Coleman Marine Insurance were once again exhibitors and sponsors at the 5th Poole Harbour Boat Show (PHBS), which took place from Friday 7th – Sunday 9th June.
Interest in the Show has risen significantly year on year and this year all exhibitor berths in the marina and on the quayside were sold out with many first- time exhibitors at the Show.
Tony Pauffley, Broking Manager, Yacht at Coleman Marine Insurance took time out to meet up and chat with many of the exhibitors attending the show. Tony advised, “Coleman Marine Insurance is delighted to be an event sponsor once again and we are thrilled to see that the Poole Harbour Boat Show is growing in both reputation and size. It was good to see so many new elements to the show this year. We have been heavily involved since it was created in 2014 and feel a part of its journey. We’re looking forward to continuing to be a part of its future success too.”
Wave Boat UK showcasing innovation
Robert Wilson, owner of Arba nautika & Wave Boat UK was at the PHBS for the second time. He advised, “It’s fantastic for business, we’ve achieved loads of solid leads and hopefully even some unexpected exposure on ITV Meridian! We’ve brought along the full range of Arba and some Wave boats too. We’ve launched the 656 Wake Model at the show. It’s powered with a 300 horse- power jet ski and has grabbed lots of attention from boat show visitors as it’s an extremely innovative and new way to power boats – it’s new to the UK market and very exciting!”
‘Achieving brand awareness and sales’
Will Eveleigh of Silver Boats, based in Christchurch, was also experiencing his second PHBS. He said, “It’s great to be back here. We’ve had a few clients seek us out and visit the stand to see the new cabin boats. The show sees the UK debut of the 8.2 metre Silver Raptor which sleeps 4. It’s also the only boat in the show to have a Suzuki 350 horse- power motor. We’ve had a UK debut on the 6 metre Silver Tiger which sleeps 2 and are also showing the aluminium hull 4.9 m Silver Fox. We’ve sold a Silver Tiger at the show to date, to a local buyer, and have a sea trial booked on the Silver Fox. We’ve achieved lots of quality leads. It’s very much about brand awareness for us here.”
The Big Harbour Clean Up and eco- friendly boat show.
GoPladdle’s team of willing volunteers drove the ‘Big Harbour Clean Up’ which took place in May, in conjunction with the Poole Harbour Boat Show and ‘Surfers against sewage plastic free communities’. At the PHBS they were displaying just a very small portion of plastic waste that had been collected from just one weekend of the Big Harbour Clean up. GoPladdle founder, Rosie Bailey advised, “Over just one weekend of the beach clean- up we collected enough plastic rubbish and waste to fill 4 skips! Our display has instigated lots of conversations and interest from show visitors. It has been fantastic for awareness.”
Newfoundland working dogs – ‘a connection with Poole from the late 1700’s’
The Newfoundland working dogs were a welcome new addition to the PHBS and certainly drew the crowds. Members of the organization, New Forest Working Dogs said, “We are a training group and come together to teach the skills of life guarding and water rescue, using the Newfoundland and Leonberger dogs. It’s our first time at the PHBS. We are aiming to demonstrate the potential that these dogs can bring to the professional rescue services, such as the RNLI and coast guard. In the UK they are a much under used asset. We intend to educate and raise their profile.”
Educating and inspiring show visitors to ‘get on the water’
Tracy Lee is a volunteer at Poole Yacht Club and was on a busy stand that was created by local Poole harbour yacht clubs. Tracy advised, “The different boat clubs and their volunteers have come together as a joint collaborative venture to educate visitors to the show about sailing, water sports, share their passions for marine and inspire others to join them on the water. We are very well supported by the RYA and they have provided the stand and some marketing support, as well as hosting free ‘try a dinghy’ sailing sessions.”
RS Sailing
Romsey based RS Sailing were brand new exhibitors at the PHBS and were showing their dinghies, keel boats and catamarans. George Purchon of UK retail sales advised, “Our CEO visited the show last year and felt that it was important that we became a part of it, so here we are! One of our drivers is participation and getting people in to the sport and on to the water. A lot of people here are in the early stages of their sailing journey. We are keen to get our brand known and recognised. We’re gaining lots of leads, having many conversations and making new friends. We have a range of differently priced products on display, to appeal to the beginner, through to the elite performer.”
Coleman Marine are the specialist Marine Division of Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, providing Insurance expertise and products across the marine insurance sector, from yachts to superyachts to marine business.
Please call if you have a need of our Insurance expertise. Tel. 01202 647400 www.colemanmarine.co.uk