This four-day event occurs each May, featuring over 80 boats for sale from 50 leading industry brands in a format that emphasizes personal service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Offering a relaxed environment away from bustling crowds, the British Motor Yacht Show represents an innovative break from the traditional standards of boat shows, where registered visitors can meet with exhibitors and explore a wide range of motor boats, day boats, and tenders for sale.
British Motor Yacht Show Layout
With Southampton being globally renowned as one of the on-water hotspots in the UK, it comes as no surprise that the many prestigious shipbuilders regularly attend the British boat show.
Divided across key display areas throughout Swanwick Marina, the layout of the British Motor Yacht Show is clear and clean-cut, allowing for seamless movement around the pontoons and plenty of space to explore each of the attending motor yachts.
Founding Brands’ Displays - Princess, Fairline, and Sunseeker dominate the waterfront zones in this dedicated area of the show, often with their flagship models. These areas typically offer VIP walkthroughs and onboard appointments with shipyard representatives and brokers.
New and Returning Brands - Exhibitors are grouped by category (luxury cruisers, sports yachts, multihulls) and aligned along pontoons and boardwalks for easy browsing. Many well-known names and brands can be found in this zone, including the likes of Prestige, Saxdor, Galeon, Axopar, Cockwells, and Fleming Yachts.
On-Land Exhibitors - A broad display of equipment suppliers, marine electronics brands (such as Raymarine and Garmin), plus yacht financing services near the entrance and hospitality areas.
Yachts on Show at the British Motor Yacht Show
Hosted in an award-winning Premier Marina, the British Motor Yacht Show continues to impress crowds year after year with an enticing ensemble of production yachts and the latest technologies hitting the market.
With all the brands hosting their own fully stocked exhibits throughout the event each year, visitors can expect to see a broad range of motor yachts that meet a variety of requirements. Whether you're looking for a speedy RIB tender, or the latest sportsbridge for sale, there's something for everyone.
Over the years, the British Motor Yacht Show has played host to many debuts and exciting launches. In 2020, Princess stole the show by revealing their all-new R Class, and Sunseeker chose the event as a platform to present the world premiere of the Sunseeker 95 Yacht.
In recent events, the Pearl 63 and the Bavaria SR35 HT made their UK debuts in 2025, as well as the UK premiere of the Pardo GT52 in 2024.
Tickets and Access for the British Motor Yacht Show
Entry to the British Motor Yacht Show is complimentary, but visitors need to complete a brief registration form to receive a pass. This form includes fields for personal details and the reason for attending (e.g., to buy a boat, browse, or meet exhibitors).
The show operates primarily on an appointment-only basis. During registration, visitors can express interest in specific yacht brands to ensure personalized meetings and private viewings can be arranged.
British Motor Yacht Show Highlights
In addition to the plethora of motor yachts and sailing boats at the show, the British Motor Yacht Show provides ample opportunities to mix with other like-minded individuals around the show.
Exclusive Q & A sessions are held throughout the show, along with a curated collection of exhibitors tailored towards the premium nautical market offering a range of merchandise, advice on engines, maintenance, and services, and the latest watersports equipment.
For visitors who also harness a passion for automobiles, the British Motor Yacht Show proudly showcases an exquisite selection of premium cars with indulgent displays from well-known brands such as Bentley.
Hospitality at the British Motor Yacht Show
Keeping the buzz flowing around the docks, a curated collection of gourmet food trucks offers everything from handcrafted burgers and fresh-off-the-boat seafood to plant-based dishes packed with flavour. For those looking to toast the day in style, the Champagne & Sparkling Wine Garden adds more indulgence to the boat show experience. A pop-up espresso and gelato bar also presents a sweet treat for families and yacht-hoppers alike.
For an even more tailored day at Southampton, pre-registered VIP visitors can access private lounges, arrange one-to-one sessions with interior stylists, and have the chance to step aboard skippered demos—ideal for getting a true feel for the exhibiting yachts for sale. Around the marina, quiet seating areas overlook the water, offering the perfect spot to recharge and take in the atmosphere.
Interested in attending the British Motor Yacht Show? Find all the inspiration you need before attending the event by viewing all yachts for sale globally, tracked through YachtBuyer MarketWatch, with only real listings—no fake options to waste your time.
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