On the heels of last weekend’s Daytona Boat Show in Florida, the focus turns to the big-market shows in Detroit and Seattle that begin their runs today.
The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida held its annual three-day Daytona show at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach last weekend. The show included 14 dealers displaying more than 300 boats from 40-plus builders, plus an array of accessory and service booths.
“One surprise was that dealers reported a very good number of potential new boaters showed up,” says MIACF executive director Cathy Case. “I’m not sure we expected that, but it’s very good sign. Our overall attendance was solid, and our features, especially a live trout fishing pond and, most notably, a new kids free caricature drawing exhibit, were big hits with the families.”
Last month, MIACF staged its Orlando Boat Show at the Orlando Convention Center.
Meanwhile, the oldest and largest in-water show on the Great Lakes, the Metro Boat Show, drops anchor today at Lake St. Clair Metropark near Detroit. The four-day event is produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association.
“This is our premiere fall event that features boats up to 60 feet in-water, plus hundreds of smaller boats on land alongside many accessory and outdoor products displays,” says MBIA executive director Nicki Polan. “This show traditionally draws large crowds from Michigan and our surrounding states.”
Appearing at the show will be Daisy Kelliher, from Bravo TV’s Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Kelliher is an avid boater who will share on and off television stories while teaching how to make her “boat drinks.”
When showgoers are done climbing aboard the more than 300 boats on display, they can partake in lawn games, spend time in the Kids Zone, listen to live music at the Tiki Bar and enjoy the new Hops, Props, Sails & Ales pavilion featuring Michigan craft beers and hard ciders.
Today in Seattle, all eyes are on the opening of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association’s Boats Afloat Show, which boasts a fleet of more than 170 boats, plus displays from 70 other exhibitors.
The show is slated for a four-day run at the Lake Union Piers on South Lake Union, and features power- and sailboats in a fall festival atmosphere, with food and beverages, free sailboat rides, live daily music and a schedule of kid’s activities.
Today’s opening has been declared “Women’s Day,” with special discount pricing.
For the first time, the show is partnering with Salmon for Soldiers, a non-profit that provides free fishing activities for veterans and active-duty military personnel with a mission to reduce stress and create new relationships through boating and fishing. Attendees will be able to support the organization by purchasing raffle tickets for a variety of prizes.
For wannabe sailors, the Seattle Sailing Club is offering three-hour Intro to Sailing courses aboard 35-foot keelboats for a $50 advance registration fee, which includes show admission. And for youngsters, the Center for Wooden Boats is offering free workshops on Saturday and Sunday in which kids will build their own toy boats to take home.
In New England, the Newport International Boat Show opens today in Rhode Island as officials watch the progress of Hurricane Lee. The following statement is posted at the show’s website:
We are continuing to track the progression of Hurricane Lee, and we will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as we gain more relevant information.
The Freedom Boat Club In-Water Power Training has been canceled, and the Jamestown Ferry is discontinuing service Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The boating industry has entered its long lineup of fall shows from coast to coast, giving a much-needed boost to retail sales.
