Navigating Excellence: A Recap of POLBOAT YACHTING FESTIVAL 2024

From July 18-21, 2024, Marina Yacht Park in Gdynia played host to the spectacular fifth edition of POLBOAT YACHTING FESTIVAL organized by the Polish Chamber of Marine Industry and Water Sports, setting sail on a journey of luxury and innovation. With a record-breaking 88 esteemed companies and dealers in attendance, the festival boasted a stunning line-up of 110 vessels, including 23 premieres that dazzled the audience with their cutting-edge design and craftsmanship.

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, President of Polboat – Michał Bąk, a representative from the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and Representatives from the Polish Sailing 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 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.

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 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.

Over the four days, the event attracted over 23,000 visitors.