While the towering luxury yachts and sleek hulls at Mayflower Park do tend to steal the spotlight, any seasoned boat owner knows the real magic often happens in the smaller tents and on the smaller stands.

This year’s Southampton International Boat Show was packed with practical innovations, smart power upgrades, and clever space-saving electronics designed to make life afloat smoother, safer, and more efficient.

From brush-free watermakers to radar-based tank monitors, here is some of the best new kit worth seeking out on the stands.

Icom IC-M430 fixed-mount VHF

Designed for a chart table/wheelhouse setup where space is at a premium, the IC-M430 features an ultra-slim design with 50% less depth than previous models for easier integration.

Key features include a vivid colour screen with Night Mode for clear viewing in all lighting conditions. It includes built-in GPS and NMEA connectivity (NMEA 2000 and 0183) and also supports dual-station capability via the optional HM-195GB Commandmic (£195).

Icom will also be displaying and selling ​​the MA-600TRBB Class B AIS transponder at the show. This high-performance Black Box Class B+ SOTDMA setup delivers 5W of transmit power, ensuring your vessel remains visible at all speeds and in crowded waters.

Find out more at Icom

AQUA AMP Charging Solutions

IMP will be exhibiting a new range of rugged charging solutions from AquaAmp, including wireless Qi2.2 charging pads (Qi2.2 boosts maximum power output to 25W, utilises magnetic alignment, and adds smart thermal monitoring), 100W USB-C chargers (£145), dual USB-C ports and 12V outlets, all designed for reliable 12V DC installation.

Sadly, the cleverest charger – the AquaAmp SeaSocket (£198) – is not at the show. It’s a cup holder that doubles as a wireless 12V/30A (360W) socket capable of powering a dozen different AquaAmp devices, including an air-pump, a lamp and even a Starlink receiver.

Find out more at Improducts

Dessalator BLDC Watermakers

Dessalator has moved its Freedom and Duo D60/D100 watermakers to brushless DC (BLDC) motors, which run more quietly and efficiently while still producing 60 and 100 litres of fresh water an hour.

The brushless motors draw less power for the same output, reducing energy consumption to just 450W on the D100. Additionally, with no brushes to wear, service life is longer and routine maintenance is minimal. The motors stay cool in ambient temperatures up to 50°C (122°F) and run on both lead-acid and lithium banks.

Find out more at Advanced Yacht

STR Radar enabled tank level sensors

TekTanks will be demonstrating and selling a new range of radar-enabled tank-monitoring devices by Slovenian company Simarine. The STR devices mount on top of any composite tank and measure its contents without relying on a probe or a float.

They can be retrofitted without removing the old sender, and setup is completed via Bluetooth using a mobile phone. The STR1 is compatible with American and British analogue displays, including Wema, Geloo, VDO, Victron, Maretron and Kuss. It can be linked to three different displays.

It’s an ideal drop-in replacement for a failed system that is already hard-wired to analogue displays. The STR2 (£109.95) is also Bluetooth-enabled, but more importantly it’s NMEA 2000 compliant, meaning the readings can be displayed on any compliant multifunction display/chartplotter screen. Both units are sealed and come with three-year warranties. For metal tanks, a tank adaptor set is available.

Find out more at Tek Tanks

Fender Mate Adjustment toggles

British company Marine Innovations has rethought the status quo with regards to hanging, adjusting and stowing fenders, but the simple toggle has any number of other uses.

This year’s innovation is the RIB Fender Mate, but of greater interest for yacht owners is the original Fender Mate – a simple, cheap adjustable lanyard toggling system – and the slightly more complex Fender Mate Slider, which resembles a boom brake for a fender lanyard.

For anyone seeking a way to stow fenders on the rail, there is a £10 set that will do exactly that.

Find out more at Marine Innovations

Jimmy Green Marine Soft shackles 4mm-9mm

The Jimmy Green Rigging Team produces Dyneema soft shackles in the classic stopper knot and noose eye design and will have a full range of them available at the show.

Soft shackles are particularly useful for solving tricky connection issues involving complex angles and awkward profiles, making them a versatile all-round choice for replacing traditional metal shackles in many marine applications.

Jimmy Green Soft Shackles are manufactured from Marlow D12 Dyneema SK78 and are tested to minimum breakloads ranging from 1,850kg for 4mm diameter line up to 7,900kg for 9mm line. Worth a look!

Find out more at Jimmy Green

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