With over 127,200 people visiting the show, it emerged that attendance had increased by 8% - equating to 9,500 more visitors than last year.

Alan Morgan, Chairman of National Boat Shows, commented that:

“The success of this year’s Show demonstrates a positive feeling in the industry. The exhibits are essentially the stars of the Show, and we’ve had some truly amazing products on show this year; from a canoe worth GBP200 right up to the GBP11m Tri-deck Sunseeker yacht."

“We’re really looking forward to the 40th anniversary of the Southampton Boat Show next year.”

Throughout the Show, the British Marine Federation (BMF) worked hard behind the scenes for the benefit of the industry. The most notable successes included the visit of Lord Drayson; the Government Minister with responsibility for the marine industry; the staging at the Show of the first board meeting of the Association of Marina Industries outside the US; and the free seminars relating to the Sale of Goods Act.

The BMF also used the occasion to network with its members and hosted a successful reception for 200 people, as well as signing up 20 new members.

The 17th Monaco Yacht Show also ended successfully at the weekend, having played host to more than 500 exhibitors and an estimated 24,000 guests.

According to reports on the event last week, just under 100 yachts, 60% of which were more than 40 metres long, were on show during the Yacht show held at Port Hercules.