Beaulieu’s popular boatjumble will be back with a vengeance this weekend after high winds forced a last-minute cancellation of the 2012 event.

More than 9,000 bargain hunters are expected to descend on the grounds of the National Motor Museum in Hampshire for the extravaganza this Sunday, 28 April.

Now in its 36th year, the Boatjumble is the largest outdoor sale of boating items in Europe.

Crowds will gather at the main gates in readiness for the 10am opening, but early birds can browse the nautical high street of the BoatMall and the used boat fair of BoatMart from 9am to see trailerable boats of all types, from nearly-new yachts to classics and restoration challenges.

PBO’s stand will once again be located by the show’s main entrance, where a special show offer will enable readers to subscribe to PBO for only £16.99 every six months and receive a free Quick Dry Towel. Plus there’s a competition to win an iPad Mini.

The PBO Project Boat

Deputy editor David Pugh and features editor Ben Meakins will be working on the newly-painted PBO Project Boat Hantu Biru, and rummaging for Boatjumble bargains to help get our Snapdragon 23 seaworthy.

The Boatjumble runs from 10am until 5pm, with thousands of new and used marine and boating items at competitive prices spread across 758 stands, and big-name chandleries selling new stock at special show prices plus accessories, clothing, gadgets and literature.

In the Trunk Traders area – larger than ever before – amateur jumblers will be turning surplus second-hand sailing items from cleared-out lockers, sheds and garages into cash.

Trading is expected to be brisk here, so head there early – and if you fancy flogging your nautical bric-a-brac from the boot of your car, book a space for £30.

Beaulieu’s Margaret Rowles said: ‘We were hugely disappointed to have to cancel the Boatjumble last year for the first time ever because of the high winds. But we were very encouraged by the positive response from stallholders, many of whom carried their stand booking forward to this year.’

Full of Bargains

Margaret adds: ‘We’re really looking forward to this year’s event, it’s our first major event of the year at Beaulieu and it always has a great atmosphere – doubly so if the sun is shining.

‘We’ve seen some amazing sights of people with alot of fenders, ropes and even toilets balanced on their heads – anything that belongs to a boat, they’ll be carrying.

‘We often hear stallholders and Trunk Traders say they sell a lot of stuff, but end up going home with twice as much! It’s almost more of an exchange of goods than a sale.

‘The Boatjumble is always full of people looking for a bargain or that missing piece they haven’t been able to find anywhere else.’

The Classic Motor Boat Association will be hosting a display of members’ classic boats and antique outboard engines.

Sir Malcolm Campbell’s famous world water speed record breaker, the K3
Bluebird, will also be attending the event.

Meanwhile, younger visitors can enjoy Bubble of Fun, an activity enabling you to walk on water in giant transparent spheres, as well as Boats of Fun and giant nautical-themed slides.

Included in the price of your ticket is entry to Beaulieu’s other attractions including the Bond In Motion exhibition (which showcases 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films), On Screen Cars, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.

Book in advance before Saturday for cheaper tickets by quoting PBOMAG1.

Visit www.beaulieuboatjumble.co.uk or tel: 01590 612888