A Quick Update from Cannes and Southampton 🌞🛥️
By James Barke – MD, Boats.co.uk
We’ve just wrapped up two of the biggest events in the boating calendar - the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Southampton International Boat Show, and what a fantastic time we had!
Sunshine, serious buyers & some exciting launches
First off, we were blessed with glorious weather at both shows. Cannes in particular felt like the Med was showing off just for us and Southampton wasn’t far behind with clear skies and just enough breeze to make things interesting.
Footfall at Southampton was slightly down this year (about -10%) but make no mistake, the serious buyers were out in force. You could feel the buzz, but there's a definite sense that many are waiting to see what the Autumn/Winter Budget brings before jumping in. We’ve seen it before though, once the budget lands, things usually pick up again. So we’re expecting a busy January and February 2026.
Fairline Targa 55 world launch – and more to come...
Now, here’s something exciting: Fairline used Cannes to unveil the all-new Targa 55, and let me tell you it’s a showstopper. Sleek, luxurious, and packed with all the Fairline DNA we love. We’ll be talking more about this in the coming weeks.
And while I can’t say too much yet... there was another flagship launch that’s under wraps for now. Keep your eyes peeled - more details soon. 👏
What we’re looking For right now
We’re actively looking for high-quality brokerage boats from the big-name brands; Fairline, Sunseeker, Princess etc. If you’re thinking about part-exchanging or selling, we’d love to talk. Remember, we love PX, and we’ll always give you a fair and fast valuation.
Small boats? Still moving, but it's tough
Yes, the small boat market remains challenging, but deals are happening. The key is the right spec, condition, and price. If you’ve got a great little boat, it can still sell, and we’re here to help make that happen.
Why Boats.co.uk?
We’ve been doing this for over 50 years - and whether it's Cannes, Southampton, or selling boats all around the world, we bring experience, energy, and a no-nonsense approach to every deal. From first-time buyers to long-time owners, we’ve got the knowledge and the network to help you buy, sell, or upgrade.
Looking ahead, we're feeling optimistic and we’ve got some surprises coming your way.
Until then, stay afloat and if you’ve got a boat you’re thinking of moving on from... you know who to call.
See you on the water,
James Barke
Managing Director, Boats.co.uk