On 21 December 2021, leading superyacht multimedia, events and intelligence company BOAT International Media (BOAT) announced its acquisition of data, digital and B2B media organisation Boating Communications, publisher of International Boat Industry (IBI) magazine.

The acquisition sees BOAT strengthen its position in the B2B market. Founded in 1968, IBI is the most established and respected magazine serving the volume boat industry. The deal also includes IBI’s market intelligence platform, IBI Plus, its digital channels and the company’s events. Three of Boating Communications’ directors, Ed Slack, Philippa Drysdale and Philip Pereira will continue with the company as will all the staff, while its CEO Nick Hopkinson, who has been associated with IBI since 1968, will act as a consultant to BOAT. BOAT will maintain the B2B services IBI provides to the global boating industry and will develop its print and digital offering. IBI Plus, meanwhile, will complement BOAT’s existing and market-leading BOAT Pro market intelligence platform, which serves the superyacht industry.