More than 425 new boats in the harbour
Hiswa te Water 2026 has closed after its 41st edition brought more than 425 new boats to Bataviahaven. The show combined sailboats, motorboats and specialist leisure craft in an on-water setting, giving visitors the chance to compare a wide range of current production boats in one place.
The scale of the display is particularly relevant to Leisure Boat Guide because a large share of the European leisure market sits below 12 metres. Shows such as Hiswa provide a useful snapshot of where builders are concentrating development, from compact family cruisers and dayboats to electric craft and specialist watersports products.
Awards and technology broadened the programme
The 2026 event also included Boat of the Year awards, bringing independent attention to new designs across the Dutch and wider European market. Alongside the boats themselves, equipment and technology exhibitors gave visitors access to propulsion, energy and onboard-system developments that increasingly influence purchase decisions.
ICOMIA’s event recap also highlights the atmosphere around the marina and the organisers’ emphasis on a broad watersports audience. That mix matters because a successful boat show is not only a sales venue; it can also introduce new users to different boat types and help existing owners compare replacement options.
The next edition is already scheduled
Organisers are already looking ahead to the next Hiswa te Water, scheduled for 1 to 5 September 2027. The continuing scale of the show makes it one of the useful European sources for monitoring small and medium leisure craft, particularly models aimed at inland and coastal cruising.
For LBG, the 2026 figures provide a useful market marker rather than just an event recap. More than 425 new boats gathered in one harbour demonstrates the depth of the recreational sector and reinforces why our coverage needs to extend well beyond a small group of high-profile brands.