EXHIBITORS at Southampton Boat Show reported record sales despite fewer visitors.
Around £85 million of orders were taken by the 600 firms during the ten-day event.
Organisers have blamed the fuel crisis and poor weather for the fall in the visitor numbers.
An estimated 105,000 people came through the doors, 13,000 fewer than last year.
Paul Streeter, managing director of organisers National Boat Show Ltd, said: "The fuel crisis in the lead-up to the show and continued petrol shortages over the opening weekend, followed by wet and windy conditions, prevented some visitors from attending.
"But those who were able to make it have spent more money than ever before. Sales have been made by a wide range of exhibitors with demand for larger boats particularly buoyant."
Mr Streeter added that the thoughts of everyone involved in the show were with the family and friends of the man who died in a tragic accident on Friday.
Police have still not identified the man who died in a tragic accident at the show on Friday.
He died after plunging off a rigid inflatable, along with another man and a woman. The boat then went out of control before striking the victim who died despite attempts to resuscitate him by emergency services.
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