Tarek and I visited the Yokohama Boat Show. This is the autumn edition of the boat show that is held in Yokohama in March, but on a much smaller scale. The event was held at Yokohama Bayside Marina on 25-27 September, with around a dozen boats (all motor boats) on display on the pontoons and a number of equipment makers and other companies exhibiting in booths on the concourse. There were various activities such as boat rides. Entrance is free of charge.

We went on board a number of the boats on display and then Tarek suggested that we should go for a test drive on Toyota Marine’s PONAM-31. We booked a slot when there were only a few other people on board and this allowed Tarek to spend a good amount of time at the controls when we were allowed to test drive the boat. Tarek is a motor head when it comes to boats, and you could see he was having the time of his life as he powered her up and threw her around. Even for a yacht person like me, I have to say the ride was exhilarating. Hmm, maybe there is a motorboat somewhere in my future…
One of the cool things about the PONAM range is the TM-CAST (Toyota Marine – Captain Assist Technologies) system that allows you to control the boat from your smartphone or smart watch, including an automatic docking function.

The PONAM-31 is priced at around ¥70m but unfortunately even though Tarek and I both emptied our pockets the combined amount wasn’t enough to buy it. 

The next date for your diary is the Yokohama Floating Yacht Show that will be held 2-4 October at Yokohama Bayside Marina https://www.kazi.co.jp/yachtshow/