60 at the show, and Chris Gates said that having secured the freehold on its new development site in Plymouth, it also hopes to expand at the smaller end of the scale, including the highly anticipated V39, which will launch at London.
As Robert Braithwaite launched the Manhattan 53 on the Sunseeker Stand, he was joined on board by ‘Mr Formula One’, Eddie Jordan, who announced that not only would he soon add a 53 to his fleet of motorboats, but that he also had his eye on one of the 155-footers that the yard plans to build next year.
And so to the official opening, which this year fell to the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards who marched through the show to Mayflower Park where the opening of the show was announced by celebrity chef, Shaun Rankin, who will be cooking at the show’s new Sea Kitchen Theatre over the 10 days. Rankin is himself a motorboater and he admitted that he has his eye on a couple of boats at the show, although he wouldn’t divulge which ones.
All in all it looks set to be an exciting boat show, now must dash, Fairline is holding a business briefing.
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