Plans are already underway for Scotland’s Boat Show 2014 after record numbers flocked to the United Kingdom’s third largest boat show this month.

More than 15,000 visitors attended
the three-day event at Kip Marina, where £16million-worth of
boats were displayed, ranging from £500 dinghies to £850,000 luxury powerboats.

There
was something for every budget and a total of 29 boats were sold
on the weekend of 12 and 13 October, amounting to £1.1million.

Among the purchases was an impulse
buy of a Sealine powerboat on Saturday for more than £60,000, by a
customer who wished to set sail the following Tuesday with his family during the half-term holiday.

Miles Stratton, of Hanse Yachts, said: ‘We
achieved seven new boat enquiries from 10 days at Southampton Boat Show and 42 from
three days at Kip Marina.’

On the water action

Among the new additions at SBS13, now in its 28th year, was the
participation and sponsorship of RYA Scotland, which hosted a full programme of
activities both on the water and on shore.

RYA Scotland marketing manager Claire Caffrey said: ‘Our team
had a fantastic time at Scotland’s Boat Show this year catching up with our
members.

‘It was incredibly busy over the weekend and offered us a great
opportunity to inspire new people into the sport and to sign up new members.

‘The on-water activities run by the RYA were extremely popular so it was great
to see so many people getting out on the water and coming back in with big
smiles on their faces!

‘We had lots of help from partners and volunteers over
the weekend so we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped
us at the show and in the lead up.’

Adding to the atmosphere on water
were displays of Flyboarding from Mike Dear of WetJets.co.uk who
introduced the crowds to the latest extreme water sport that lifts you up to 30
feet into the air on a jet of water.

Plans are already afoot to have Mike
return for 2014 and let the public have a try.

Shore-side entertainment

On shore there were displays of luxury cars, including the Scottish public debut of the new Rolls Royce Wraith. The Clyde Life-Style Marquee hosted
dozens of artisan traders showing everything from candles to furniture, and the Renfrewshire Farmers Market showcased fresh and
organic foods.

Musical entertainment
during the weekend was provided by the Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band, the Military
Wives of the West of Scotland Choir, the Ardgowan Hospice Singers and Moorfoot
Primary School Choir.

Constant queues showed the popularity for the event’s helicopter flights, which took visitors over Ardgowan estate along the river and then gave a
spectacular view of Kip Marina.

In addition to the rides,
there were helicopters offered for sale and although no sales were reported Charles
McCann of Heli Air Scotland had several enquiries for
training, weddings and a stag weekend.

Holt Leisure
Group and Kip Marina’s managing director Gavin McDonagh said: ‘Although they
come from far and near both to exhibit and attend the show, it gives me the
greatest pleasure because it is all home grown, organised, marketed, managed
and built by our own staff with special thanks to Kevin Blamire and Duncan
Chalmers and all our staff without whom we would not have the show we have and
bring so many to Inverclyde.’

Preparations are already underway
for the 2014 Scotland’s Boat Show which will help celebrate the 2014 as the
year of Homecoming and takes place from the 10 to 12 October next year.