Electric boats, with wings, lower consumption and more sustainable design and materials are the trends of the nearly one hundred innovations that major firms in the international marine industry “Salón Náutico” of Barcelona (Barcelona’s Boat Show) presented for the first time in Barcelona. An event that was attended by boating companies in Ibiza such as Supermercado Nautico, Viamar Volvo Penta, Nautica Ereso and Motonáutica Ibiza.
The Port Vell in Barcelona once again hosted the 12th to 17th October Boat Show, which also had 15 models competing for the best European boat of the year. The Fira de Barcelona event has consolidated its position as an international benchmark for the sector and leading event of national boating, after the pause it had to take in 2020 due to the health situation generated by covid.
The ‘day cruiser’, the main trend at the Salón Náutico
The ‘day cruiser’ or ‘day boat’, with large open terraces and platforms that open into wings on the sides to expand its space for recreation is the main trend presented by the leading brands in this year’s new products at the Boat Show. Thus, among the 70 novelties in this range include the Italian Absolute Navetta 58 and Arcadia Sherpa 60, the Spanish Astilux Alexa 37 and Astilux 900 SD, the German Bavaria Vida 33 and Bavaria SR 41, the French Bénéteau GT 36 HB, Bénéteau GT 41, Bénéteau Antares 11 Fly and Bénéteau Antares 8 OB, among others.
More sustainable and environmentally friendly boats
More sustainable and environmentally friendly boats are also protagonists among the presentations, both for their lower fuel consumption and for the greater efficiency in electrical management and onboard systems, two aspects in which the shipyards are working on important developments. In fact, of the eight new engine innovations, three are electric propulsion systems from Yamaha, Vetus and Bellmarine-Transfluid.
It is also worth mentioning the presence of the Spanish boats 377 Coupe de Astondoa, De Antonio D50 Open and Girbau G28, as well as the Italian boats Evo R4 WA or Mingolla Brava 22 WA, Mingolla 22 Open, Mingolla Brava 16 and Mingolla Brava 19, present for the first time in Barcelona.
In addition to these boats, there will be those presented by prestigious shipyards and brands such as Fountaine Pajot, Jeanneau, Marex, Leopard, Quicksilver, Rodman, Sealine and Solaris, among others. In addition one of the main attractions will be the Quer Explorer 41 FB, a model used by the new maritime surveillance unit of the Mossos d’Esquadra.
European Powerboat of the Year
Among all the powerboats that were newly released at the show, eight are candidates for the European Powerboat of the Year title in different categories: Pardo Endurance 60, Marex 330 Scandinavia, Sessa Key Largo 40, Solaris Power 44 Open, Swan Shadow, Parker 800 Cruiser, Ryck 280 and Quicksilver 475 Axess.
As for the sailing yachts, visitors were able to see 19 new models, seven of which are competing for the prestigious European Sailing Boat of the Year award: Bénéteau Oceanis 34.1, Dufour 470, Hanse 460, Sun Odyssey 380 and Jeanneau Yachts 60, Lagoon 55 and the X-Yachts X 56.
Among other new boats, the Oceanis 40.1, Grand Soleil 44, Solaris 40, Dehler 38 SQ, ICE 54 and J/99 were also on display at the show.
In the catamaran category, the Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42 and Elba 45, the Bali 4.2, 4.8 and CatSpace, the Leopard 42 and the Excess 11 and 15 were on display.
The 59th edition of the Boat Show has brought together more than 180 exhibitors and more than 500 boats , 176 of them in the floating exhibition, at the Fusta and España docks of Port Vell in Barcelona.