"We had only one day that didn't beat last year's attendance, " said NBS managing director, Paul Streeter.

And while the final audit won't be published for three months, Streeter told BB hethought the final figure would be "between 142,000 and 143,000", over 4,000 more than last year.

"Isn't it nice to get 10 days of uninterrupted sunshine, " he said. The replica of the Golden Hinde , which sailed in on Press & Preview Day with Ellen MacArthur on board, had 8,000 visitors and nearly 7,000 people took the opportunity to get afloat.

Almost 6,000 went afloat at the Try-a-Boat feature and nearly 1,000 went out on the two America's Cup boats.

And people did business.

Bank of Scotland Marine Finance said more people were spending, with the average balance up 32% and total lending at the show up 17%.

Fairline's marketing manager, Bryan Jones, said the company had the strongest reception ever at any boat launch for its Targa 62.

Paul Fox, managing director of Peters plc, said sales had not been high coming into the show, but results had been far greater than expected.

On the clothing front, Jim Harris, managing director of Jag International, said it's been a great show with a good response from both the general public and the dealers.

Streeter says plans for the 2004 show are already under way. "We 've got some great ideas for making better use of Berth 101, " he told BB , "and there are a few other ideas we're working on."

NBS is also working hard, said Streeter, on negotiations to keep the show in Southampton for another 35 years. "We hope to be able to make announcements by the end of the year, " he said.