The Festival of Power & Sail, Port Solent Boat Show will be held at Port Solent Marina from 29th – 31st May.  The show will open daily, 10am – 5pm with free entry and free parking.  Having grown considerably for three years this event offers a wide selection of new boats for visitors to view and a great day out for all.

Currently confirmed for the weekend are; Walton Marine, Bates Wharf, Maritimo, Hanse, Premier and Ancasta International Boat Sales.  Walton Marine will be displaying a selection of boats from the Jeanneau power range from the smaller Merry Fishers to the larger Prestige yachts.  New company Maritimo will be displaying their Australian built Maritimo M48 as tested in the March issue of Motor Boats Monthly.  Bates Wharf will be displaying models from the Sessa range.    Hanse will be exhibiting both Hanse and Fjords.  Premier will be showing Elans, Island Packets and Moodys and Ancasta International Boat Sales will show models from Beneteau Sailing Yachts, Bavaria Motor Boats, Sealine and Lagoon Catamarans.
 
The show is a well recognised event held annually at Port Solent Marina. It has been extended to include sail boats for 2009.  The Festival organisers are not only working closely with exhibitors but also with The Boardwalk to make the event bigger and better, with plenty to see and do throughout the weekend.

Working with the Boardwalk means that this event has not only grown to include boats for both sailors and motor boat owners but also to become more of a “show”.  The management team is putting on plenty of entertainment to make sure there is something for everyone.

The Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre will be displaying a Challenge 67 and the crew, which includes members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will be welcoming all aboard to take a look at what life aboard can be like and answer any questions.

Port Solent offers a wide array of restaurants, bars and shops and for the Boat Show Weekend these will be complimented with live music throughout the day.   The Mermaid Pub will be running an all day BBQ as well as a full menu in the restaurant.  The Watermark Bar will be opening a full outside bar and offering delicious snacks as well as a full menu.  The other restaurants at Port Solent will be offering a full range of cuisine including Italian, Mexican, Indian and Chinese.

And there is still more to be booked so watch the next issue and www.festivalofpowerandsail.com for more details of what is going on.

There is also the opportunity to get involved in the Festival of Power & Sail, whether it be to show boats in the marina or on the shore as well as space for non marine related products.