This got them out of trouble with Meadlake Place and got across the diversity of the show. MD James Brooke was always keen to point out the show was not just a boat show, but was a show all about messing about on the water. So the new name fits the bill.

But the new name isn't all that's new this year. The first show ran for nine days in December in direct competition with the Paris Boat Show. The nine days was probably too long for the new show, and the competition with Paris was just unnecessary.

So this year's show is a five day event, running from 26 to 30 November. And principal backer Robert Court emphasises that while he's passionate about boating, he's a businessman and this show is a business venture for him. It is, he assures us, fully funded and here to stay.

As for MD James Brooke, he insists the time is right for people to buy boats. 'Never before has there been such a choice for customers looking to find their dream floating home to escape for a year or three, he reckons.

Spread thinly
While last year's event was spread thinly out over Earls Court 1 and Earls Court 2, this year the show uses just the ground floor of Earls Court 1, with the team having to take the uncomfortable decision on whether to take a spread out show onto the second floor to get the view over the balcony, or go for the compact and busy show on the one floor.

The latter was deemed to be the way forward and Assistant Show Director Martin Holliman told BB the show was looking very tight and compact. In spite of a low attendance last year, many of the exhibitors have come back again, although it's difficult to decide how many more there would have been had the media not decided to talk us all downhill this year.

Another change from last year is the promotional campaign for the show. Last year's campaign simply didn't work. Many felt it was just too 'designy' and didn't actually hit people between the eyes with the fact there was a brand new boat show in Earls Court.

Using pictures of boats might have helped...

This year sees a tie up with the London Evening Standard, which will be producing a 16 page special on the show that will have a 600,000 readership. That should spread the word.

Also helping raise awareness will be the boats on display outside Earls Court from 10 November.

Two Linetti sportsboats from Gibbs Marine will be outside the front entrance and the company will also be exhibiting its range of boats from Regal, Linetti and FT Boats.

The major focus for this years show is the promotion of affordable boating to families. The show organisers say its broad mix of exhibitors and activities will inspire visitors of all ages to take safely to the water to enjoy a wide variety of water sports including sailing (cruising and racing), power boating, ribbing, water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving and paddle boarding.

Instantly recongisable
The instantly recognisable names on show include Oyster, Pearl, Cranchi, Azimut, Grand Soleil, Trader, J-Yachts, Hunter Yachts, Nimbus, Pedro and Southerly Yachts.

The smallest boat currently listed as an exhibit is the 6ft Heyland Tadpole and the cheapest is the Heyland YAK, which costs £299 including oars and rowlocks.

The show is providing the European launch pad for Santa Cruz Yachts, a range of high-performance yachts from the US. Paul Heys, a director of Key Yachting, says the company will be showing the Santa Cruz 37 by the pool and will also be displaying a Grand Soleil 43 in the pool alongside a J122, a J109, a J92 and a J80.

A major feature of the show will be the 'Boatbid' Boat Auction run in conjunction with Boatshed.com and the Yachtworld 2 Brokers Village

Like last year's show, this one is set out in zones, with the Sail Zone Cruising & Racing; the Dinghy Sailing Magazine Dinghy Zone; the Power Zone; RIBs and Sportsboats; the Watersports Zone; the Chandlery & Clothing Zone; the Inland Waterways Zone In Association With River Canal Rescue; The Yachtworld Brokers Village; the Small & Classic Boatbuilding Zone; the Ocean Rowing Zone; the Charities Zone; Charters, Destinations & Training and the Electronics Zone.

The top names in each zone are Clipper Marine, J-UK, Key Yachting, Northshore Yachts, Select Yacht Group and Wittey Marine in the sailboat area, while the power section boasts Imperial Motor Yachts, Offshore Powerboats, Pearl Motor Yachts, Tarquin, Gibbs Marine, Clipper Marine showing Azimut, CJ Marine, Essex Boatyards showing Glastron, Arvor and Four Winns, JR Cole Marine Services with Pedro Boats, James Reinman Marine showing Shetland Boats, Kruger, Offshore Powerboats exhibiting Nimbus and the UK launch of Paragon motor boats and Osmotech with their Thai Cats, as well as Swordsman Marine with its Team 747 that competed in this years Round Britain.

The chandlery section has Aladdins Cave, Andark, REEDS Online and Timberland, while the electronics area has Marine Electronics Services and Standard Horizon.

Other attractions
Other attractions for the visitors are things like book signings and interviews with Geoff Holt, Adrian Flanagan and Dag Pike. And, of course, there will be the Guinness Bar.

The Royal Marines Commando Display Team will abseil 200ft from the roof at regular intervals and the RNLI has a simulator to allow visitors to feel what it is really like to go out on a shout and helming an offshore lifeboat.

Honda also has a simulator, but this one's a Formula 1 Racing Car.

The only indoor wakeboarding event in Europe will be running in association with Alliance Wakeboard - the Rail Masters event will take place on the Central Pool throughout the week, with pro-riders from the UK & international circuit taking part.

H2O Sports will also be back this year with its windsurf simulator and the International Boat Building Training College will be building a replica of the James Caird.

There's also a feature dedicated to the voyage of HMS Beagle between 1831 and 1836.

There will be two late nights of Christmas shopping with the show open until 21.00 on both Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th November. All other days are 10.00 to 19.00, except the Sunday, which is 10.00 to 18.00.