Organizers of the 39th annual United States Powerboat Show, held Oct. 14-17 in Annapolis, Md., said attendance this year more than doubled from the rain-soaked 2009 show and rivaled the numbers of 2008.
The powerboat show followed the successful United States Sailboat Show, held Oct. 7-11 in the same location.
“This industry needed a shot in the arm and a signal that the worst of the sales slump is behind us,” said Paul Jacobs, general manager of show producer United States Yacht Shows, in a statement. “Large enthusiastic crowds, along with the many boats being sold over the four-day event, could be a sign that the recovery has begun. We certainly hope that is the case. It felt like a far more positive mood among sellers and buyers than the past two years.”
Organizers said preliminary numbers show that about 90,000 people attended the two shows.
“Boats of all sizes and styles were sold this year, according to our exhibitors. Everything from runabouts to trawlers and tugs to express cruisers shared in the success,” show manager Dee Newman said in a statement.
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