Northern Europe’s biggest boating show takes place in Helsinki
Northern Europe’s biggest boating show takes place in Helsinki
The Helsinki International Boat Show presents around 400 boats as well as accessories and equipment for boating, fishing, and water activities. In addition, Vene 26 Båt offers approximately 500 lectures and performances, and this year also features an interesting programme in English. The show will be held on 6–15 February 2026 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
The Finnish boat industry is internationally recognised and remarkably strong in relation to the country’s size. Finland is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of small and medium-sized motorboats and is particularly known for quality, durability, and designs adapted to Nordic conditions. Measured by population, Finland has one of the highest numbers of boats in Europe: one in five Finns owns a boat. In early July 2025, there were 246,000 vessels registered in the Finnish Watercraft Register, of which 214,000 were motorboats. These figures include boats longer than 5.5 metres or boats with over 20 hp motor; smaller boats are not required to be registered. In total, there are an estimated 1 million boats in Finland. Boating is a popular leisure activity in the country, shaped by its long coastline, numerous lakes, and vast inland waters.
Impressive sailing yachts – rare visitors and award-winning
Sailboats are represented in the Sailing Harbour, visitors can see the Beneteau First 30 and First 18SE, Hallberg-Rassy 370, Hanse 360, and Jeanneau SO 415. The Beneteau First 30 and Jeanneau SO 415 were nominated for European Yacht of the Year 2026, with the Beneteau First 30 winning the Performance Cruiser Monohull category. The Hallberg-Rassy 370 is a completely new model that recently made its world premiere at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, and Vene 26 Båt will be its second international showcase. The Hanse 360 was named European Yacht of the Year last year.
At the Helsinki International Boat Show the majority of the boats presented are Finnish
At the boat show, boats of all sizes and for a wide range of uses are on display. Among the completely new or updated models for 2026 are Yamarin Aura Cabin, Axopar 38 XC, G-Force 14, Linder Arkip 510 and Arkip 570, Max 68 Cabin S, MS Boat 7 Silent, Sargo 45 Flybridge, Wellcraft 28 Explorer, Terhi 400 CC, 450 TC and 480 CC, Cremo 488 BR, Alutroll 410 Snapper Pro and 510 Megasnapper Pro, Buster Magnum V Max, AMT 190 BR, 210 BR, 210 DC and 240 DC V Max, eSuvi, Targa 30.1 GT AD, Nordkapp Enduro 830, Falcon Brs 6 and BRs 7, Willy’s X8, Quarken 35 Cabin Tourer with aft cabin, and the show’s largest motorboat, the Nord Star 49+.
In addition, several motorboat models will be shown in Finland for the first time, including Aquador 300 HT with outboard engines, Boston Whaler 360 Outrage, Delphia D10 Sedan, Prestige F4.3, Ryds 490 VI Sport, 630 VI Mid C, 650 VI DC and 735 VI, Sea Ray SPX 210 and SDX 250, Windy SR40, Crestliner 1650, Brig Navigator 20, 22 and 24, and Iron 707 T-Top.
The majority of the boats on display at the show are Finnish. Finnish boat brands presented at the fair include: Alucat, Alutroll, AMT, Axopar, Buster, Cross, Faster, Fibresin, Flipper, G-Force,Husky, Max, Nord Star, Princess, Päijän, Quarken, Rönnqvist, Sargo, Saxdor, Silacraft, Silver, Suomiboats, Suvi, Särki, Targa, Terhi, TG, Willy’s, XO, and Yamarin.
Among the international motorboat manufacturers represented at the show are, for example: 3D Tender, Alba, Alukin, Aquador, Beneteau, Bella, Boston Whaler, Brig, Cremo, Crestliner, Delphia, Falcon, Finval, Grand, Highfield, Hydrolift, Iron, Jeanneau, Linder, Lynxmar, Marex, MS Boat, Nimbus, Nordkapp, Ockelbo, Pioner, Prestige, Sea Ray, Ryds, UMS, Windy, Quicksilver, and Wellcraft.
The Helsinki International Boat Show is also Finland’s largest fishing event, featuring around 30 specially equipped fishing boats in the show’s dedicated fishing area. During the show, the top motorboats are selected in the following categories Open Boat of the Show, Weekender or Commuter of the Show, and Cabin Cruiser of the Show, as well as Sailing Boat of the Show. In addition, the Fishing Boat of the Show award will be presented for the second time.
Tomorrow’s Bluewater Sailors and the ARC
On Friday, 6 February, two well-known figures from the sailing world will take the stage at the Sailing Harbour’s Maritime Stage. At 12:30, Hallberg-Rassy will explore how traditional ocean-going seaworthiness is combined with modern yacht design. On stage will be Magnus Rassy, owner and CEO of the renowned Swedish yacht builder Hallberg-Rassy. After that, at 13:00, Andraž Mihelin, founder and CEO of Seascape, will speak about the future of sailing. Is sailing still relevant in a world shaped by instant gratification, comfort, and competing alternatives? Seascape is part of the French Beneteau Group, one of the world’s largest boat manufacturers.
On Saturday, 7 February at 11.00, Rassy and Mihelin will take part in a panel discussion on the future of cruising sailboat design and development. The session explores the key trends, innovations, and design choices shaping tomorrow’s cruising yachts — from performance and comfort to sustainability and real-life sailing experience.
On Wednesday, 11 February at 17.30, the programme features ARC – Atlantic Rally for Cruisers: How to prepare and participate? The presentation will cover how to prepare for bluewater cruising and ocean adventures and provides insight into sailing on world cruising routes and participating in the ARC and other rallies. On stage is Mats Runström, Scandinavian representative of the World Cruising Club.
The first Baltic Sea Boating Forum
European Boating Industry (EBI) will officially launch the inaugural Baltic Sea Boating Forum at the Helsinki International Boat Show, marking the start of a new platform for dialogue between the boating industry, policymakers and stakeholders on the future of boating the Baltic Sea with a strong focus on bridging environmental responsibility and the region’s boating success story. The first Baltic Sea Boating Forum will take place on Friday, 13 February at 14.00. Speakers are Sari Multala, Finnish Minister of Climate and the Environment and Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). A panel discussion is moderated by Philip Easthill, EBI Secretary-General.
All About Fishing, Scuba Diving, and Water Activities
At the Aalto area’s pool, this year promises full speed and memorable experiences. Recreational scuba diving is offered on a larger scale than before. Recreational and technical diving instructor Lee Smallwood Cassar will talk during weekends from Fridays to Sundays about diving around the Maltese islands.
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 26 Båt, will be held from February 6–15, 2026, at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event is organized by the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation, Finnboat. The event’s sustainability partner is WWF Finland.
Images for media: http://mediabank.messukeskus.com
For further information:
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Teija Armanto, Communications Manager, tel. +358 50 376 0804, teija.armanto@messukeskus.com
Finnish Marine Industries Federation, Finnboat, CEO Jarkko Pajusalo, tel. +358 40 673 4032, jarkko@finnboat.fi
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