The 54th Collins Stewart London Boat Show is now open, after its official launch by Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on Friday, and enjoyed a very busy first weekend. The reported figures are as follows:

Friday 11th Jan = 8,000 visitors, down by 29% on 2007
Saturday 12th Jan = 16,000, up by 4% on 2007
Sunday 13th Jan = 14,700 people, up by 19% on 2007

This puts attendance for the 2008 Collins Stewart London Boat Show on a par with attendance as it stood at close of play on the first Sunday of the 2007 Show.  The balance of the Show looks very positive as pre-sales for the reminder of the Show are up 14% compared with last year.

So what's happening for the rest of the Show? Here are some highlights over the next 7 days:
 
Monday 14th January
- The winner of the prestigious annual Concept Boat competition will be announced on the BMF stand at midday
 
Tuesday 15th January
– Following the announcement of the YJA / Raymarine Yachtsman of the Year award at the Painted Hall at Greenwich, today’s Boat Review 2007 on the Main Stage, Powered by Fairline, will reflect the special day

Wednesday 16th January
- HRH Princess Royal will be arriving at the Show at 12.40pm before enjoying an official tour of the Show between 2.30pm and 3.50pm.  To conclude the visit Princess Anne will be presenting the RYA Yachtmaster of the Year Award 2007
 
Thursday 17th January
- Enjoy an evening stroll along the Marina in association with Cowes Online or catch live music from Laura Critchley on the Main Stage powered by Fairline on late-night Thursday
 
Friday 18th January
- Today, the BMF hosts a delegation from the South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province, led by the Governor Kim Moon-soo, to announce the first Korean International Boat Show to be held in June 2008
 
Saturday 19th January
- Out on the Marina the Dinghy Weekender kicks off with the highly competitive Ovington Boats Grand Prix.
 
Sunday 20th January
- The Dinghy Weekender and the final day of the Show culminates with the Yachts & Yachting's 'Battle of the Classes' Pursuit Race, starting at midday.