The fourth edition of the Venice Boat Show opens today and will be held till the 4th of June once more in the historic Arsenal, which for centuries functioned as the beating heart of the Serenissima’s naval power. This edition will last for five days, following the trends of the other most important national and international exhibitions. The sailing sector shows consistent growth, with an increase in attendance of over 50% from last year’s edition, much like that of electric propulsion vessels, which has itself grown 30% and reaffirms its green mission. The five-day event will also coincide with the start of the Biennale of Sustainability.
The Show — which in 2022 received the BEA- Best Event Awards prize as best exhibition of the year — is organized by Vela spa, on behalf of the Municipality of Venice, and features the essential collaboration of the Italian Navy.
The Arsenal is composed of 55,000 sqm of water basins, inside of which 1,100 linear meters of piers will be installed, alongside 30,000 meters of external exhibition spaces. The large warehouses, which in the past would have housed the construction facilities of Venetian galleys, will now host the best elements of Venetian nautical design and furnishing, as well as its artisanal shipbuilding, for a total of 5,000 sqm. More than 220 exhibitors will be present (180 being Italian, with the rest joining from the United Kingdom, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Montecarlo, Sweden, Denmark and Finland) who will in turn bring 300 vessels to Venice, 250 of which will be in the water, creating a total ship length of 2.7 kilometers.
The large groups have confirmed their presence – Ferretti Group, Azimut Benetti and Sanlorenzo are returning. Sanlorenzo has chosen the contemporary SL78, entry-level of the iconic line that made the brand successful. The company also displayed a new hydrogen-powered tender with foils that will accompany American Magic during the America’s Cup 2024. Ferretti Group brought a fleet of seven yachts, including wallywhy 150, which will have its world premiere.
Ocean King decided to showcase its 36-meter Ducale 120. Azimut makes a European debut for its Verve 42. The motorized boat selection is completed by the exhibitors Sunseeker, Beneteau, Rizzardi, Absolute, FIM, Pardo, Loy Explorer, Green Line,Sirena and Arcadia. First time exhibitors in Venice include the shipyards Invictus, Fountaine Pajot, Nautor Swan, Solaris Power, Prestige, Rio Yacht, Sense Yach and Omikron.
The sailing boat section consists of 30 boats ranging between 10 and 30 meters. Flagship of the contemporary production sailing line will be the Swan 65 constructed by the Nautor Swan shipyard, with the pier also displaying the 30 meter Whimsea built by the CNB shipyard and designed by Studio Brenta. Also attendees include the shipyards Beneteau, Lagoon, Dufour, More, Jeaneau e Pegasus e Italia Yacht, while first time attendees to the Arsenal consist of Elan, Bavaria, Solaris, Neo Yacht, Felci, Kufner e Hallberg-Rassy.
The electrical sector has over 50 electrical vessels being exhibited, a 30% increase compared to the previous edition. Returning to the Arsenal are X Shore, Candela, Green Line 40, Alfastreet Marine, Fap (Falegnameria Artigianale Pesce) and Rand Boats. New attendees include Free Power, Propel, Laneva, Green Dream Boats, and Amperetta. Boats powered by the energy reaped from hydrogen fuel will also be present: the French catamaran Sea Bubble and the Hydrocell project dedicated to this transformation. Sustainable ocean going will also feature a competitive event in the third edition of the E-regatta, the scenic parade on the Grand Canal and the sporting events held inside the Arsenal’s basin.
The five days of the exhibition will also provide for entertainment with regattas and trophies, along with an incredibly rich program which features, amongst other events, the arrival of the Pavia Venezia, the Palio delle Repubbliche Marinare (Maritime Republics Regatta) on Saturday the 3rd of June, and, the following day, the second edition of the Venice Boat Show Cup. Moreover, there will be many opportunities for families and children to relax with activities, catering services, laboratories and a rediscovery of the sites of the Arsenal.
Credits: Venice Boat Show