CA celebrates another successful Southampton International Boat Show

The Cruising Association is celebrating another fantastic Southampton International Boat Show, with our stand once again proving a popular meeting place for cruising enthusiasts, members and visitors keen to discover more about life afloat.

From 18-27 September 2026, the CA team welcomed hundreds of visitors to our stand, where conversations ranged from cruising plans and technical questions to destinations, regulations and the practicalities of life on the water.

The show provided a great opportunity to showcase the breadth of knowledge, experience and resources available through CA membership - while bringing together the people who make the Association such a vibrant cruising community.

“It was wonderful to see the CA stand buzzing throughout the show and to welcome so many members, visitors and new faces,” said James Hulme, Chief Operating Officer. “The Boat Show is a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge, answer questions and hear directly from cruisers about where they’ve been, where they’re heading and what matters to them. We were delighted to welcome new members into the CA community and catch up with so many existing members.”

Knowledge, advice and inspiration

Expert knowledge was at the heart of the CA’s presence at the show, with a programme of daily on-stand sessions covering a vast range of cruising topics.

CA specialists shared practical advice and the latest information on subjects affecting cruisers today, drawing on the Association’s extensive network of experienced members and its Regulatory & Technical Services Group (RATS).

Visitors could also meet members of the CA’s specialist cruising sections, including the Channel, Mediterranean and Cruising Information teams, as well as representatives from the Motorboat, European Inland Waterways and Crewing Service. These informal conversations offered a chance to ask questions, exchange experiences and tap into the collective knowledge of our community.

There was also plenty of interest in the CA’s cruising resources, including the 2027 edition of the Cruising Almanac, produced in partnership with Imray, and CAptain’s Mate, the CA’s award-winning cruising app featuring more than 20,000 cruising reports from around the world.

Meeting place

For many CA members, the show was as much about catching up with friends as discovering something new.

Daily stand socials brought members, volunteers and staff together throughout the show, creating plenty of opportunities to share stories, discuss cruising plans and put faces to names. Visitors considering joining the CA could also find out first-hand what it means to be part of a worldwide community of cruising enthusiasts.

The CA was delighted to welcome a wave of new members during the show, with many taking advantage of the special membership offers. These offers continue until 31 October 2026, with 20% off the first year of Full Membership, reducing the annual subscription from £172 to £138 when paying by Direct Debit or recurring card payment.

For the first time, new members can also spread the cost of Full Membership with a monthly Direct Debit of just £11.50 a month, making it even easier to join the CA.

Prizes

There was plenty to celebrate on the CA stand, with visitors and members having the chance to win a selection of fantastic prizes throughout the show.

Congratulations to Graham Ellison who won a Wescom sMRT SHIELD+ Personal Locator Beacon.

Thanks to our partners at Andark, a new CA member was also selected each day to win a £50 voucher.

And, our Big Summer Prize Draw was won by Richard Malthouse who will enjoy a custom made Ship Shape Bedding Marine+ Air-Flow Mattress, complete with a DRY-Mat anti-condensation underlay, fitted sheet and mattress protector – a prize package worth £2,500.

Thank you

A massive thank you to all our fantastic volunteers who gave their time, knowledge and enthusiasm throughout the show - welcoming visitors, sharing their cruising experience, answering questions and helping make the CA a great place to visit.

And thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us. Whether you joined the CA, came for advice or cruising inspiration, or simply called in for a chat, it was great to meet you.