Mumbai International boat show to kick-start from Feb 28 at Gateway, BKC

Mumbai, February 25 Fancy kayaking along Mumbai’s coastline or throwing a lavish party on a yacht? It will be coming of age for leisure boating in India as the second Samira Mumbai International Boat Show (SMIBS) will be held from February 28 to March 2 at the Gateway of India and the Bandra Kurla complex. Following the success of the first Mumbai Boat show organised last year, this year’s show promises to be at least five times bigger according to one of the organisers Sujoy Chohan.

Dr Malay Shroff, one of India’s leading Olympian yachtsmen and Sujoy Chohan of the Ocean Blue are the founders and directors of Mumbai International Boat Show.

“Last year, for the first time ever local and global boat companies from all over the world were brought to India. together directly to India's growing tribe of savvy customers. When we first started last year, we were taunted at. But it is Dr Shroff and I who first realised the tremendous potential of this kind of a show in the city,” said Chohan.

“The marina at the Gateway this year is thrice the size of last year. There are around 20 yatchs on water this year as compared to 2 last year,” said Chohan elaborating on the show.

Sail boats, kayaks, ski boats, motor boats, luxury yachts, houseboat, catamaran, speed boats from the worlds leading international brand names like Azimut, Ferritti, Larson, Princess etc along with boat engines, water sports equipments and luxury boat accessories will be on display at the Gateway of India during the four days.

Visitors to the exhibition will also get to see the Azimut 39, the largest and the most expensive yacht on land at the Bandra Kurla Complex. This year the boat show will also feature a range of kayaks of all sizes and designs for leisure activities and sports lovers.

“From tourism perspective too, there is great potential. India has a coastline of 7,600 kms. There is so much scope for activities around our coastlines. Mumbai has such beautiful, tranquil, waters. There is the luxury tourism aspect with respect to cruises and yachts,” said Chohan.

The Government of India, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Indian Navy, Mumbai Port Trust, Indian Coast Guard and the Yachting Association of India are the organisers of the show.

According to the organisers' estimates, the sales figure had reached over 250 crores last year and this year it is expected to go even higher. As a precursor to the boat show, a Nautica SMIBS Navy Cup Regatta was held on Saturday. The navy cup boasts of 300 sailors annually from participants of all age groups from sailing clubs across India and Mumbai.