Walking the Plank in Portorož

17/06/2023 Seamus Comments 0 Comment

Visit to INTERNAUTICA International Boat Show 2023

Seamus the Seagull standing on a seat in yacht, steering wheel in foreground, other boats in marina in background, Internautica International Boat Show, Portoroz, Slovenia

I might have mentioned before that Her Ladyship is a total landlubber and that the mere thought of boats makes her seasick. So you could have knocked me over with one of my own feathers when I heard her agreeing to join His Lordship on a visit to INTERNAUTICA in Portorož. She must be going a bit soft in her old age. Whatever promoted her, I didn’t care. I was going to a boat show, yippee!

We had been to Portorož before when we visited the Sečovlje salt flats, but this time Her Ladyship was getting herself into deep water…

When we entered the first exhibition hall, I started to get worried. Everything under the sun was on display – except boats! Clothing, vacuum cleaners, barbecues … even tooth implants for goodness sake! Things did improve somewhat as we came across stalls selling sausages, local hams, olive oils, truffle products, but still!

Light green modern jet ski on display with information sheet on stand to the right, blue jet ski to right, Internautica International Boat Show, Portoroz, Slovenia

Thankfully, once we hit the second hall, things started to look up. I finally got to see some rubber dinghies, jet skis and even some small speed boats. There were also a few camper vans on display outdoors which kept Herself quite happy for a while.

Blonde woman in dark leggings and white jacket walking on gangplank onto modern yacht, other yachts to right and behind, Internautica International Boat Show, Portoroz, Slovenia

When we emerged out onto the marina, we finally got to the serious stuff: the yachts. This was more like it! Believe it or not, even Her Ladyship’s curiosity got the better of her and she dared to walk the plank – the gangplank from harbour edge to each boat. Very gingerly! And once she was on board, I thought she looked comfortable enough. Well, for goodness sake, with this luxury, why wouldn’t she? I certainly fancied myself as Skipper Seamus on a couple of these stunning vessels.

View of stern of wooden sailing boat with brass fittings and ropes, Internautica International Boat Show, Portoroz, Slovenia

The yachts and cruisers got bigger and bigger and more and more luxurious as we moved along the marina. Wow! But I must say that for me, the most elegant vessel of all was this beautiful wooden sailing boat dating from 1908. I don’t think it was even part of the show, but it made those ultra-modern, state-of-the-art showboats pale in comparison. What craftsmanship!

picture of ropes on sailing boat. Internautica International Boat Show, Portoroz, Slovenia

It was heartening, all the same, to see modern technology being put to good use in the luxurious world of boating. Some of the companies displaying their wares included manufacturers of electric outboard motors. I couldn’t believe how quiet those engines were. Gosh, imagine if noisy, petrol-guzzling motors were a thing of the past. The seas would be wonderfully quiet, the only sounds being the splashing of waves and the cries of the seagulls… Well, the seas would be a wee bit quieter anyway.

View from top of stairs down into galley of modern sailing boat with bedroom cabin in background, Internautica International Boat Show, Portoroz, Slovenia

When His Lordship started making enquiries about the price of chartering a yacht, I almost dared to dream about actually setting out to sea in one of those beauties. Sadly, Herself wasn’t biting. ‘Those bedrooms are miniscule, far too claustrophobic for me!’… ‘Imagine how wet you’d get, out at sea in that yoke!’ … ‘We’re tied up in the harbour and the bloomin’ thing is still bobbing around like mad!’ No, I think His Lordship – and I – will have to dream on.