By Abdul Basit
The four-day POLBOAT YACHTING FESTIVAL drew over 22,000 visitors, making it an outstanding edition that set records with the highest number of exhibitors, 110 vessels, and 23 premieres.
From July 18-21, 2024, at the Marina Yacht Park in Gdynia, owned by the PHN Group, the fifth, jubilee, and unique edition of the largest yacht show on water in Poland, POLBOAT YACHTING FESTIVAL, took place. The exhibition, organized by the Polish Chamber of Marine Industry and Water Sports – Polish Yachts (POLBOAT), offered a special opportunity for Polish manufacturers and distributors of watercraft, as well as other industry-related companies, to showcase their current offerings. Both mooring spots and booth spaces were reserved months in advance before the event.
This edition set new records with the largest number of Exhibitors to date (88 companies, a 10% increase from 2023), showcased yachts (110 vessels, a 5% increase), and premieres (23, compared to 18 in 2023). Leading Polish shipyards participated, including several young and highly intriguing manufacturers, as well as dealers of foreign brands. The variety of vessels presented in Poland has never been this extensive. Particularly impressive this year was the number of vessels over 10 meters in length – a total of 33.
The festival’s opening ceremony took place on the 80 Sunreef Power catamaran and was attended by distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Gdynia – Aleksandra Kosiorek, the Vice-Mayor of Gdynia – Tomasz Augustyniak, a representative from the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship – Iwona Mielewczyk, the Chief of the Political Cabinet at the Ministry of Development and Technology – Jan Strzeżek, a representative from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, a representative from the international federation European Boating Industry based in Brussels, as well as the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Polish Sailing Association, the Pomeranian Sailing Association, and the Polish Powerboating and Water Skiing Association.
Additionally, at the exhibition in Gdynia, visitors could admire a variety of large vessels, including the Wave 60 (premiere), Galeon Yachts 560FLY, 500FLY, 440FLY, 435GTO (premiere), 375GTO, Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 (premiere), Cobrey 50, Hanse 460 and 410 (premiere), Vulcan JP47, Wiszniewski W43 (premiere), Dracan 42 (premiere), Bavaria C42, Lagoon 42, SeaRanger13 (premiere), Platinum 40, Windy 40 Camira (premiere), Saxdor 400 GTC (premiere), Princess V40, Vanquish 40 (premiere), and Cranchi Z35, among others.
In the segment of motorboats up to 10 meters with an outboard engine, Parker Poland presented the most diverse range of models (6 different boats, including the premiere of the Parker 910 Odyssey). Additionally, companies such as Balt Yacht (premiere SunCamper29), Canna Boats (premiere Canna b-one), Golden Slide, Markos (premiere Markos Tender 8.75), Massiv Boats (premiere Cabin 695), Nautic Yachts (premiere Nautic 880), o’Boats, Stillo Yachts, Veloce Yachts, and Virtue Yachts contributed to the display.
The Polish manufacturers’ line-up was complemented by sailboats from N’Fun and Legion Yachts, solar boats from Green Dream Boats, houseboats from La Mare and Nomadream, Ribs from Sportis and Cavo Marine, as well as Airslide hovercraft and NawiPoland pontoons. Visitors also had the opportunity to explore many international brands of sailboats and motorboats, including Alfastreet Marine, Aquador, Bayliner, Delta, Duffour Finnmaster, Flipper, Frauscher, Jeanneau, Karnic, Marex, Moss Yacht, Nimbus, Nordkapp, Quarken, and TG Boats. Additionally, SeaDoo and Kawasaki jet skis were on display.
During the first day of the exhibition, awards were presented under the auspices of the Mayor of the City of Gdynia – GDYNIA POLBOAT AWARDS. The jury, consisting of Stanisław Iwiński – editor-in-chief of the Yachtsmen.eu portal, Marta Zawadzka – yacht designer, and Jacek Centkowski – world-renowned yacht designer and constructor, honored the following vessels:
In the category of Sailboats – Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
In the category of Motorboats up to 10 meters – Virtue Yachts V10
In the category of Motorboats over 10 meters – Wiszniewski Yachts W43
In the category of Special Boats – 80 Sunreef Power
The statuette was created by the well-known Tri-City sculptor, Adam Stachowicz. The award ceremony took place at the Courtyard by Marriott Gdynia Waterfront hotel, followed by the Inter Cars – Exide Cocktail Party featuring a musical performance by 5 LADIES and a fashion show by Studio Ismena Warszawska and A2 Jewellery.
One of the highlights of this year’s Gdynia Exhibition was the premiere of the Dracan 42 catamaran. The young shipyard from Ostróda received the prestigious Gold Bell Award presented by the Polish Sailing Association. The award, presented during the 100th anniversary of the Assosiation, was bestowed by the President of the PZŻ – Tomasz Chamera, with the ceremony hosted by Waldemar Heflich – editor-in-chief of the NoweZagle.pl portal.
The POLBOAT YACHTING FESTIVAL exhibition once again took place as part of the Gdynia Sailing Days event, organized by the Polish Sailing Association and City of Gdynia as the Strategic Partner.
The POLBOAT YACHTING FESTIVAL, organized by the Polish Chamber of Yachting Industry and Water Sports – Polish Yachts, is a non-ticketed event. In the tent halls along the waterfront, companies showcased sailing and powerboating accessories, navigational equipment, designer apparel, as well as financing and boat insurance offers. The event also featured the newest camper models, Mercedes-Benz cars from BMG Goworowski, Corvette and Dodge from GM Warszawa, a fashion show by Studio Ismena, A2 Jewellery, a fly-dance show by the masterful team from fly-board.pl, and a special relaxation zone.
Additionally, on the first day, the ECO POLBOAT Forum was held, entirely dedicated to topics related to sustainable industry development, led by Krzysztof Olejnik – editor-in-chief of Magazyn Wiatr. The representatives of POLBOAT, along with representatives from the Gdańsk University of Technology, discussed Poland’s participation in the international research project TEcoNaut, electric-driven propulsion systems by Prime Marine representatives, distributors of Torqeedo engines, and representatives from the Poznań
University of Technology, and the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) project was discussed by representatives from the European Boating Industry, the POLBOAT management, and industry representatives (CE Design, Osróda Yacht?Delphia shipyard, Sunreef Yachts).
Over the weekend, organizers, in collaboration with the Sztorm Grupa sailing school, arranged a special edition of the Become a Seafarer campaign, offering free sailing trips for those keen to discover a new passion and join thousands of individuals spending time on the water. The 2024 POLBOAT YACHTNG FESTIVAL was a resounding success. The weather was perfect, and so were the clients, especially those interested in purchasing boats, which left exhibitors very satisfied. This year, many international guests attended, including industry journalists from around the world, organizers of foreign shows (such as BOOT Dusseldorf), yacht dealers, shipyard representatives, and individual clients, confirming that the Gdynia exhibition is among the top European events. – abdulbasit@theuaenews.com
