Fun and Lifestyle

It is the final day of the YachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show which ends on a high note with Britain’s boatbuilders buoyant and production levels up.
According to the British Marine Federation which organises the country’s principal boat shows, the UK’ leisure marine industry is worth £3.01 billion and boat building accounts for over a third of that.
Growth is being led by small and medium sized boatbuilders with the lion’s share of production absorbed by the mid-sized powerboat industry, sailing dinghies and rigid inflatables.
There was plenty of activity at the ten-day show on the waterfront at Southampton’s Mayflower Park and optimism has been running high.
Perhaps ownership of sailing yachts has declined over the past year or two, but there is clear evidence that participation in sailing has not. These days charter holidays and shared ownership provide flexibility of use gain popularity and sailing experience not always afforded by conventional ownership.
Even so there was plenty of choice among the craft both on the water and ashore at Mayflower Park with hundreds of boats of all shapes and sizes on display.
Biggest boat at the Show is the 30 metre Princess super yacht which will set you back £8 million, plus vat. By contrast the smallest boat is an Excel Ventura dinghy costing £459.
The Southampton Boat Show continues as Britain’s biggest festival of boating and celebrates the fun and lifestyle of being on the water.