10 February 2026
Boats, sails and communities to discover at the 2026 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
From performance upgrades and new launches to class celebrations and expert advice, set your course for the season ahead
One of the biggest challenges at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show (21-22 February) is deciding just where to start!
Whether you’re considering a new boat purchase, looking to improve your performance through sails and setup advice, or you’re keen to tap into the knowledge and community offered by Class Associations, our exhibitors have so much expertise to share.
Here are just some of the highlights across the boat and sail retailers and Class Associations you’ll find this year at Farnborough International.
Boats worth stepping aboard
GP Watercraft will be showcasing the full Nautivela range at the show for the first time, including 420s, Optimists and ILCA hulls and spares. Whether you’re upgrading, replacing or stocking up, visit them on stand L35 where they’re offering great show deals on spares across the board.
Sharing the spotlight is the Melges 15, now established as the Endeavour Trophy boat of choice and built on the Melges philosophy of fast, fun and stable. With an exciting 2026 calendar of events including the inaugural UK Nationals in Torbay and the Europeans on Lake Garda with charter boats available, the Melges 15 is heading for new heights this coming season. Join the journey and book your boat today at stand L35.
RS Aeros on the startline
RS Sailing (stand G30) will once again bring a strong line-up reflecting their breadth across junior, youth and adult sailing. The RS Tera remains a cornerstone of junior sailing, valued for its simplicity, durability and strong class racing scene. Also on display will be the RS Feva, one of the world’s fastest-growing double-handed junior boats, alongside the ultra-light RS Aero, which continues to attract sailors seeking elite performance. For those interested in bigger-boat sailing, the RS21 offers a modern keelboat option with an active racing calendar and growing community.
Upgrades and show-only offers
Hartley Boats (L24) has some amazing offers and show discounts for visitors this year, including on its Zenith single-hander and on three new additions to the Zenith family – the Zenith 2 double-hander, the Zen and the Zee. You can take advantage of £5,000 off the Zenith, and 50 per cent off of the list prices for the Zenith 2, the Zen and Zee which you can see for the first time at the show.
Hartley is also offering its ‘best ever’ rotor boats spring deal, aimed at RYA sailing schools and training centres seeking to refresh their dinghy training fleets. They’re offering half price discounts on the H10, H12, H12.2, H15 and Wayfarer Trainers, with a four-year guarantee on boats and sails and tailored finance packages available. With offers on a first come, first served basis, visit the team to find out more and secure your deal.
The Zenith from Hartley Boats
Sail Power will present the UK premiere of the new BirdyFish range at the show this year. IODA and BirdyFish S are stable, fast and accessible foilers designed to make your first flight simple. With a special show offer available, visit the team at stand B50 to find out more and start flying.
For many sailors, upgrading sails or improving setup can deliver some of the biggest gains on the water, and there will be plenty of expertise available at the show.
At CB Cover Store (stand B1) visitors can speak directly with North Sails expert Charlie Cumbley at 11am on Sunday (22 February) who’ll be offering advice on sail choice, tuning and optimisation. Whether you’re chasing marginal performance gains or simply want reassurance that you’re on the right track, it’s a valuable opportunity to get personalised input from a leading sailmaker. There’s also a practical incentive to stop by: 10 per cent off North Sails orders placed at the show. The team will also have Solo masts and sails for sale, plus covers, road bases and trolleys.
Sail Power will be showing the BirdyFish S and IODA by BirdyFish. (c) Martina Orsini / We Are Foiling Media
Class Associations: milestones, launches and hands-on fun
With over 70 Class Associations exhibiting this year, the 2026 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show is where sailing communities come together. If you’re looking to find your tribe, learn more about a class or discover what support and activity exists beyond your local club, this is the place to start.
Several classes are also marking significant milestones at the show. The Merlin Rocket Owners’ Association will be celebrating its 80th anniversary, inviting visitors to join them for a cake-cutting ceremony at 12pm on Saturday (21 February) as they mark the start of their anniversary celebrations. They’re also inviting any show-goers who’ve previously owned or sailed a Merlin Rocket to contribute to their ‘I had one of those’ memory board at stand J34 – bring a photo too if you’re happy to leave it with the class.
It’s also a milestone year for the Shearwater Catamaran Class Association, which will be marking 70 years this year. Visitors are invited to stop by and celebrate the occasion at stand B12 at 1pm on Saturday.
The National Firefly Association celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026
Big anniversaries continue with the National 12 Class Association, celebrating 90 years, and on stand D14 you can race either a vintage or modern model N12 for the chance to win a prize. The National Firefly Association has its 80th anniversary (stand B14), the National Solo Class Association (stand D30) is marking 70 years, while the Norfolk Punt Sailors Association (stand D42) reaches an impressive 100-year milestone.
Don’t forget, dinghy historian Dougal Henshall will be discussing the role and development of RYA National Classes in his talk ‘The starting line for growth’ (12.30pm, Sunsail Main Stage), exploring how they’ve helped shape the world’s most diverse dinghy scene.
For younger sailors and families, the Cadet Class will be bringing along its much-loved Cadet Simulator, giving visitors a hands-on way to experience the boat and understand what makes it such a popular junior class. Try and set the best time for a hoist, gybe and drop on stand I12.
You can find out more from RS Sailing (stand G30) on the 2026 RS Games – their quadrennial celebration featuring 12 RS classes and 13 major championships across 10 days – while the Topaz Taz Class Association has something new to discover with the launch of the new Topaz Taz at the show (stand L25). Its brand-new racy battened sail promises to add even more speed, excitement and fun.
Join us at the show
From new boats and sail upgrades to milestone celebrations, the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show brings together the people, knowledge and equipment that shape the season ahead.
Show tickets are on sale now. RYA Members can access a complimentary weekend ticket worth £22.50, while kids aged 15 and under go free with an accompanying adult.
Book your tickets today and follow us on socials @RYADinghyShow to discover more about what’s in store this year.
