The London Boat Show report

A Sunseeker's  wheelhouse

Mixed reports from the London Boat Show at the Excel centre. Some said visitor numbers were down. Others were more optimistic. In general, sales were okay but never going to reach the levels they did just before the economic collapse. All agreed that the bad weather in the first part of 2012 was a disaster, but that sales had picked up at the end of the year, some saying they had enjoyed their best December in years. High-end buyers are oligarchs and Asiatics, the latter not by nature enthusiastic sailors, and karaoke lounges are often installed in the interiors. As usual, Sunseeeker, the Poole-based superyacht company, was the glamour high spot. The British boatbuilders manage to keep 6,500 employed worldwide, with the entire manufacturing process taking place in their Dorset base (visitors welcome, they say). Next year they will be showing their first £20million Superyacht.
On a more practical level, stalls contain a variety of items, from fine wines and sharp kitchen knives to camping gear (very popular) and, of course, nautical clothing
The London Boat Show continues until Sunday, Jan 20.

Second-hand boats for sale in the Albert Dock at the London Boat Show