Boats of all sizes (and prices) at the new Nautical Club

BarcelonaThe Boat Show has once again invaded Port Vell with yachts and sailboats looking for buyers, after being unable to take place last year due to the America's Cup. The enforced break has served to reformulate the event, with the aim of repositioning it internationally and attracting major brands, without forgetting to try to attract attendees willing to spend.

"It's a change of direction towards quality, with more boat models, larger lengths, and new spaces. We're doing this not only to be among the leading shows in Europe but also to help position Barcelona as the nautical capital of the Mediterranean," explains Luis Conde, president of the Boat Show, organized by Fira de Barcelona.

With 500 boats on offer, brands such as Brunswick, Beneteau, Lagoon, and De Antonio Yachts will participate. From this Wednesday through Sunday, those interested in buying a boat can stroll around and take a close look at the model they've been eyeing online for months. At a show that feels very Italian, some people go around saying that buying a boat was cheaper "at the time," while others admit that "it's always been expensive." Xavier and Montse, with a budget of around 400,000 euros, want a new boat because they like to sail whenever they can, but not so much in August, as they point out, because "there's no room."

With the heat surprising more than one attendee on the first day of the show, there are models for all tastes, but not for all budgets. You can start with the smallest boat of all those exhibited this year at the Náutico, with a length of 5.98 meters, from the Dutch brand Maxima Boats. As the distributor for Spain, Rubén Marota, points out, all you need is a sailing license to operate it; it's not too difficult to pass or too expensive. With a retail price of 74,000 euros, Marota wants to make sailing more accessible with this model, with the option of renting it with several friends for 300 euros for a few hours.

Before exploring the larger ones, the tour allows you to see boats that look like they're straight out of a James Bond movie. This is the case with the models from Kumbra Yachts, a new brand created by the family behind the Moure group, owner of the Elefante Azul car-washing centers and the gas stations. low cost Autonetoil. With three generations of sailors, the Moure family wanted boats that were both functional and well-designed. The result is a model with a length of about 11 meters and a price tag of about €340,000. So far, last season, they have already sold almost twenty boats.

At the Náutico, the budget rises quickly, basically, as the boats gain size. In an edition where the number of large boats (between 16 and 30 meters) has doubled, the record was held by Horizon, a Taiwanese shipyard based in Palma. The largest model measures 30 meters, with capacity for 16 people, spread across eight cabins, three of them for the crew. For those interested, its price is €13.5 million.

Of course, it's hard to find someone willing to buy an electric boat, both because of the limited range and the higher price. "It's like the car; it's still a long way off. Reality is stubborn," summarize Francisco and Elvira, with a budget of 200,000 euros. One of the few electric boats on display at the Náutico, run by the New Zealand company Earthling, is way over budget, with a price tag of 800,000 euros. Being from that country of origin, the connection with the America's Cup is almost obligatory, and the company's founder had previously worked for the local team. Although attendees may view them with suspicion, electric models not only avoid burning oil, but also have a clear improvement over traditional ones: a quiet engine.