The winter of 2012 in South Jersey has been a particularly mild
one, and organizers behind the Progressive Insurance Atlantic City
Boat Show are hoping thoughts of spring can equal more traffic -
and more boat sales. The boat show, which kicked off Wednesday at
the Atlantic City Convention Center, will run through Sunday, Feb.
5, and features a full schedule of family-friendly activities.
“It’s fun for everybody in the family,” says Jon Pritko, who
manages the show for the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
“There is something for everybody to do. It gets people thinking of
boating season a little early.”
The boat show, which is estimated to be about 25 percent larger
this year than past shows, will feature hundreds of boats and
thousands of boating accessories, as well as games, seminars,
children’s events and more than $30,000 in available prizes.
Available boats range from $300 kayaks to yachts that retail for
more than $1 million. But Pritko hopes new boaters will be drawn to
boats in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, which can be financed for
about $250 to $300 a month.
“We want people to go, ‘Hey, you know, boating is affordable,’”
Pritko said. “And it’s nice because you don’t have a sales person
pressuring you. People sometimes get intimidated by that.”
Beginner and intermediate education sessions are also on the
schedule, Pritko says, ranging on topics from basic boating safety,
how to tie knots, engine repair and how to maintain the shine on
the hull of the boat. The popular Fishing University, produced by
the Recreational Fishing Alliance, also returns this year, along
with lots of fishing-related giveaways.
“We also have some sport fishing boats that haven’t been seen in
a while,” Pritko said. “So, we’re taking baby steps and we’re going
to grow the field back to what it once was.”
Green boating options will also be on display, including a new
addition to the show – a hydrogen-powered boat that travels up to
70 knots with no emissions, Pritko says.
Visitors can also try the new Boating Simulator, beat the clock
in the Power Boat Docking Challenge, scuba dive in a heated pool,
and hear from world-famous teenage sailing adventurer, Abby
Sunderland, who will be promoting her new book, “Unsinkable.”
Children can also join in the fun and paddle boats in a mini
“lake,” build their own boat, learn important safety tips and pose
for photos with SpongeBob Squarepants.
“The build-a-boat display is really cool, because the kids can
actually make something and get their hands dirty,” Pritko
said.
MarineMax in Somers Point, the top boat retailer in the country,
has been an exhibitor at the annual show for more than 12 years,
showcasing brands like Bayliner, Harris and Cabo yachts. MarineMax
business manager Greg Keil says the show gives them the chance to
interact with a new potential base of customers.
“South Jersey is really an enormous boating community, not only
for pleasure, but for fishing boats,” Keil said. “We have all types
of customers … and we provide everything you need to go
boating.”
MarineMax just came off of a successful boat show in New York
this month, Keil says. He hopes to see the trend continue in
Atlantic City.
“It’s a great place where customers can come and compare models
side by side,” Keil said. “Sometimes you don’t get to see two or
three different boats like that … so it’s really special. We try
to provide the best boating experience. We’re expecting to have an
early spring. It’s been a really mild winter, and we’re hoping that
translates into more boat sales.”
Similar news:
RSS
Facebook
Google+
Twitter
