HONDA SIBS ROUND UP
From humble beginnings to a 50th anniversary spectacular
Welcome to the 50th Southampton International Boat Show! Here at Honda, we are proud to continue our long association with this landmark event and we hope you will come and see us to enjoy some Honda highlights between now and September 23. You can’t miss us – we’re in the Mayflower Park village area.
There’s lots to see and do this year and with dry weather and warm temperatures forecast, you should only need your waterproofs if you head out on the water.
Now called TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show, it is Britain’s biggest and best boating festival, showcasing boats of all sizes and products from more than 600 marine specialists. This year sees more than 100 product debuts and boasts more than 500 exhibitors.
The event will mark its 50th year with a celebration of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 1969, with his record-breaking craft Suhaili taking centre stage. Keep your cameras handy to spot sports stars and celebrities throughout the ten days and if you need refreshments, there are plenty of places to head for. We’re rather fond of the 1960s-themed Guinness bar!
Remember too, that if you are celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary between September 14-23 you get free entry this year!
Over the past 50 years, the show has recorded some memorable highlights. Here are a few:
1969
The Southampton Boat Show is born, when Norman Kemish and Arthur Gale launch the inaugural six-day event with 50 exhibitors, a handful of boats and a 50p entrance fee.
1980
The star attraction was a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind on the 400th anniversary of his three-year circumnavigation of the world.
1981
Gale-force winds of more than 55mph ripped through the show on its final day, sending guests and exhibitors running for cover and flattening the Ocean Hall.
1988
After 19 years at the helm, show founders Arthur and Norman handed over the reins to British Marine. The show expanded dramatically this year with 254 boats on display.
1993
The 25th anniversary event drew a star-studded list of VIPs including Princess Anne and F1 world champion Nigel Mansell.
1997
Parliament granted permission for the show to be extended from nine to ten days.
2002
A replica of Captain Cook’s 18th century square-rigger Endeavour stole the show as it moored alongside the Marina.
2012
Our gold medal-laden Olympic and Paralympic sailing Team GB, fresh from the London games, were the star guests.
2017
The first free boat trips on the Solent were introduced and 15,000 people took to the water throughout the 10 days.
Here's to this year – happy anniversary Boat Show!
NSX supercar concept engine takes to the water
Cars are rightly in the minority at the Southampton International Boat Show – but we think our celebrated NSX sports car deserves to be there after it inspired a concept outboard engine. You can see them both when you visit us at stand E070, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Our nautical NSX spin-off engine has been designed by those clever people at the Honda Advanced Design Group and we’re not too modest to say it’s a thing of rare beauty, with its winged blade and honeycomb mesh a direct ‘steal’ from the road car. It has even been stretched to make it taller and sleeker and is the same Nouvelle Blue Pearl as used on the car.
Honda Marine’s Assistant Vice President Will Walton explained what the thinking was behind the concept engine: "The inspiration for the design was driven by the feeling you get when at the helm of a powerful boat on the water – the rush of excitement, the exhilaration and freedom, the feeling that hits you immediately with the boat at full throttle."
The engine is not on the market, but if you like the look of the car, the new NSX – with its twin turbo, 3.6 litre V6 engine – is made with a human touch in a high-tech world and has attracted rave reviews from the motoring press. As one auto journalist said, it ‘cuts the air like a Hattori Hanzo blade’.
The first NSX made its debut in 1990 and took the motoring world by storm. Our team spent years in painstaking planning and development at our Performance Centre in Marysville, Ohio, before the latest incarnation went into production, all hand-built with the exception of the chassis and paint process. It retails at £142,355, but if you fancy starting a racing team, the track version could be yours for around £416,000!
Find out more by visiting us at E070, right next to the Sunseeker stand. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
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