A selection of stunning marine craft were on display on Wednesday as the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show 2019 opened its doors for a second year. In Adnec’s 40,000sqm harbour, state-of-the-art yachts and vast, luxury powerboats competed for the attention of ocean-going fans. Amid the assembled flotilla on day one, exhibitors were keen to show visitors not just how sumptuous the vessels on offer were, but also how much high-tech kit was onboard. One of the event’s most eye-catching creations was the 10-metre Foiler, built by Enata Marine. The publicity bumpf for the hydro-foiling boat claimed its ability to lift itself almost entirely out of the water when travelling above 40 knots was guaranteed to add "a little drama" to your life. Sounds about right. But if you fancy something a little more sedate - perhaps more along the lines of a traditional luxury cruiser - there's still plenty to choose from. The Cranchi E52 F Evoluzione, for example, is a spacious 16-metres long and can comfortably fit 12 passengers on board. At top whack it'll get you to 32 knots and its interior can only be described as palatial. The monolith of this year’s show, however, has to go to Alkous Marine's 40-metre houseboat. It’s a party vessel if ever there was one, with ample space for a dance. Yet if all that seems a little over the top, you could do worse than opt for the UAE-built Rhino Rider, a cheeky little 3-metre runaround that'll do 32 knots. It’s almost impossible to topple, the manufacturers claim, and looks like plenty of fun. Extreme marine rough and tumble is a key part of the show, too. Organisers partnered with Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Company to pull in water-based recreation enthusiasts, who perform jet ski stunts for onlookers. Virtual reality fishing is also on offer, with angling experts on hand with new techniques to improve your catch in the real world. Some 284 exhibitors from 26 countries have shipped their wares to the event, which is spread over an area a third larger than the show’s debut last year. The expansion shows a keenness from organisers to replicate some of the attention enjoyed by the event’s sibling exhibition in Dubai. Tickets for the show, which runs daily from 4pm to 10pm until October 19, can be purchased online at <a href="https://adibs.ae">https://adibs.ae</a> for Dh20.
