Sweden’s Open Yards on the island of Orust saw lots of positive visitors during its three-day run. Held under sunny skies from August 21-23, exhibitors reported strong interest from the many visitors – almost 20,000 in all – at the 20th edition of the show.

“We’ve had lots of reports of interested and motivated buyers on the bridges,” says Patric Borén, project manager at event organiser Sweboat. “Exhibitors have many leads and test drives to work with after the show.

“A clear trend among our member companies is that more than 50% say they’ve had a better or much better season than the previous year, which was also an increase on the year before,” he adds. “We hope this will lead to more business activities.”

This year’s Open Yards, held at the two harbours in Ellös and Henån, saw a record number of more than 170 boats, of which more than 20 were world or Swedish premieres. Around 100 equipment and service companies also took part.

“We are very satisfied. With fantastic weather, we thought maybe that would mean fewer visitors, but that didn’t happen. Of the 20,000 visitors most were boating people and there were lots of boats sold,” says Magnus Rassy, managing director of Swedish sailboat builder Hallberg-Rassy Varvs AB.

Sweboat CEO Mats Eriksson was also positive. “The common feeling amongst exhibitors is that the market definitely has changed for the better,” he says. “Interest in buying a new boat or changing to another one is at a new level and it’s the same for engines and equipment.”

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