The stand was always busy, he said, takings were 48% up compared to last year, and we ran out of catalogues.

Voicing what a number of people have told BB, Murdock continued: "We hope National Boat Shows can maintain or increase this year's record advertising spend so that even more people visit next January."

Nauticalia was also delighted that Princess Anne chose to visit the stand. "She was very complimentary about our products, including several that she has previously bought by mail order, " said Murdoch.