North: The largest collection of open boats, luxury cabin yachts and all that is necessary to go on a pleasure boating trip in Belgium’s indoor marina: Flanders expo, Ghent.
North-North-East: The rise of the so-called motor cabin cruisers. Steel and polyester motor boats designed for home comforts and which, in terms of nautical capabilities, are ideal for long touring trips on the European river and canal network. Première of the Linssen Range Cruiser 430 Sedan Variotop, introduction of the Pedro Marin 30 and various other models of motor boats.
East-North-East: Affordable ready-to-use boats. Manufacturers such as Suzuki and Quicksilver are offering boat packages for recreational sailors who use their boats sporadically. Family boat, outboard motor and all accessories for less than €10,000.
East: With 30 specialist sailing and boating holiday operators, the Belgian Boat Show offers the largest selection of sailing and motor cruising trips. These include destinations from Antwerp to the South Pole, sailing in the Antilles, Polynesia and the Mediterranean, sailing with experienced skippers or exploring the tropical islands as part of a flotilla.
East-South-East: Maritime Travel Café: A relaxed gathering of experienced sailing and boating people and anyone who is interested in exchanging experiences. Who has been where and who has an interesting story to tell? North Sea sailors, people cruising the Berlin lakes in motor boats, members of crew having cruised the Virgin Islands …
South-South-East: Start Boating: The Belgian Boat Show is the largest and most direct information platform for beginners. This is the place for start-up schemes, the largest selection of boating and navigation courses and for any details concerning documentation, certificates and safety.
South: Green Label: In watersports, the trend for hybrid drive systems is also on the up. The Greenline 33’ Hybrid is a prime example of the many yachts that are now both driven by an economical diesel engine as well as by electricity (solar panels). The as yet unseen Fineliner is also available with hybrid drive.
South-South-West: Speed is of the essence. A range of so-called American sports boats are experiencing their Belgian or Low Countries premiere: Cobalt, SeaRay, Azure, Mastercraft, Tahoe, Four Winns, Bayliner, Campion, Monterey, and many more. These makes offer comfort, boating safety, performance and a superlative ‘yachting-like lifestyle’.
West-South-West: Wakeboarding: Always higher and higher. Boat manufacturers, such as Tigé and Mastercraft, are turning up with impressive new models, suitable for tackling the highest jumps on massive stern waves. The boats can also be adjusted in such a way so as not to cause even a ripple on the water, despite the acceleration power that is required for enabling traditional waterskiing in their wake.
West: Day Sailing Boats. What is a complete novelty for Belgium is the success of open stern sailboats: the Tofinou 12 metre, designed by Philippe Starck, the Lincq 6 for sporty raggers, the Randmeer for sailing schools and family sailors, the Saffier for those who are looking for added value. A welcome addition to the cabin sailing yachts Dufour and Jeanneau. You can even take the Xc-50 on a world trip.
West-North-West: RIBS available in all sizes. These hard bottomed semi-inflatables remain the success stories on the sea. The Buzzi 34 is a devil of a seacraft with a speed of up to 120 km/hr. The Capelli is a combination of a sports boat, but which also provides extensive room for play when quietly moored up. The Zodiac family is simply breath-taking: it transforms from fold-up car boot size into an ocean-faring rescue boat. Quicksilver offers quite a number of ready-to-use models for skippers who are just starting out.
North-North-West: Experience the water. At the Maritime Café, on Saturday from 12.00-17 hrs, experienced skippers are meeting with anyone who is interested in boating and sailing trips. In-between a snack and a drink, sailors and motor boating people will be recounting their stories of where they have been, what great mooring places they have found and where to find the greatest shops and coffee terraces. They will turn up with their sailing maps, sailing guides and their photos and video material. There is no better source of information than he or she who has dropped anchor, whether this be along the North Sea coast, along a Polynesian island or a lake in Dutch Friesland.
Belgian Boat Show
12-14th and 18-20th February 2011
