"I am more worried about the unforeseen impact on the UK boat builders not all of whose product is sold to people who can afford such an increase in cost ..."

The argument that those who can afford big power boats can afford the increase in price is nonsense.

On my first pontoon there were just two boats with petrol engines. The first a 33 footer went on their maiden trip and was so shocked at the cost that they spent the winter fitting diesel engines. The other converted to gas.

There are many boaters, in fact the majority of power boaters who simply could not afford their boats if the full diesel price hike happened. There are many real enthusiasts who choose to forgo many other things in life so that they can have their boat.

Paul