It's not only big spenders who go to the Irish Marine Federation Boat Show at the RDS in Dublin.
"I got this for £25," says Darragh O'Connell from Stillorgan, Dublin, showing his one purchase of the day - a second-hand fishing rod. "It's not a bad buy, I reckon."
He was among hundreds of young boating enthusiasts attending the show's first day, supporting the organisers' claims that water pursuits are not just for the rich or retired.
"Owning a boat might once have been considered elitist but that image is changing fast," says Mr Bernard Gallagher of the IMF. "People from all walks of life are buying, from angling through to sailing. But the boom area is small boats."
This is demonstrated by new research carried out by the Marine Institute, to be published tomorrow. The study shows the private leisure market now accounts for almost 70 per cent of small boats in Ireland, the commercial leisure market just 10 per cent and the commercial fishing market 7 per cent.
Some 950 people are employed directly in the production and maintenance of small boats and marine equipment, a figure that is expected to grow significantly.
One craft that could help in this regard is the new Zzap racing dinghy, designed to fill a gap in the world market between children's "optimist" vessels and larger racing boats.
Made in Tralee, the 12 ft dinghy costs £4,500, which is said to compare well with other racing boats of its size.
"It's slightly cheaper and you get a better boat," says Dylan Gannon (16), from Howth, who has been sailing since he was 11 and hopes to make it onto Ireland's 2004 Olympic team. "I was a little too small and light to go onto the bigger boats so this was perfect for me," he says of the Zzap.
"In fact, I don't know what I would have done if it was not there. I might have stopped sailing altogether."
Another product being showcased at the event is Dublin city's first mooring facility, at Custom House Quay. To be officially opened on April 1st next, the moorings are aimed at holiday sailors wanting easy access to the city.
Prices are comparable to Malahide, with a 20 ft boat being charged £34 for an overnight stay with electricity, running water and round-the-clock security.
While boats costing as little as £300 can be found at the show, there is no shortage of craft at the upper end of the market.
BJ Marine is featuring the most expensive, the £260,000 38 ft Fairline Phantom cruiser. "We've had two interested parties so far," said Mr Gallagher of the marine federation, who is chief executive of BJ Marine.
He says the firm also has a possible buyer for a 60 ft Searay priced at about £700,000. It is moored in the Liffey at City Quay.
"It's been a record year for us. We've sold five 40 ft sailboats within a fortnight."
What was that again about boating not being elitist?
The IMF Boat Show is open today and tomorrow between noon and 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is £5 for adults, £6 at the weekend. Students, OAPs £3.
