Vene 20 Båt showcases a wealth of new boats
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 20 Båt, is the largest boating event in Northern Europe. This year, the event is being held in Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre from 7 to 16 February. The exhibition will show off 500 boats, along with countless accessories and other products for boating and water sports. In addition to its diverse boating and water sports programme, the fair also offers environmental information for beginning boat enthusiasts.
Most of the boats on show at the Helsinki International Boat Show are outboard motorboats, day cruisers and cabin cruisers. More than half of the motorboats being exhibited are Finnish, and the fair also features favourite models from recent years in addition to the newcomers of 2020.
Finnish boat brands Alutroll, AMT, Aquador, Axopar, Buster, Faster, Finnmaster, Nord Star, Silver, Suvi, Terhi, TG, XO and Yamarin will be exhibiting new models at the show. Other popular Finnish brands on show include Bella, Cross, Falcon, Flipper, Grandezza, Husky, Marino, Sargo and Targa.
The Finnish models premiering at the fair are the Alutroll 560 Trollfisk, AMT 165 BR, Faster 570 CC & SC, Greenbay Force 10, Nord Star 31, Silver Beaver BR, Silver Viper DCZ, Terhi 480 BR & Sport and Yamarin 60 DC. The year’s eye-catching new Finnish boats also include the AMT 210 BR, Axopar 37, Buster XL & XXL, Brabus Shadow 500 Cabin, Finnmaster R6 & T6, TG 7.9 KingCruiser, XO 260 Cabin and Yamarin 63 DC.
The show’s exciting international offering includes the Askeladden P76 Weekend, Askeladden P92 SUV, Beneteau Antares 11, Fairline F//Line 33, Galeon 400 Fly, Iron 647 & 707 & 767, Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 S2, Nimbus T8, Nordkapp Gran Coupe 905, Quicksilver Captur 805 Pilothouse, Rand Picnic 18 and Sunseeker Predator 60 Evo.
The largest motorboat being exhibited at the show is the Sunseeker Predator 60 EV0, and the largest sailing boat the Zer0emission TP52, which races to raise awareness of marine pollution. Other intriguing new models include the Candela Seven, a Swedish foiling electric motorboat, and the Alutroll Trollfisk designed by Stefan Lindfors. The UK brand Fairline and Norwegian Windy are making a comeback to the Boat Show after a lengthy hiatus.
Every year, the Helsinki International Boat Show chooses the Boats of the Show. Boating journalists pick the most interesting new open motorboats, day cruisers and cabin cruisers out of the 500 boats on show. The finalists are announced at 10 a.m. on 7 February and the winners at noon on Wednesday 12 February. The Boats of the Show jury consists of representatives of the Venemestari, Vene and Kippari boating magazines, along with those of Traficom and Eurofins Finland.
Good variety of sailing boats
The Helsinki International Boat Show will present the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, Performance edition of the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and the Hanse 348. These boats are perfect for Finnish waters in terms of both size and handling. The Purjehdussatama section also features two sporty smaller boats, the Beneteau First 14 and 18, for sailors with a need for speed. Several foiling small boats will also be exhibited, along with racing boats in the stands of the Finnish Sailing and Boating Association, two-day sailers, and a sailing boat being refurbished on the Venemestarin Telakka dock.
In addition to the sailing boats, the classic boats section presents skilfully restored motorboats and demonstrations of the craftsmanship of traditional boat makers.
One of the largest sailing boats ever exhibited
The Zer°emission TP52 sailing boat gracing the Helsinki International Boat Show participates in races to combat marine pollution and build awareness of the state of the seas, littering and conservation. Zer°emission TP52 is a racing boat built by the America’s Cup team Oracle Racing 2008 and designed by Reichel/Pugh. It is one of the fastest fixed keel racing boats in the world, and it has reached a top speed of over 30 knots. Completely built of carbon fibre, the boat only weighs 7,320 kilogrammes on the water. The captain, Samuli Leisti, will present the boat exhibited at a height of five metres. After the show, the boat will head straight for the racing circuit on the world’s oceans.
Stories, guidance, tips
The Helsinki International Boat Show’s five thematic programme areas offer a wealth of things to see and do. The Purjehdussatama (Sailing Marina) focuses on sailing-related topics, but also offers environmental information and guidance for starting sailors. Totalveneen Messi (TotalBoat Mess Hall) features all things related to motorboats. Venemestarin Telakka (Master Boat Maker’s Dock) restores boats, and the Finnish Sailing and Boating Association’s Yhdessä vesille (Together on the Water) section informs visitors about competitive sailing, entertains kids in the Children’s World and organizers playful competitions at the pool. The section also hosts the Veneilijän Kamapörssi second-hand sales area.
A new feature is the Beginning Boater’s Morning Event held on the first Sunday of the show. In fact, all sections provide more information for beginners this year.
Fishing and water sports featured in the Uusi Aalto section
The Uusi Aalto (New Wave) section’s pools showcase fishing through activities anyone can try. Fishing as a whole will enjoy a stronger role at this year’s Helsinki International Boat Show. The fishing boats exhibited in the section include the Buster M, world-premiering Buster XL, Buster Cabin, Quiksilver 675, Falcon BR6, Garmin Tracker Pro Guide V-175 Combo and Nord Silver 585 Fish.
For the first time ever, the Helsinki International Boat Show will feature an SSD (Sea Safety Diving) pool purpose-built for the show to introduce visitors to diving. The audience can watch the underwater action through the pool’s large windows. The more than two-metre deep pool will also host a mermaid academy, in which children can give mermaid swimming a go on weekends and the opening day. The show will also feature diverse SUP activities.
Conservation is important for boaters
The Helsinki International Boat Show is offering more information on environmental issues and the state of the Baltic Sea this year. The second 5,000 euro Save the Baltic will be handed out by the Finnish Fair Foundation for a marine conservation innovation.
The Helsinki International Boat Show is also taking part in the #MEIDÄNMERI campaign of Moomin Characters and the John Nurminen Foundation. The campaign, exhibited in the #MEIDÄNMERI section, seeks to raise one million euros for the protection of the Baltic Sea. Visitors can offer support for conservation of the Baltic Sea in the #MEIDÄNMERI section or by purchasing a charity ticket for the show.
The largest boating event in Northern Europe
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 20 Båt, will be open from 7 to 16 February in Messukeskus, Helsinki. The show’s opening hours are 11–19 on weekdays and 10–18 on weekends. #MEIDÄNMERI charity tickets are available for the show, contributing 3 euros to conservation of the Baltic Sea through the John Nurminen Foundation. The Helsinki International Boat Show is organised by the Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre for the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.
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