Southampton Boat Show Preview

Part one of madforsailing's look at what's new in the big boat arena

It's that time of year again, when the sailing events slow down as we head towards winter, but the manufacturers get into gear to get us hyped up and excited for next season. They no doubt are hoping we will all kick off the new season with new boats. The Southampton Boat Show is the first major chance to see what is on offer.

The show runs from the 14-23 September. One of the biggest attractions will undoubtedly be Ellen MacArthurs Kingfisher which be at the show all week. You can meet Ellen on Monday. One of the GBR Challenge America's Cup boats will arrive on Tuesday and you should be able to witness her sailing - weather permitting.

Hamble-based Tangent Yachting unveils the new J/109 an asymmetric Cruiser Racer model which makes a world debut. The brand-new J/109 was sailing at Cowes for the very first time and in race 1 showed amazing bursts of speed. Properly prepared it should be a force to reckon with especially in a mixed IRC fleet. The J Cup was held as part of the Berthon Source Regatta and was won by Chris Dunning in his latest Marionette a J/120. Another 120, Alibi,has done brilliantly in RORC this year. Cowes Week was great for J/Boats with 26 entries in the Bowsprit class which was won by a J/105 - Julian Grindall's J Go she also tied for first place in the black group overall. The J/109 and J/120 will both be at the show on berth 299.

With the bigger J/Boats Key Yachting will be showing the J/145 Roxy 9. This new 48 foot racer/cruiser has carbon everywhere and a powerful sail plan for both racing around the cans and offshore. She has already proved herself on the course. Her first outing was the Round The Island Race 2001 and came fourth overall and since then third in the Little Britain regatta. But she performs equally down below as quality cruiser with a beautiful Cherry finished saloon offering excellent comfort and functionality. Certainly worth a look at her on Berth 272 or call Key Yachting on 02380 222723.



The Hunter 707 has been a hugely successful racing boat in one design class. At Cowes this year the 43 707s were the second largest trailing only the traditional X-Boats. Hunter have now designed a boat for both cruising and racing. The new Channel 31 is intended for sportier owners interested in Club or IRC racing, has a fin keel, folding prop, larger genoa, spinnaker, etc. It was put through the RORC rating system by designer David Thomas and came out with an IRC TCF of 0.926.



Jeanneau will be exhibiting a wide selection of boats from their vast range sailing boats on stand F5, including the brand new Sun Odyssey 32.This is the latest addition to the diverse range of sailing boats. Designed by Phillipe Briand this pretty boat offers performance and high interior volume which includes, 2 large double cabins and the saloon, and a vast cockpit. Making her probably the largest 32 footer available on the market.

Continued on page two.....