London Boat Show: Marlin’s Mission on stage

Katy Stickland

PBO columnist Dave Selby will be appearing in the PBO Theatre at the London Boat Show to talk about Marlin’s Mission and sign copies of his new book, The Impractical Boat Owner.

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20 November 2017

PBO columnist Dave Selby will be talking about sailing on a budget when he takes to the PBO Theatre stage at the London Boat Show, which runs from 10-14 January.

The sailor will also be talking about Marlin’s Mission and signing copies of his new book, The Impractical Boat Owner.

Last year, Selby sailed Marlin, his 18ft boat, 340 miles from the east coast to exhibit his 40-year-old Sailfish at the Southampton Boat Show.

He wanted to demonstrate that in this day and age, sailing has never been more affordable and accessible.

‘Everyone who doesn’t sail thinks it’s hugely expensive and exclusive,’ said Selby.

‘The fact is there’s an ever growing fleet of good old fibre-glass boats and they’re getting cheaper all the time. For a tiny outlay, certainly a lot less than a single holiday, you can buy a boat that will open up a world of adventure and give you holidays of a life-time, for a life-time,” he added.

Selby will be talking about his bg small-boat adventure on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 January at the London Boat Show.

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He will also be showing visitors how to get afloat affordably, with examples of some of the great sailing boat bargains at the budget end of the market.

Selby will also be talking about the life-changing events that inspired his adventure.

In 2012, he was struck down by a rare viral condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, where the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells.

‘Far from holding me back, it gave me the drive for what became one of the richest experiences of my life,’ noted Selby.

To date, the PBO columnist has raised over £9,000 for the charity (gaincharity.org.uk) that funds research into this rare illness and provides support for those with it.

The Practical Boat Owner Theatre is at stand LB012. Sailing personalities and equipment experts will be presenting illustrated talks throughout the five days, targeted at practical cruising sailors of all levels.

Other confirmed speakers include the pilot book author, Rod Heikell, and Stokey Woodall, the renowned celestial navigator.

PBO columnists Sam Llewellyn and Stuart Davies, long with PBO’s editor, Rob Melotti, will also be on the stage.

24 October 2017

British Marine has announced that the London Boat Show 2018 will have “more companies and brands than at previous recent shows”, giving a “fuller experience” to visitors.

Earlier this year, organisers revealed the event at ExCel in London would be five days rather than the usual 10 days as a result of feedback from both visitors and exhibitors.

British Marine is now reporting the new format is providing popular with industry, with a variety of new exhibitors enquiring to take part.

It said around 162 companies, which didn’t exhibit during the London Boat Show 2017, have enquired about exhibiting at the forthcoming event, which will also include two other sister shows – The Boating & Watersports Holiday Show and Bespoke London.

“Significant changes to the show, specifically the new five-day format and broadening the appeal of the show to new audiences, have sparked this interest,” said a spokesman for British Marine.

It said to date, exhibitor numbers for the 2018 event – either those who have signed contracts or are having significant, detailed conversations about being present – match the total numbers at the London Boat Show 2017.

These include recent sign ups such as Andark, Hobie Cat, Sail Ionian and Arba Nautika.

British Marine stressed the London Boat Show will take centre stage at ExCel London, with the many boats on display being the stars of the show.

It said the new Boating & Watersports Holiday Show has also delivered “real interest” from the likes of Sunsail, Sailing Holidays and DI Yachting. It believes the holiday show will attract a new audience “offering further marketing opportunities” during January – the traditional prime holiday booking period.

Meanwhile, Bespoke London has been repositioned as a feature element within the London Boat Show, centred around a champagne bar with a complementary retail experience.

This is to allow for more boats and marine exhibitors at ExCel.

Among the attractions at the London Boat Show are:

  • The Lock & Waterside Pub celebrates the inland network and the Broads in Norfolk whilst the Beach Club & Activity Pool give visitors the chance to learn the art of dinghy sailing, kayaking or Stand Up Paddleboarding;
  • The Legends Theatre and Practical Boating Theatre provide expert advice, live and practical demonstrations plus the chance to see, hear and meet the legends of the sailing world;
  • The show’s signature bar, the Black & White Bar returns, alongside the all-new Yachtsman’s Bar;
  • Bespoke London offers visitors the chance to enjoy an element of luxury whilst indulging in a glass of champagne

The London Boat Show 2018 will run from Wednesday, 10 January to Sunday, 14 January.