See the impressive Marina

The Marina, in association with Cowes Online, takes up a quarter of a mile of dockside and boasts over 50 craft from luxury sailing yachts to motor yachts, associated tenders to fishing boats and RIBs to day sailors.

New for 2008 is the dedicated outside exhibition space which will feature a total of 15 inland craft, in association with Towpath Talk.  Manufacturers from the inland waterway industry will be showcasing both narrow and wide beam boats at the west end of the dock.  From the very small to the very large, the inland craft range from the narrow Sea Otter craft at just 9.4m long, right up to the luxury 21.3m long canal boat from holiday company Heritage Narrow Boats.

Thundercats
Friday 11 – Fri 18 January
Don’t miss the impressive Thundercats display every hour (12pm – 4pm).

Welcome to the ultimate adrenaline fuelled sport, Thundercat Racing.  Thundercat Racing is highly competitive, hugely exciting and an adrenaline filled race series that keeps attracting ever-growing audience and competitors.

It’s based on a 400 metres X 200 metres 'M' circuit that has five turn buoys including a chicane. This close action racing produces an adrenaline sport that is exciting and thrilling for both racers and spectators.

Carmela Cup
Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 January (12pm – 4pm)
The 2008 National Championship of Two-Boat Team Racing in Keelboats, the Carmela Cup, will be held over the first weekend of the Show.  Taking place in the Royal Victoria Docks the teams will comprise of 8 people sailing in two boats, four to a boat.

B14, 29er and 49er Grand Prix
Saturday 19 January (12pm – 4pm)
After the success of the last few years this Grand Prix event will once again take place on the final Saturday of the Show.

Yachts & Yachting ‘Battle of the Classes’ Pursuit Race
Sunday 20 January (12pm – 4pm)

Don’t miss the culmination of the ‘Dinghy Weekend’ on the final Sunday.  Class Associations will be showcasing their boats and taking part in a highly competitive race to prove which class has the top sailors.  The format allows for two entries per class with a team prize of the class combined scores, claimed in 2007 by the National 12 class association.

Also view the 20 extra dinghy classes displayed on the dockside, staffed by keen and enthusiastic class members willing to offer all their experience and advice to visitors interested to try any of these 20 famous designs.

See this year's other main features and attractions