Let the boating beauties sail in

Recession, what recession? The marine industry demonstrates its supreme indifference to any talk of an economic downturn, with the most opulent London Boat Show at Earls Court.

A staggering £80 million is expected to be spent on boats during the show. More than 800 vessels will be on display, with the most expensive exhibit a £2.2 million super-yacht, Sunseeker's Manhattan 74.

Every conceivable model of boat will be on show, from £300 dinghies to multi-million-pound luxury craft. There's also a special James Bond movie boat collection for the real escapists, from the Ian Fleming Foundation.

Sales in the industry are already up by 10 per cent year on year and some manufacturers have order books with waiting lists up to 2007.

One of the most talked about vessels at this year's show is Sunseeker's handbuilt Predator 68, which retails at a mere £895,000 - excluding tax. For that price the purchaser will find his boat "finished in cherrywood cabinetry with cream leather upholstery and desert coloured carpets". Other accessories include a "teak bathing platform", a "wetbar with icemaker" and a "vacuum toilet with holding tank". All this to satisfy the every need of up to six passengers who have to squeeze into three luxurious cabins and can travel at a top speed of 38 knots.

Not that the Predator 68 is Sunseeker's top of the range model. That distinction falls to the Manhattan 105, which retails at £5 million a pop. It is not being exhibited at Earls Court because it was too big to fit through the doors.

One company has set-up a champagne bar in the middle of its exhibition, presumably to lubricate purse strings.

But not every boat owner has to be a millionaire. For more frugal sea dogs a Regal sports boat can be snapped up for £17,514 including VAT. And the slightly more salubrious Elan 333 retails at £55,000.

The manufacturers are eager to preserve the pristine state of their highly prized goods. Numerous signs reading "remove shoes before boarding" should ensure that even the grandest of millionaires will have to stomp around their future vessel in stocking feet.

According to the organisers the idea of sailing the seas has never been more popular, with the success of round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur - who opened the show - fuelling people's interest. Now in its 48th year, the event is the marine industry's showpiece. In total 170,000 visitors are expected to come to the show during its 11-day run. Spin-off trade directly related to the event is estimated at a staggering £400 million.