Strong sales were reported throughout the 2014 PSP Southampton Boat Show, which attracted more than 112,000 people across 10 days.
The very first boat sale was made by 10.30am on the opening day. And many companies reported equalling last year’s total sales by mid-week this year.
‘Glorious weather’ and an improving economy boosted this year’s event, which had been revamped to provide a ‘festival of boating’.
Managing director for National Boat Shows (NBS), Murray Ellis said: ‘The PSP Southampton Boat Show 2014 has been a great success.
‘More than 10,000 visitors got out on the water, families enjoyed a ride on the Boat Show Eye and boaters bought everything from canoes to multi-million pound yachts.
‘The weather has been glorious and spirits have been high, once again confirming the PSP Southampton Boat Show as one of the world’s leading boat shows.’
Television presenter Matt Baker and double Olympic champion Iain Percy kicked off the action, arriving on one of the show feature boats, the tall ship Phoenix, with ambassadors from the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
Mr Ellis added: ‘We’ve been delighted to have the Foundation as the show’s official charity and so pleased to be able to join in with the worldwide Bart’s Bash event on the show’s final day.’
Landau UK managing director Ben Metcalfe said: ”We met last year’s figures by day seven of the show and hope to bring up to £1.6million into the business over the full course of the event. It’s a show we will continue to do.
‘It’s very positive for the marine industry and it’s good for the local area.’
SeaSure Ltd managing director Graham Brown said: ‘This is our first time at PSP Southampton Boat Show and it has exceeded all our expectations.’
Flexisail managing director Richard Pierpoint said: ‘It has been a positive show for us and we are 50% up on last year.’ Time Inc UK marketing manager, Richard Shead said: ‘It’s been an exceptionally good show. Subscriptions are up more than 30% across the titles.
Plans for the revamped 2015 London Boat Show were announced at the show, which will embrace innovative technology and stormy winter weather with audio, large screen visuals and temperature changes, with NBS ‘quadrupling’ the investment of features it had last year.
Beneteau boat builder was among the first exhibitors to sign up to take space at the event, which will run from from 9-18 January at ExCeL London.
Jean Francois Lair, Beneteau export manager, said: ‘Over the last 10 days at Southampton, we have clearly noticed an uplift in the market.
‘The sales figures are up, and all our dealers are reporting a stronger interest compared to last year.
‘In this improved market, we are pleased to announce that Beneteau will return to the London Boat Show in January 2015.’