21. BIOGRAD BOAT SHOW

Perfect weather, wonderful atmosphere as well as the largest and the best range of boats and equipment on display marked the 21st edition of Biograd Boat Show. The show has once again earned praise while some 400 exhibitors were, except for wonderful weather, more than satisfied with a record number of over 18.000 visitors, which is increase of about 15%. Many of them weren’t just strolling around but also seriously searching for a piece of equipment for their boat. There was also quite a number of those willing to purchase their new boat. Their mission wasn’t easy as they could choose among approximately 350 boats of all kinds on display. There were boats up to 10 meters in length suitable for people living by the sea and built by hardworking local shipbuilders, latest sailboat and catamaran models as well as luxury and expensive yachts. We have to mention significant amount of commercial boats intended mostly for passenger transport which are lately becoming more and more popular (and feasible) along with strong development of tourism.

Novelty at the BBS was closed-type event for charter companies and agents - Croatia Charter Expo, held successfully in the nearby sports hall with about 120 participants. It doesn’t surprise us since another important charter event, International Charter Expo, is moving this year from Zagreb to Vienna, where exhibiting costs will be much larger. Hence, most of the local charter companies decided to come to Biograd. In addition, Croatian Chamber of Commerce organized 3rd Croatian Nautical Forum.

Its purpose was to improve large nautical sector and to solve some of the current problems and difficulties. Almost the same goal had a gathering of Nautical Tourism Association board within Croatian Employers’ Association, which revealed new future plans and projects which should bring many benefits to all its members.

Novelties among boats were also numerous with a Pearlsea 40 being the most interesting. She is the newest Croatian yacht developed during the last two years and offering sports design and good performance together with Hardtop and Coupe versions, the latter one including cockpit separated by glass-partition. Audience could also check gorgeous Greenline 45 Fly, displayed soon after world-premiere in Cannes, as well as mighty Finnish Targa 46, rarely seen in the Mediterranean. Sailing boat debuts included significantly revamped Elan Impression 40.1 and completely new sleek Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, whose purpose is family cruising and charter, while impressive cat Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 couldn’t stay unnoticed. For tourist transportation stood out fast aluminium powerboat MSBT-45 providing high safety and seaworthiness, while ideal for performing the toughest tasks at sea was Scorpionero 950 created on a proven hull of Calafuria. Perfect modern boats for daily trips were Scandinavian Rand Leisure 28 and Beneteau Flyer 10.

PYI IN BIOGRAD: