Sales at Earls Court Boat Show raise spirits

by Peta Stuart-Hunt on 28 Nov 2008
The figures are stacking up well at the Sail, Power & Watersports Show at Earls Court.

Things are looking relatively rosy for the marine industry exhibitors at the Sail, Power & Watersports Show with a number of sales being announced at Earls Court today. The overall mood is looking decidedly positive with sales recorded in most sectors.

Exhibitors are generally impressed with the quality of enquiries they are receiving and reports of boat sales are really flowing in. A Northshore-built Southerly yacht has been sold and a 57ft Eurocruiser from Stewart Marine was sold for a special show price of £199,000, and there’s been a sale of a £4,000 Kruger dayboat.

There’s also a great response from Boatshed.com, the World’s biggest boat auction team, who say: 'Reaction has been very positive from everyone - buyers, sellers, the press and the marine industry.'

Not surprisingly, Monday’s VAT reduction to 15% is somewhat impeding all the cheques being handed over on the spot. Trevor Banting from Kruger boats said although he effectively sold a £4,000 boat yesterday, the deal won’t be signed and sealed until next week. 'We’re really happy because we truthfully didn’t expect to sell anything yesterday. We had order acknowledgment but because nobody wants to pay anything until next week nothing will happen until then.'

Likewise, Patrick Byrne from high-end UK RIB builders, Scorpion RIBs, is taking a definite order on Monday for an 8.75m open RIB which he would normally have sold and taken the money for today.

Clipper Yachts have also had a buoyant start to the week with a likely sale on one of their Bavaria 47s. Richard Hewitt from Clipper Marine said: 'Basically the customer’s bought it subject to sea trial after the show.'

Key Yachting, who market J-boats, Grand Soleil, Comet and Santa Cruz Yachts, say they never really ever expect to carry out too many transactions actually at shows because they tend to work more on business database marketing. However, Marketing Manager, Becci Eplett said that she was impressed with the standard of enquiries received so far.

As Ossie Stewart from Stewart Marine found out, sometimes a little incentive to push that sale really does help. 'I had a great day because I sold a 57ft Eurocruiser for £199,000, said Stewart. 'I’m not totally surprised because it was a great deal. I decided the first boat could be sold at the reduced price. The usual price is £235,000.'

Aladdin’s Cave, one of the major chandleries exhibiting at the Show, has reported phenomenal sales figures from the opening day with over 150 transactions. Steve Broom from the chandlery commented: 'This is much more than we expected and far more business than we’d have done in the shop during the week.'

SLAM’s UK sales manager, Paolo Bafico, reported a consistent flow of business but he does expect things to pick up even more as the week goes on, commenting: 'The evenings are best for us during the week but we predict our best business at the weekend.'

One of the finest yachting accessories here at the show has to be the Lambretta scooter just inside the main hall. Peter Bows from Ciaobella Scooters was overwhelmed yesterday when, even before he’d finished setting up the stand, he’d sold two scooters. 'It was a cracking day, we sold two for 10 grand, and then Lulu’s ex-husband popped in and bought one.'

Overseas visitor Ken Blakie from Auckland has a Dutch Barge and was keen to buy a Lambretta to have on board. 'I’ve just walked in and I’ve decided I’m going to buy one of these, I think it would be ideal for me because I’ll be able to lift it with the derrick of the boat on deck.'

The 2008 Sail, Power & Watersports Show runs until 19:00 on Sunday 30 November. Visitors to the show tomorrow (Friday) will be able to witness an extraordinary feat at midday when quadriplegic, record-breaking sailor Hilary Lister joins the Royal Marine Commandos on an exterior abseil from the roof down the face of the Warwick Road entrance of Earls Court.

Show opening times:

- Wed 26 November - Thurs 27 November 10:00 - 21:00hrs
- Fri 28 November - Sat 29 November 10:00 - 19:00hrs
- Sun 30 November - 10:00 - 18:00hrs