From 31 May to 2 June, water sports enthusiasts were able to view 160 yachts and boats on the pontoons and find out about the latest developments in the industry in over 100 pagodas from the equipment suppliers. Many visitors took advantage of the wide range of hands-on activities on offer, such as taster sailing, the fun sports area and test motorboat rides as part of Yamaha's Helmet Master EX test days. The culinary offerings and the harbour night with live music on Saturday evening rounded off the event in Neustadt.
"Water sports are part of Schleswig-Holstein - in addition to the many great regattas on offer, this outstanding In-Water Boatshow is also part of Schleswig-Holstein," said Magdalena Finke, State Secretary in the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities, Housing and Sport, who opened the event on Friday.
Good atmosphere among visitors and exhibitors at the Ancora Yacht Festival
Heiko Zimmermann, founder of the festival organiser Yachtfestival365 GmbH, reports on the "good mood flair": "The positive atmosphere that came across here helps the entire industry. Of course, the weather helped us enormously this weekend. But all 180 exhibitors also took the opportunity to make the most of the great conditions in the 5-star Ancora Marina."
The figures suggest that word of this positive mood has spread: according to the organisers, the yacht festival also recorded an increase in visitors on the following days after the strongest Friday in the history of the boat exhibitions at Ancora Marina. In total, there were nine per cent more visitors than last year. The audience consisted of a mixture of well-informed experts and interested newcomers who strolled along the jetties and promenades.
The exhibitors reported good discussions that will lead to concrete offers and orders in the post-fair business. In some cases, contracts were signed directly on the yachts on display. Many exhibitors have already announced their participation for next year. This year, the Riva Ariston was the festival's entrée. Next year, the shipyard wants to move more into the centre and present its boats in a lounge atmosphere.
The Beneteau shipyard made a major appearance this year to mark its 140th birthday: the world's largest manufacturer of leisure boats was represented with a wide range of yachts - from sailing and motor boats to the Excess 11 catamaran. "We had a great location on the promenade with a great atmosphere. The shipyard is happy, and so are the customers," reported Thorsten Bergheim, Managing Director of Beneteau dealer BM-Yachting.
Sales Manager of Yamaha Motor's marine division, Thomas Schütz, reported that customers were very well informed. During the Helm Master EX test days, the intelligent joystick control system could be tested on various boats. "The system offers ease and safety. Many people are interested in retrofitting their yacht." According to Schütz, the yacht festival offered perfect conditions for the test days - also due to the weather.
Taster for beginners
The Ancora Yacht Festival found co-operation partners in the associations and clubs from the motor sport and sailing sector for the hands-on activities. The chairman of the Schleswig-Holstein Sailing Association (SVSH), Jan-Dirk Tenge, was also satisfied: "Sailing for newcomers could not have been presented more effectively than at this event." Together with the German Sailing Association, the Kiel Yacht Club, the Grömitzer Segel-Club, the Scharbeutz Yacht Club and the Malente-Gremsmühlen Sailing Association, the SVSH offered sailing opportunities.
Around 200 visitors aged between six and 80 were brought onto the water. Catamaran sailing, surfing and wingfoiling could also be tried out in the fun sports area on the beach. "The offer was very well received. People came here with busy schedules: first taster sailing, then fun sports and then motor boating. We had a lot of fun and were able to get many interested people out on the water," reported Sven Heinze from Sail and Surf Pelzerhaken.
According to the organisers, the Ancora Yacht Festival is a successful mix of a boat show with yachts and boats in their natural element, information and entertainment on the stages, as well as offering a low-threshold introduction to water sports. This mix attracts a wider audience and is also appreciated by the exhibitors. "For the public, an in-water show offers a much more direct experience than a trade fair in the hall," says Magnus Rassy, CEO Hallberg-Rassy, who presented the HR 69 in the water for the first time here.
- The next Ancora Yacht Festival will take place from 23 to 25 May 2025.
- The next Hamburg Yacht Festival will take place from 6 to 8 September 2024 in the Hamburg marina in Wedel on the Elbe.
