The day, inspired by Brian Peters, set out to be an industry get-together outside the usual confines of a boat show. And it succeeded.

The most usual comment heard was that the day proved to be an excellent networking opportunity, with people able to move around the hospitality suites freely to buttonhole people they wouldn't normally have time - or the opportunity - to bump into.

"It's nice to talk to people not wearing deck shoes, " said one wag.

Brian Peters told BB : "We had a very positive response from everybody. If there's any criticism, it was the food - apart from that it was 100% positive."

"Many of the guests were attending the races for the first time and there was no doubt that they thoroughly enjoyed it, " said event organiser Georgina Bartlett of Saltwater Communications. Other comments suggested a qualified acceptance of the day.

Raymarine's Fiona Pankhurst told BB : "It probably was worthwhile and we will go again. But we probably won't sponsor a race."

Avon's Alan Morgan said he thoroughly enjoyed the day but when asked about next year, told BB : "In principle I will do it again next year, but it depends on the format."

We get so many opportunities to do things, he added, and you have to weigh them all up.

Clare Willison of Marine Media made the day a celebration of the 18th birthday of Boats and Planes for Sale ."We did it as a one-off to celebrate our 18 years, " she told us. "We closed the office so our 18 employees could spend the day in the Richmond Enclosure with a picnic, while four of us were in the hospitality box."

We all had a great day, she added: "but it would be unlikely that we would do it every year."

The day was also a fundraising event with three nominated charities - the Meningitis Research Foundation, St. Wilfrid's Hospice and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Avon Inflatables and E P Barrus donated an Avon RIB and Mariner engine, which raised £6,000, split evenly between the three.