Hundreds of exhibitors and boats are beginning to converge on the Italian port of Genoa as the final countdown to the 51st International Boat Show gets underway. The show, which opens Saturday, October 1, is among the largest boat shows in the world and traditionally opens the boat show calendar.
With some 2,000 boats on display, Genoa prides itself on being the most ‘complete’ boat show on the agenda, with the town being turned into a festival of sailing for the period.
This year, organizers have chosen to brand the associated events in the town ‘GenovaInBlu’, a mark which will be displayed at different venues playing host to the boat show’s ‘fringe’, including shows, exhibitions, cocktail parties, and concerts.
Of course, for boat lovers, much of the action will be concentrated on the fairground, where some 450 premieres from the world’s biggest shipyards are expected.
The largest flagship of this year’s show will be the CBI 50 ‘Alfos’, a 50 meter yacht, although there will be a dedicated mega-yacht area which is expected to boast some 30 boats with sizes up to 50 meters.
For those with more modest tastes, the show will feature everything from canoes to inflatables, as well as a section devoted to components and accessories and special activities for youngsters, including courses and practice basins.
For the first time, grown-up sailors will also get a chance to practice, thanks to the addition of a new sea trial area, where shipyards will have a chance to let customers test 25 boasts, ranging between 12 and 25 meters.
The Genoa International Boat Show runs October 1-9, tickets are €15 (€12 concessions).