Looking for a plan of what to see at the PSP Southampton Boatshow ?We asked Boatshow "Veteran" Neil Chapman of Boatshed what he would do and see this year.......

Get on a the water for Free!
Try a boat for free......When you first arrive at the show it’s worth going straight to the ‘Try a Boat’ stand, you can book a wide selection of boats from ribs, power boats to sailing boats that will take you out for free. Remember to sign up early to get a free spot, bookings fill up quickly so it's worth making this your first port of call!

Feel like a pirate?
How about a big old ketch to get you in a nautical mood?...Down on the marina, you can go aboard Bessie Ellen. She is a 107 year old West Country ketch, 35 metres long, a very traditional boat, well worth a look around. Last time we saw Bessie Ellen, she was involved in a pirate festival in Plymouth. You will see why she is an ideal candidate for piratanical exploits!

Really Really old boat? .......forget thinking that the Boat Show is all about new shiny boats. If you fancy something a little alternative, have a look at the Phoenicia, a traditional Egyptian trading vessel which has recently completed a two year 20,000 mile voyage and is now available to visit at the show. SEE PHOENICIA HERE

Biggest Boat
If you’re a motor boater, then one of the first things to see should be the world debut of the new Princess 88. This is a 26.8 metre motor yacht which you can take home from the show, providing you’re willing to pay its 4.63 million price tag, but that does include VAT!

Commercial rib anyone?
Also for motor boat fans, and this has to be one of my favourites, is the brand new ten metre techno marine commercial rib, built specifically for the commercial market and designed to achieve maximum speed in challenging conditions. Go down to berth number CO34 on the marina and this is the first time it’s being shown to the world.

Ocean Race boats
If you fancy something a little more racy, 2014 sees the start of the 30,000 mile round the world global ocean race. It’s a double handed race, starting in the Solent and taking eight months to go around the planeto. There will be two global ocean race boats for you to look at and their skippers will be on board to talk to you all about what it’s like racing these boats in deep ocean.

The best cruising boat in the world by far....
Another personal favourite and one to see is the Bestewind 50. Again, it’s a UK debut. The boat’s designed for long distance cruising and particularly for yachtsmen who are long enough in the tooth to appreciate a pilothouse and a shorthanded crew. Personally, I shall be asking if I can borrow it to do a circumnavigation of Iceland after the show.

Big boat sailing....
In addition to all the free things you can do at the show, you can also do some cool stuff if you’re prepared to pay a little bit extra. Tall Ships Adventures are showing off their 72 foot ex-Challenge boat and are happy to take you out for an hour and a half aboard the boat, all for the price of £52.

Loads of stuff to look at.....
If your not in the market for a whole boat, maybe you’re on the lookout for some boating bits, there’s everything from bedding to boat repairs, water systems to windlasses, propellers to paints, anchors, anti fouling, batteries, charter companies, holidays, mariners, maps, books, magazines and a whole plethora of boat accessories and boat bits. Simply browsing about, enjoying the incredible range of stuff, can take lots of time.

Men with pipes?
If you like the smell of sawdust and oakum, go along for a peek at the WBTA, that’s the Wooden Boat builders’ Trade Association for short. They’re chipping away at a variety of different pieces of timber and also are displaying a number of craft and demonstrating the variety of methods of construction.

Factoid ;The marina at PSP Southampton Boat Show is Europe’s largest purpose built temporary marina with over 2km of pontoons and holding over 300 vessels. It’s specifically created for the show.

Go Navy!
If you get chance, it’s worth visiting the Royal Navy stand for a chat to the guys and gals who always so informed and helpful.

Food and Drink...what options are available to get your rations on the day?

Self catering ... I often take a picnic to the show and find a quiet spot looking over the water.

Coffee...... this is always good in the Holiday Inn hotel itself and they do cups to go, plus the stall by the RNLI stand does a mean espresso.

Carry out..... hot dogs are my personal favourite for rapid sustenance when you are on the hoof.

Sit down.... The Mariners restaurant in the show is the place to go if you want to ignore the budgeting requirements for a day....see if you can blag a window table and order the House Champagne...great to see celebs and great people watching too!

Drinks and libations........ the Guinness area is a bit out of the way but always draws a crowd or the Honda champagne tent if you want to go mad.

Boatshed crew....
Clearly, no boat show visit would be complete without a visit to Boatshed in the Windward Hall on DO63. Many of the Boatshed crew will be there and will be happy to help and advise on selling your boat or finding the right boat for you. Boatshed sell thousands of boats every year.

Check out the Boatshow on YouTube to get you in the mood :)VIDEO HERE

Have a great time and remember time will really fly!

All the Best

Neil