More boat shows dropping anchor in Lee, Collier counties
It's a Southwest Florida boating and fishing lover's dream: back-to-back weekends of boat shows.
Today marks the start of the four-day 44th annual Naples boat show. Sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of Collier County, the event takes place at the corner of Goodlette-Frank Road and Tamiami Trail in downtown Naples.
On Feb. 5 and 6, Florida Sportsman magazine hosts the 118th Fishing and Boat Show at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers.
The popular magazine promises the North Fort Myers show will be better than previous shows, with ongoing seminars, kids' events, hands-on instruction and demonstrations.
"It's a family fishing festival, so bring the kids and plan on spending the entire day surrounded by fishing events and fishing stuff," said Denise Oyler of Florida Sportsman magazine.
The most popular part of the event - a huge indoor tackle sale - will fill the civic center, while fishing boats, kayaks and accessories will cover the lawn out front.
In addition to the stages for inshore, offshore, angler on foot, kayak and fly fishing, there are two new stages: hunting and electronics.
The hunting stage this year will feature Swamp Buggies of Florida and the monster buggy as seen on their new Discovery Channel show. There will be archery and gator hunting seminars. Also, Jonathon Swindle from the TV show, "Blue Collar Adventures," will be at the show.
At the Humminbird Electronics Stage, representatives will be on hand to answer any plotting questions, while Humminbird will also offer free updates on all its products.
"Anyone who enjoys fishing will have something to see," promises Oyler.
This weekend's Naples event features acres of new and used boats and RVs on display and dozens of vendors. Almost all the area's major boat dealers - 12 to 15 dealers - will be on hand, as well as almost 60 vendors displaying other marine and outdoor recreational products.
"It's a dreamland for people who own a boat or are fascinated by them," said Frank Perrucci, president of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County.Edgar Hansen from another Discovery Channel TV show, "Deadliest Catch," will be on site Saturday to sign autographs and tell tales about life on the Bering Sea and aboard the Northwestern fishing vessel.
A Kids' Corner will occupy the children. Blues music and Southern fare from Texas Tony's BBQ Shack will satisfy the other senses.
Philip Osborne, vice president of the 22-year family-run Naples Boat Mart, will bring 2011 models and boating gadgets to the Naples show.
"The industry as a whole was suffering from way too much inventory the last few years," Osborne said. "That stuff has pretty much gone bye-bye now, and we have brand-new factory-fresh models to show."
New boat sales have taken the helm of the industry, according to boat registrations at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
In Lee County, 717 new fiberglass boats up to 63 feet were sold in 2010, with 470 in Collier County.
"We're seeing nice, even activity over all our brands and over all our sizes, which is refreshing," Osborne said. "Nationwide, I think the boating industry is up 11 percent."Read More ...
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