A top Irish boat dealer will officially launch its first Welsh dealership at the All Wales Boat Show in Pwllheli.
The unveiling of BJ Marine’s new outlet at Pwllheli marina will be first of two new international partnerships to be announced at the three-day event from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10.
The other partnership being unveiled at the show is the appointment of the Pwllheli boatyard Partington Marine as agents for Slovenian boat manufacturers Seascape. It is the first time the European manufacturer of trailable yachts has had an agent in Wales.
BJ Marine will stock some of the biggest brands in yachts and powerboats, including Beneto, Monte Carlo, and Fontaine Paggio.
With prices ranging from between £25,000 and up to £1m, the company expects to attract buyers from across Wales and the North West of England.
And with its own marina just south of Dublin, BJ Marine also hopes to strengthen links across the Irish Sea and welcome many sailors to Greystones Harbour Marina.
Sales manager Mike Caplan, who is heading up the new Pwllheli branch, says he’s looking forward to showing off some of BJ Marine’s top of the range sailing stock, at the All Wales Boat Show in May.
Mr Caplan, formerly sales manager at North Wales firm Dickies, said: “We are really excited to be part of this year’s All Wales Boat Show, not just because it’s a great event but also because this year we will launching BJ Marine’s first sales office in Wales.
“Opening the branch here in Pwllheli adds to the international network of BJ Marine, with offices in Belfast, Dublin and Malta.
“Wales is an important market and we are coming out of the recession, with sales increasing and the industry is expanding in waves.
“The whole experience at Pwllheli and the developments here mean it is the perfect place to base BJ Marine’s first Welsh outlet.”
“We’ll be bringing some great boats from big name brands to the All Wales Boat Show, and we hope people will come along to see them in the water.”
The move to Pwllheli form the All Wales Boat Show comes after two successful years in Conwy.
Organisers expect sales to top £2 million with an extra £500,000 being pumped into the local economy by visitors.
The event will be held at Plas Heli, the Welsh Sailing Academy and Events Centre and will be officially opened by Welsh Government Tourism Minister Ken Skates.
Partington Marine will have two 18-foot Seascape sailing boats available for visitors to view at the All Wales Boat Show, one demonstrator in the water and one displayed on a road trailer.
The company will also be offering boat show visitors a free rib ride shuttle service provided by Offshore Sea School between the Plas Heli’s marina and Partington Marine’s walkway pontoon in the Outer Harbour, so customers can come and browse Partington Marine’s well stocked chandlery and clothing shop and view any of their brokerage boats at their site.
Managing director Wil Partington said: “We’re delighted to launch our new venture as agents for Seascape at the All Wales Boat Show.
“These lift-keel 18 footers are great little boats, they are affordable, but also versatile and fast, without being too scary. Perfect for families wanting to move into sailing and set to become Pwllheli’s One design class of choice as they are ideal for racing and sailing our fantastic waters of Tremadog bay.
“The show is going to bring a real buzz to Pwllheli, there is so much going on here, it’s exciting to see Plas Heli completed and able to host this event in its first year.
“Partington Marine has been established here for over 50 years so it’s great to see this expansion happening on our doorstep.”
Davina Carey-Evans, Managing Director of Wales Watersports International which operates the All Wales Boat Show, said: “It is wonderful to have these two international partnerships launched at the 2015 All Wales Boat Show.
“These links with Ireland and Slovenia help keep Pwllheli on the map as one of the world’s best destinations for sailing expertise and equipment.
“We are sure visitors will be excited to see the boats both BJ Marine and Partington Marine have to showcase.
“It will be a fun experience for visitors to see them on the water in such a fabulous setting as Plas Heli, which is a fantastic facility right next door to where both firms now have bases, in Pwllheli.
“We will have an even bigger range of boats on show this year with everything from high end luxury craft to Sealeg which is a rib that can literally drive onto a beach, along with hand built boats, boats that you can fold up and put in the back of your car and paddle boards.
“In addition, there’ll be plenty of entertainment with a jet ski world champion and wakeboarding displays.
The All Wales Boat Show is designed to appeal to local, regional and international visitors.
In addition to the All Wales Boat Show website at www.allwalesboatshow.co.uk a new site, www.waleswatersports.com has been launched by the show organisers to act as a major portal for the marine and watersports sector in Wales.
