After a strong debut at the 2025 show, the Wooden Boat Stage is set to return in 2026 with a significantly expanded presence at the Southampton International Boat Show.
The stage launched in 2025 through a collaboration between the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis (BBA), the Wooden Boatbuilders' Trade Association (WBTA), and Women In Boat Building (WIBB), with the aim of spotlighting wooden boatbuilding skills in the UK.
The inaugural edition drew steady visitor interest through daily demonstrations, practical sessions, and expert-led talks and panels. Many visitors shared personal connections to wooden boats, contributing to a welcoming and authentic atmosphere around the stage.
Building on that momentum, the Southampton International Boat Show is investing in a larger platform for 2026, with more live demonstrations, storytelling, and skills-in-action content.
The 2026 show runs from 18 to 27 September.
