After all, world prospects were, by all accounts, looking rather dim earlier this year.

As a result, many companies told me they had not increased targets for this year. They reckoned standing still would be a success.

But reports from around the industry throughout the year seemed to suggest things were not doing too badly. There was a bit of dip in the chandlery business just before the summer, but then things took off with the weather.

And when the sun came out and the crowds flocked in, the scene at Southampton was of exhibitors taking the money and the orders with both hands.

But, at the same time, it was easy to see many were casting a glance over their shoulders, wondering where all the business had come from.

According to the pundits, this was not meant to be happening.

The lenders are always a good indicator of trends. James crew said Barclays Marine Finance had achieved a 38% increase in turnover, compared to last year, with a similar number of proposals taken.

Peter Whitehead told us the value of proposals completed by Bank of Scotland at the show was up 17.5% on last year's figures at just over £29 million.

Both lenders put the power/sail split at 70/30.

The holiday companies seemed to do well - Matt West at Sunsail told us people seemed to be booking a year ahead to guarantee their place, rather than try for the late, cut-price booking.

Perhaps the only stands to find sales a trifle difficult were those selling clothing.

Billy Foulkes told us they had done well on everything but the fleeces and foul weather gear. Then again, Jim Harris said he had to go back home for new stocks of his foul weather gear after he sold out on the Tuesday.

It's great to take this kind of success into the autumn and winter, especially with the first ExCeL show coming up in January.

But let's not get carried away with things. Capitalism is all well and good.

But can the market keep on growing at such a rate?