THIS MONTH’s 10

THE EDITOR’S VIEW…

1 BOATING BOOMS

Interest in UK-based boating has rocketed since lockdown restrictions were eased in May. At the time of going to press (17 June) all four countries of the UK were able to go boating once again, although overnighting on board still wasn’t allowed and travel restrictions limited the distance people could travel to and from their boats in Scotland and Wales. Despite these limitations, dealers, brokers, marinas and chandleries have all reported a spike in sales as the combined effect of pent-up demand, restrictions on overseas travel and one of the driest and sunniest springs on record, encouraged people to seek out UK-based leisure activities.

BROKERAGE BONANZA

Nick Griffith, CEO of Ancasta, one of Europe’s biggest boat brokerage groups, reported that in the first 10 days of June his brokers sold almost double the number of boats they would normally sell in the entire month.

Boats.co.uk confirmed the trend. Managing director James Barke said all motor boats priced under £200,000 were selling strongly, “but under £50,000 they are flying out of the door without touching the sides–RIBs, bowriders, sportsboats, pêche promenades–everything”. He also said that sales in the £200,000 to £500,000 zone had improved a lot, but things were still slow between £500,000 and £3m, probably because much of that business is linked to people keeping boats outside the UK.

Russell Smith at Salterns Brokerage in Poole, Dorset, told a similar story: “People have been simply gagging