SINGAPORE — The Singapore Airshow’s aerial displays are a perennial favourite highlight. But with the top gun action mostly overhead, getting the best view of the death-defying stunts can be tricky. But it looks like the nautically inclined might have the best seats in the house.

Take Joy, a boater who, together with her banker friend, plans to spend her weekend at the air show — but not exactly. The two, who are in their 40s, co-own a boat and will take their vessel out to the waters around Changi to see those planes zoom by.

“We will be witnessing the aerial display out at sea to get a different perspective of the planes and to enjoy the performance which we expect to be spectacular,” she told TODAY. “We also thought it might be fun this year to be part of the action and excitement of the Airshow while lounging in comfort out at sea.”

This is the first time Joy will be doing this but she’s not the only one.

“Back in 2012, a Singapore Airlines pilot suggested a boating rendezvous to meet up just off Changi to view the aerial display. And from that moment, we never missed each subsequent Singapore Airshow,” said Eric Koh from SGBoating, a Singapore recreational boating and yachting retailer, which also organises boating events regularly for their customers.

“This also includes the time the Brietling Acrobatic team came to Singapore in March 2013. We had more than a dozen boating friends watching the display just off Sentosa Beach.”

Looks like all you need are good sea legs and a boat to get the most of the aerial festivities this weekend. But what is the best thing about seeing the Singapore Airshow from a boat? According to Koh, being “up close and personal”.

“The aerial fly-by display actually takes place along the stretch of sea between Changi and Pulau Tekong,” he said. “We get to see the plane really up close, compared to viewing from the shoreline further away.”

He revealed that there were no restrictions taking one’s boats out during such events, but that the Police Coast Guard will be there “to ensure boaters do not get overexcited” or stray too close to the shoreline. “Otherwise, we basically have the best view in the house!” remarked Koh.

For this year’s Airshow, SGBoating are putting together a weekend boating rally that starts from Saturday. For more details, check 
out http://www.sgboating.com/
newsevents.html.