More than 8,800 bargain hunters flocked to the idyllic setting of the Hampshire country estate to root for nautical loot.

The 36th annual event, the largest outdoor sale of boating items in Europe, attracted visitors from far afield on a sunny but chilly day on 27 April 2013. The event had to be cancelled last year due to appalling weather.

Shipwright Donal Greene from Carna, Connemara, Ireland said: ‘I come here every year on a pilgrimage to buy shiny things. We have a few stalls here but we always end up buying more than we came with.’

He added: ‘We’ve made a lot of friends adn a lot of contacts here.’

Rudy Mulkems, of Belgium, said: ‘We’ve attended the last four Boatjumbles, except for last year of course. We have a 40-year-old yacht which we tend to find bits and pieces for. It’s a lovely place.’

Showgoers were delighted to see PBO’s Snapdragon 23 Project Boat Hantu Biru and kept PBO staff busy all day answering questions about her.

Competition winners Jen and Brian Bradley from Devon won PBO’s ‘VIP Beaulieu Boatjumble weekend’ of a night’s hotel accommodation and event tickets.

Jen said: ‘We have a Sadler Starlight 35 called Midstream, berthed in Plymouth, which we have owned since 2003.

‘We come every couple of years to Beaulieu, usually with a great big list. Last time we bought a heavy boat anchor and chain, which was a nightmare to carry back to the car!

‘This year, as expected, we again found some bargains.’

Beaulieu spokeswoman Margaret Rowles said: ‘We were really pleased with the weather.

‘We had 8,834 visitors, just 200 down on 2011, although I have to say I saw more people with bigger purchases than I’ve seen in previous years.

‘Our delivery lorry, which runs to and from the car park, was busy right up until the end. It was a good sales and shopping day.’

She added: ‘This year the trunk traders area had expanded quite a lot and it was very popular.

‘The K3 Bluebird also proved to be a good draw, as did the Classic Motor Boat Association marquee.’