If you’ve ever walked into a boat show saying:

“We’re only looking.”

…you probably already know how this ends. One minute you're inspecting a 6-metre RIB.

Twenty minutes later you're standing in the saloon of a 35-foot cruiser discussing whether the kids really need separate cabins.

The Southampton International Boat Show returns to Mayflower Park from 18–27 September 2026, bringing together hundreds of boats, marine businesses, equipment suppliers and boating experts.

For anyone thinking about buying a boat, it is one of the best opportunities of the year to compare different models in one place.

But before you fall hopelessly in love with something shiny, here are a few things worth working out first.

1. Start with the monthly budget, not the boat

This is probably the most important bit.

When most people start looking for a boat, they search by price:

Boats under £50,000.

Boats under £100,000.

But if you're planning to use finance, there is another way to think about it:

How much would you comfortably like to spend each month?

That might be £400.

It might be £750.

It might be £1,500.

Starting with the monthly figure can help you understand what sort of boats could realistically fit your budget.

That's exactly why we built Boats On Finance.

Rather than endlessly scrolling through boats and then trying to work out whether they're affordable, you can tell us your comfortable monthly budget and explore boats currently available from trusted UK suppliers that could fit around it.

[See what your monthly budget could buy →]

2. Don't forget the cost of owning the boat

Buying the boat is only part of the equation.

Before deciding what you can comfortably afford, think about what ownership itself might cost.

Depending on the type of boat, that could include:

• Marina or mooring fees

• Insurance

• Fuel

• Engine servicing

• Winterisation

• Lifting and launching

• Antifouling

• Storage

• Safety equipment

• Maintenance and repairs

• The inevitable mysterious piece of boating equipment you hadn't planned to buy

Different boats can have dramatically different running costs.

A trailerable sportsboat kept at home is a very different ownership proposition from a twin-engine 40-foot motor cruiser permanently berthed in a marina.

So don't necessarily spend every penny of your available budget buying the boat.

Leave yourself enough room to actually enjoy owning it.

3. Work out what you're actually going to do with it

Before asking:

“What boat should I buy?”

Ask:

“What do I actually want to do on my boat?”

That sounds simple, but it can completely change what you should be looking at.

Are you imagining:

• Family weekends on the Solent?

• Watersports?

• Fishing?

• Coastal cruising?

• Sailing holidays?

• Cross-Channel trips?

• Lazy afternoons anchored somewhere nice?

• Racing?

• Overnight stays?

• Exploring rivers and estuaries?

If you're visiting Southampton Boat Show, write down your three most important uses before arriving.

Then keep referring back to them.

Because that beautiful boat you're standing on might be brilliant.

It just might not be brilliant for you.

4. Compare as many boats as possible

One of the huge advantages of a boat show is being able to physically compare boats rather than switching between browser tabs.

Something that looks fantastic in photographs might feel completely different when you're aboard.

And something you hadn't considered might surprise you.

When viewing a boat, don't just admire the shiny bits.

Actually imagine using it.

Sit in the helm seat

Can you see properly?

Would you be comfortable there for several hours?

Sit everyone around the table

Does the claimed six-person seating actually work with six human beings?

Open the lockers

Where will everything go?

Boats somehow accumulate enormous quantities of ropes, lifejackets, fenders, paddleboards, towels, coats, tools and miscellaneous objects whose purpose nobody can quite remember.

Look at engine access

Because somebody will eventually need to service it.

Go below

Can you stand comfortably?

Could you actually sleep in the berths?

Would you spend a wet Saturday afternoon aboard without slowly losing your mind?

These things matter far more than another two knots of top speed.

5. Understand what your budget could actually buy

This is where boat buying becomes interesting.

People are often surprised by what a monthly budget can potentially unlock.

Depending on your deposit, finance term, circumstances and the boat itself, you might discover that your budget stretches considerably further than you expected.

Or that spending slightly less leaves you much more comfortable once running costs are included.

That's why Boats On Finance lets you approach the search backwards.

Instead of:

Find boat → fall in love → investigate finance → discover whether it works

you can start with:

Set budget → see suitable boats → understand finance → book viewings

It's a much calmer way of doing things.

Particularly when hundreds of boats are competing for your attention at a boat show.

[Find boats for your budget →]

6. If you've found “the one”, don't rush

Boat shows are exciting places. They're supposed to be.

There may also be:

• Show offers

• Limited stock

• Dealer incentives

• New-model launches

• Other buyers looking at the same boat

All of which creates a certain amount of urgency.

But buying a boat is still a significant decision.

If you're seriously considering one, take some time.

Walk around it again. Take photographs. Ask questions. Compare it with alternatives.

Go and have lunch. Come back.

The right boat generally still looks like the right boat after you've had a sandwich and twenty minutes to think.

7. Buying used? A marine survey matters

Not every boat bought around boat-show season will be brand new.

In fact, once you've established what style and size of boat you like, you might discover that a used example offers far better value.

If you're buying used, an independent marine survey can be an important part of the process.

A professional surveyor may inspect areas including:

• Hull condition

• Structure

• Decks and fittings

• Machinery

• Electrical systems

• Steering

• Evidence of previous repairs

• Water ingress

• Safety equipment

A beautiful-looking boat can still hide expensive problems.

Spending money understanding what you're buying before completion can be considerably cheaper than discovering problems afterwards.

8. Check the paperwork too

It isn't exciting. There are no cup holders involved. But documentation matters.

Depending on the age and type of boat, you may want to see items such as:

• Evidence of ownership

• Bills of Sale

• VAT documentation where applicable

• Registration documents

• Builders Certificate

• Engine service records

• Maintenance history

• Manuals

• Previous surveys

• Evidence that any existing finance will be settled

If you're unsure about something, ask the seller or broker.

A good professional dealer should be comfortable answering sensible questions about the history of a boat.

9. Think about insurance and mooring early

Two things people sometimes leave until surprisingly late are:

Where am I going to keep it?

and

How much will it cost to insure?

Both can affect the affordability of the boat.

Marina prices vary considerably around the UK, and availability can sometimes be limited in popular locations.

Likewise, insurance costs depend on factors including the value and type of boat, where it is kept, your experience and how you intend to use it.

If you're seriously considering buying, start researching these costs before completing the purchase.

10. Speak to people who actually know boats

One of the best things about Southampton Boat Show isn't actually the boats.

It's the people.

You'll find:

• Boat dealers

• Brokers

• Boatbuilders

• Engineers

• Chandlers

• Insurers

• Surveyors

• Marina operators

• Sailing organisations

• Finance specialists

Ask questions.

Lots of them.

Good boating businesses tend to be staffed by people who genuinely like talking about boats.

The team behind Boats On Finance is no different.

Boats On Finance is powered by SALT, the specialist UK marine finance company.

That means if you want to speak to someone about what your budget might buy, how boat finance works or what to expect during the purchasing process, you're speaking to people who understand boats as well as finance.

Because sometimes you don't need another calculator.

You need a human being who understands what you're trying to buy.

So, what boat could your budget buy?

This is the fun bit.

You don't necessarily need to begin with a particular make, model or price.

You can simply start with a number:

“I'd be comfortable spending £___ per month.”

Then see what's out there.

Boats On Finance brings together hundreds of boats currently for sale from trusted UK marine suppliers, giving you a simple way to explore what might fit your budget.

You can:

• Set your comfortable monthly payment

• Browse boats that could fit your budget

• Compare different boat types

• Explore boats from trusted UK suppliers

• Seek finance pre-approval

• Use a soft credit check during the pre-approval process

• Speak to boating people if you need help

And if you find something you like, you can then arrange a viewing directly with the supplying dealer.

Your next boat might be more achievable than you think.

[See what your budget could buy →]

Visiting Southampton International Boat Show 2026?

The Southampton International Boat Show takes place from 18–27 September 2026 at Mayflower Park, Southampton.

Whether you're actively buying, vaguely considering buying or just enjoy spending an entire day looking at boats you'll convince yourself you need, it's one of the highlights of the UK boating calendar.

Go with an open mind. Try lots of boats. Ask lots of questions.

And if you accidentally find your next boat while you're there?

Well…

There are worse problems to have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to buy a boat in the UK?

Boat prices vary enormously depending on size, age, type, condition and specification. Smaller used boats can cost a few thousand pounds, while larger yachts and motorboats can run into hundreds of thousands or considerably more.

Rather than looking only at purchase price, it's worth considering your total monthly budget including finance, insurance, mooring and maintenance.

Can I finance a used boat?

Yes. Used boats can certainly be financed, subject to the boat meeting SALT's criteria and the applicant passing affordability and credit assessments.

Boats On Finance is powered by SALT, which specialises in UK leisure marine finance.

How do I know what boat I can afford?

Start with a monthly amount you would be comfortable spending.

Boats On Finance allows you to enter a monthly budget and explore boats currently for sale that could potentially fit around it.

Remember to leave room for ongoing ownership costs too.

Is it worth getting pre-approved for boat finance?

Getting an indication of your potential finance position before arranging multiple viewings can be useful because it helps establish a realistic budget.

Pre-approval isn't a guarantee that finance will ultimately be provided, but it can make the buying process more informed.

Should I get a survey when buying a used boat?

For many used boats, an independent marine survey is sensible and may also be required by a lender or insurer. SALT require a pre-purchase survey for all second hand boats.

When is Southampton International Boat Show 2026?

The show runs from 18 September to 27 September 2026 at Mayflower Park in Southampton.

Useful links

Southampton International Boat Show
Find dates, tickets, exhibitors and information about the 2026 show.

Royal Yachting Association
Useful information on buying, owning and operating boats in the UK.

British Marine
The trade association representing the UK leisure marine industry.

Boats On Finance
Browse boats for sale based around your monthly budget.

SALT
Specialist UK marine finance and the finance provider behind Boats On Finance.