The exhibitors were also not sure what to expect and some thought it was another set up day. But the press certainly turned up in force and were also very impressed with what they saw; most were old hands who found the trip back to Earls Court a pleasant one.

The show is small and there are some wide open spaces. But for a first attempt, BB has nothing but praise for what James Brooke, MD of the ECBS, has managed in just 10 months. That also goes for just about all the press and the exhibitors as well.

Every exhibitor BB spoke to was full of praise for the show's staff. Within minutes of arrival a member of the floor staff arrived with a friendly welcome (some exhibitors were even escorted to their stand space), with the promise to sort out anything that needed attention. And some told us there was no waiting and anything that needed sorting was done on the spot on the telephone. No fuss. No problem.

It was a case of: The answer's yes, now what's the question?'

And guess what? The exhibitors got another visit a short while later to check and make sure everything was going according to plan.

Mind you, in the best National Boat Shows fashion, the wakeboarding pool sprung a leak on Friday night, leading to a bit of a mop-up operation on Saturday morning.

Among the visitors spotted by BB were British Marine Federation (BMF) president Peter Methven. And recent ex- BMF president Brian Peters was also in attendance, as were many well known names from the industry.

A check with various blogs and forums over the weekend showed most harked back to 'the good old days' and thought the ECBS was certainly worth a visit. Practical Boat Owner editor Sarah Norbury said on the PBO site that: 'For old-time yachting journalists it was like coming home. As you walk in you see chandlery stands and sailing dinghies. Further along the central boulevard you find the pool where Hanse Yachts, J-Boats, Cornish Crabbers and catamarans bob under the spotlights.'

She finished her report by telling her readers: 'We like it, well worth going to have a look at.'

Friday's attendance was made up of press, exhibitors and a few hangers-on. Saturday was not very busy, but Sunday was reported to BB as being pretty much full, with some good business being done. Time will tell.

The show is a competitor to the Collins Stewart London Boat Show at ExCeL. It also has a five year contract with Whyte & Mackay and Earls Court, which means the industry can no longer simply ignore the ECBS and hope it'll go away.