Suzuki Marine GB is celebrating another successful year at the Southampton International Boat Show, where its stand once again welcomed customers, dealers and guests to experience and join in with the world of Suzuki.
With a host of marine activities, fundraising for a very special charity and engagement with the wider community, the show again proved a highlight in Suzuki’s annual calendar of events.
A hub of activity
Across 10 days of the show, Suzuki delivered a programme of activities which connected with and involved visitors of all ages and boating experience.
- More than 900 people took to the water on the free Suzuki RIB Rides. Operated in partnership with Solent RIB Charters, the DF300AP-powered RIB gave visitors a taste of Suzuki’s efficient and reliable outboards.
- The Fishing Simulator, supported by the Suzuki Fishing Team, saw over 240 anglers test their skills in a friendly competition to ‘beat the pros’. The simulator also attracted many returning faces who were keen to beat their previous scores, as well as many who had never fished before.
- The DF2.5 runtime competition gave visitors a chance to win an outboard of their own. Nine lucky winners will be taking home a new DF2.5 outboard for guessing how long a single litre of fuel would keep the outboard running.
- Over 2,500 cups of free coffee were served from the Jimny Beans coffee car, providing a social stop-off for customers and guests.
- Suzuki also helped to reduce single-use plastic at the show with their outboard-inspired water fountain, refilling over 400 water bottles over 10 days.
- Suzuki’s branded bamboo sunglasses made a popular return, alongside recycled tote bags, Trilby hats and pens – all of which proved a great hit with visitors.
- Suzuki also highlighted its VIP Care Campaign, which ensures customers feel supported long after their outboard purchase. The campaign provides tailored care packages including practical items such as Suzuki-branded lifejackets, skincare kits and marine headtorches, designed to promote safety, comfort and peace of mind on the water.
Supporting a great cause
Through Suzuki’s activities at the show, the brand helped to support Wetwheels, a marine charity that provides barrier-free boating experiences for disabled individuals using Suzuki-powered catamarans.
Thanks to generous donations by customers and visitors, £3,514.61 was raised for the charity – an incredible amount that will go towards supporting the operation of Wetwheels’ boats and the trips they run.
Peter Carden, Director of Operations at Wetwheels Foundation, said, “Once again, Suzuki has pulled out all the stops and have raised a fantastic £3500 for the Wetwheels Foundation at the Southampton International Boat Show. Sam the coffee man worked extremely hard providing a great coffee whilst the team on the stand asked for donations for prized Suzuki sunglasses and hats which flew off the shelves. This fantastic effort from all involved means that we can get 100 disabled people out on the water to enjoy the wind in their hair and the freedom that boating provides. Our heartfelt thanks to all those involved.”
Attention-grabbing outboards
Alongside their show activities, Suzuki also showcased highlights from its product range.
Gathering particular attention were models from Suzuki’s Stealth Line, which included the DF115B, DF140B, DF300AP and the redesigned DF250AUNX, all featuring sleek matt black cowling.
To mark six decades of Suzuki Marine innovation, a unique DF60AVTL was unveiled in a striking ruby wrap. This one-of-a-kind design symbolised both Suzuki’s heritage and its forward-looking approach, celebrating 60 years of engineering excellence and trusted performance on the water. The model drew significant attention from visitors, with many stopping to admire and photograph the special edition.
Commenting on the show overall, Mark Beeley, Head of ATV & Marine for Suzuki GB, said, “The Southampton International Boat Show is always a special event for us – not just to showcase our products, but to connect with the wider marine community. This year’s stand was buzzing with activity, and we’re especially proud of the fantastic amount raised for Wetwheels. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and supported us at the show.”
