A BOAT show aimed at “serious buyers” is to return to Southampton in May.

MDL Marinas is bringing its South Coast Boat Show to its Ocean Village Marina for the third time from May 6-8.

As well as top power and sail boat brands, the event will showcase ancillary services such as gear, finance and insurance.

Tim Mayer, MDL’s sales and marketing director, said: “Owing to its carefully curated selection of boats ready to go, this show is an absolute must for serious buyers who are looking to purchase a brand-new vessel immediately to get out on the water this coming season, or within the next 6-18 months.

“Understanding the value of a show focused on generating strong leads and direct sales, we’ve got many exhibitors from last year returning in 2022, as well as some new faces, both on and off the water.”

Brands that have confirmed they will be on the water include Arcona, Axopar, Beneteau Power and Sail, Broadblue Catamarans, Dehler, Dufour Yachts, Fjord, Fountaine Pajot, Galeon Yachts, Grand Soleil, Hanse, Hylas, J/Boats, Jeanneau, Lagoon Catamarans, Moody, Nautitech, Princess, Saxdor, Sealine, Seaward, Solaris, Viko and X-Yachts.

Exhibitors already signed up for shoreside space include General Yachting & Leisure Finance, JDK Marine, Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, Ship Shape Bedding and Vanclaes Stainless Steel Boat Trailers.

Admission is free and registration is at mdlmarinas.co.uk/scbs.

Appointments to view the boats on display can be made directly with the yacht broker.

MDL Marinas is also bringing back its Green Tech Boat Show at Plymouth’s Queen Anne’s Battery marina from June 16-18.

Last year’s South Coast Boat Show was one of the first to be held in person since the start of the pandemic.

It saw nearly 700 appointments booked by 500 serious buyers over three days, with MDL calling its success a “big boost to the leisure marine industry”.

The 2020 show had to be cancelled because of the worsening pandemic.

MDL is one of the Europe’s largest marina operators.

The company’s other Hampshire marinas are at Southampton’s Shamrock Quay, Hythe and Port Hamble.