A forecast of showers for this year’s Beaulieu’s Boatjumble on the 26th April, didn’t deter over 7,000 visitors attending the event which is now in its 38th year and remains one of the largest outdoor sales of boating items in Europe. Fortunately the showers did not materialise and while it was overcast and a little chilly, the day remained dry.
The event fields were bustling with activity with plenty of people eager to spot a bargain among the hundreds of stands offering everything needed to stay afloat for another year, from anchors, chains, rope and fenders, to outboard engines, sails and clothing. More bargains were to be had in the Trunk Traders area which offers amateur jumblers the opportunity to clear out their lockers and garages of boating bits, setting up shop from their car boots. In the Boatmall visitors could browse for new trailerable boats, clothing and the latest hi-tech sailing gadgets while in the Boatmart an array of used boats, from classics to nearly new, were up for sale.
Beaulieu Events Manager, Judith Maddox, said: “Despite a chilly north wind we were delighted with the day’s good visitor numbers and a lively selling event. There were certainly very few people going home empty-handed, with sale items ranging from complete boats to small chandlery items. The new Ask the Experts talks and demonstrations, running throughout the day, were particularly popular and well attended.”
Ask the Experts Live was brought to the show by the event’s sponsor, Practical Boat Owner with a full programme of talks and demonstrations by marine experts relating essential know-how on a range of popular how-to topics, including basic fibreglass skills, radar operation, knots and splices for rigging, life jacket checks, diesel engine maintenance and lots more besides. The experts were also on hand throughout the day to answer visitors’ boating questions.
A new service at the show, an initiative by Hampshire Marine Police Unit in conjunction with Ramora UK, offered a flare amnesty with show visitors able to drop off their out of date flares for safe disposal by the experienced explosive ordnance disposal team.
In the Display Arena hands-on activities for children and adults included a climbing wall, surf simulator and kayak training machines. The International Boatbuilding Training College gave demonstrations of traditional boatbuilding skills and the Maritime Archaeology Trust brought along their Maritime bus while the Classic Motor Boat Association put on their traditional display of members’ classic boats and antique outboard engines.
Visitors to the show could also see the progress made on the PBO project yacht, Hantu Biru, a Snapdragon 23 bought for just £510 on eBay complete with rig, sails and interior fittings.
The 2016 Beaulieu Boatjumble is set to take place on Sunday 24th April.