With summer just around the corner all signs are pointing to more new boats being sold in Bermuda.

After some lean years following the economic downturn of the late 2000s, there was a noticeable uptick in sales last year, and that trend is continuing, according to Linda Down, of PW Marine.

The sales manager is upbeat about prospects for 2016 with sales continuing to rise.

“Last year was the first healthy year for a while. We’ve seen tremendous growth in sales of new boats,” she said.

The purchases are fairly evenly split between Bermudians and non-Bermudians, with the former tending to make the larger buys.

A number of favourable factors are responsible for the improving sales outlook. Ms Down believes one factor is the removal of term limits for guest workers which has encouraged some to buy a boat.

“They have been given the confidence to buy; they feel they are going to be here longer, and they are making an investment,” she said.

While the staging of the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda probably has not had a huge influence on sales, it will have had some bearing on customers’ thoughts.

“It is something that is in people’s sights — to be out there in the front seat.”

PW Marine, which has its headquarters on the corner of Serpentine Road and Woodlands Road, in Pembroke, is perfectly placed to meet the needs of customers looking to get out on the water.

The company is the island agent for Boston Whaler, a popular recreational brand that has been around for more than 60 years.

This week Ms Down and two of the PW Marine team, Andrew De Costa, service manager, and Helder Correia, service tech, were preparing a new-look Boston Whaler 350 Outrage for a customer.

The stylish 35-foot boat can be used for a variety of activities, including fishing, diving, or simply cruising around. There are seating areas, some of which fold away to give more standing room, and behind the cuddy cabin is a compact barbecue grill, sink and food preparation counter, perfect for preparing those “out on the water” snacks.

There is plenty of storage space and the 350 Outrage is powered by three Mercury Verado engines, which can deliver a maximum of 1,050 horsepower.

Touchscreen control consoles are part of the advanced technology incorporated on the boat. It can be steered with the traditional wheel or a joystick control that will feel familiar to game station users.

Another notable feature is the Skyhook autopilot control, with this you can keep the boat stationary in a set position and heading, useful when waiting in a queue at a dock or marine gas station, or when you simply want to hang around a particular spot.

Boston Whalers range in size from about 13ft to 42ft, and specifications can be customised to suit a customer’s requirements.

Ms Down has been involved in the industry for 30 years and said multi-purpose Boston Whalers have an enduring appeal that is particularly evident in Bermuda.

PW Marine offers a full range of maintenance services to give customers peace of mind. It also sells a number of other boat brands, such as Tiara Yachts, Pursuit and Sea Ray, while its store stocks a wide range of boating and boating-related accessories.

Ms Down said a key part of PW Marine’s success has been the strong teamwork approach of its staff and the handling of customers’ needs in a thoughtful and professional manner.

“We have a lot of repeat customers,” she said. And looking to the future, she added: “2015 was a great year for us, and 2016 has started the same way.”

PW Marine has a Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PW-Marine-Bermuda-137154523063636/