The History of Boat Jumbles
Boat Jumbles have evolved over the last 25 years from an eclectic mix of irregular marine sales, auctions, sailing club “bring and buys” and private individual’s garage sales all varying in size and quality into an annual coordinated industry of 30 plus well run regional events promoted by the UK Boat Jumbles Association. The shows are and run by a wide range of organisers but are all organised under a code of practice which ensures that they consistently offer good value for money to the public, exhibitors and organisers alike.
The catalyst for all this activity was undoubtedly the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire who in 1978 in the wake of their internationally successful Beaulieu Auto Jumbles turned their attention to the marine sector and held the first ever Beaulieu Boat Jumble. Their professional events marketing team together with a significant marketing budget and a dream location in the New Forest close to the busy yachting Mecca of The Solent ensured that the event was a phenomenal success. Indeed growing in size and stature each year and attracting hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees it soon became another international hit attracting boating people from all over Europe.
However being held only once a year meant that if you were looking for a specific part for a now obsolete boat or engine you only had one chance per season to obtain it. Other event organisers spotted there was a demand for more similar events around the country and the Boat Jumbles industry gradually evolved from six events per year in the early 1980’s to the 30 plus shows per annum we have today.
We are indebted to Beaulieu Boat Jumble which remains to this day the “Flagship” event of the Boat Jumble calendar and is always held on the last Sunday in April.
