A.      A Boat Jumble is a marine market where new and second hand items related to all types of water sports are offered for sale by private sellers and commercial retailers at discount prices. For example: sailing, motor boating, rowing, canoeing, scuba diving, windsurfing skiing, and fishing.

A.      The UK Boat Jumbles Association is an organisation which co-ordinates and promotes the calendar of Boat Jumble events in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

We also encourage the event organisers to run their shows to a high standard to ensure that the events offer good value for money to the public and the exhibitors.

A.      The events are run either by promoters as a business or by yacht clubs or boating organisers to raise funds. These organisers have to charge an entry fee to cover the overheads associated with running a large outdoor event. For example: advertising, insurance, site rent, fencing, toilets, rubbish disposal, staffing and administration.

A.      Entry prices to Boat Jumbles vary across the country depending on the costs associated with running the shows and how many exhibitors will be attending. Prices vary from £2-50p per person for the smaller events with 50 exhibitors to £8 for the largest event with over 500 exhibitors. The average entry fee is £3 and generally there is no charge for children or parking. For the actual cost of entry to a specific event refer to the listings on this web site.

A.      The ratio of new and used items for sale at Boat Jumbles will vary from show to show but generally will be 60% new to 40% second hand.

A.      Yes you will save a lot of money buying marine and water sports items at a Boat Jumble. There are various reasons for this they include: charities offering donated items for sale, sailing schools selling their old boats and equipment, private sellers disposing of unwanted items at hugely reduced prices; chandlers and manufacturers closing down or selling off “ends of lines” and exhibitors at Boat Jumbles have much lower overheads than retailers in a shop and they can pass on these savings to the public.

A.      Yes it is safe to buy items at Boat Jumbles. All Boat Jumble organisers invite their local police to attend their events, the police usually check out the exhibitors before the show opens. They have laptop computers and can check out suspicious items as well as vehicle number plates on a database, particular attention is given to outboard motors and boats. It is well known that the police will be attending so it is very rare for the police to ever find stolen property at these events. As in any retail situation the public can take simple steps to ensure they are not buying stolen items. Ask searching questions about the item for sale to ascertain if the sale is genuine, check the seller’s identity by asking for a receipt, a business card, a flyer/brochure, take down their vehicle registration details and if in any doubt walk away. Most reputable sellers will be happy to provide such information.

A.      Yes. Disabled parking is available at all events closer to the public entrance. Most events are held on flat open areas such as county show grounds, many are held on hard surfaces and some are held indoors, but the majority are on grass so the normal health and safety issues relating to outdoor events on grass apply. For information on disabled facilities at a specific event contact the individual organisers listed on this web site.

A.      Typically the events run from 10am until 3pm but for information on opening hours for a specific event contact the individual organisers listed on this web site.

A.      Yes anyone private or business can sell at a Boat Jumble. There are some restrictions, items must be related to water sports and certain items are prohibited, such as live flares, dangerous or hazardous chemicals and it is not permitted to sell food.  Public Liability insurance should be held by exhibitors; for private sellers their household insurance may cover them; but for trade sellers they should have an individual policy in place. There are various options for exhibiting at a Boat Jumble. Private sellers may take a small Car Boot space (paste table/width of a car) a boat space or a trade stand/s (typically 4.5 metres x 4.5 metres –(15ft x 15ft) square) a trade exhibitor may only take a trade space/s. Generally the organisers only provide ground space (ie no tables/electrical supplies etc) but in some instances at larger shows or indoor events other services may be available.

The cost of exhibiting varies from show to show car boots and boat spaces start at £20 and trade stands start at £30. For information on exhibitors’ fees and other related issues at a specific event contact the individual organisers listed on this web site.