Trade stayed afloat at boat show

Is selling multi-million pounds yachts still possible in the economic downturn?

Businesses from across the South have been vying for the custom of the 120,000 people that visited the 41st Southampton Boatshow.

The 10-day event - the largest of its kind in Europe - showcased 1,000 boats and offered nautical products from sailing clothes and deck equipment to an £11m super-yacht.

With ticket sales approximately 23% ahead of last year, the organisers think this year's Southampton Boat Show marked the beginning of the much-needed upturn for the industry.

Paul Strzelecki, chairman of National Boat Shows, said: "I believe this show has proven the resilience and innovative nature of the British marine industry.

"To have such a positive show in the current economic climate is remarkable and we are delighted with the number of visitors who have come to enjoy it and, importantly, make purchases."

Both large and small exhibitors at the show demonstrated their increasing confidence by launching 100 new products this year, which is a significant increase on recent years.

Yacht brokers Boatshed.com secured sales or offers on more than 60 boats throughout the course of the show, which is its best ever result at a Southampton show.

The world's biggest membership sailing company, SailTime, which offers affordable and accessible sailing, has had an 11% rise in their membership, demonstrating a growing demand for more cost effective boat ownership.

Proving there is still demand in the marketplace for the larger motor yachts, a £3m Fairline boat was ordered on the first day of the show.

Robert Braithwaite, founder of Sunseeker in Poole, whose new Predator 130 starts at £10.6m, added: "We came to the Southampton Boat Show with cautious confidence - launching four new boats here - but we leave on a high.

"Demand for the more sizable variations in our range has been strong, and we're confident that sales reflect our belief that the market is recovering."

Other boat show highlights included local sailors, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Ben Ainslie, Dee Caffari, Mike Golding and Geoff Holt attempting to set a new semaphore World Record.

HRH The Princess Royal visited the show on Thursday and spent time with Geoff Holt aboard his catamaran Impossible Dream before launching the new RYA Sailability, which helps people with a disability to experience sailing.

And almost 10,000 visitors climbed aboard the Jubilee Sailing Trust's tall ship Lord Nelson.