The Bay Bridge Boat Show
I’m finally starting to believe spring is here, but I need an extra nudge. Fortunately, the spring boat show is this week.
As you’d expect, the star of every boat show is boats. This year’s show continues the industry’s recovery since the crash of 2008 and features more than 400 boats. The lineup includes boats of many types, from seven to 70 feet. But the boat show experience is more than boarding boats and talking to sales representatives.
At the Demo Dock, you can try selected models. I’ll be scouting out the Sea Born LX 24.
There are also several training seminars and workshops. Boat US offers three on-the-water classes on 20- to 26-foot powerboats. These are substantial (and expensive: $149). Each class is three hours long, with only three to four students per boat. Three class offerings — intro, women only and precision docking and handling — are repeated multiple times. I’ll be taking Boating with Tablets and Apps. Also available are Get Your Captains License, Docking and Line Handling and Dock and Dine on the Chesapeake.
New this year is the LH Finance VIP experience, designed for serious boat buyers. It includes comfortable seating, food and drink and preferred parking. Pre-qualifying for a boat loan gets you the VIP pass.
For us non-VIPs, there will be a variety of food and drink. There is also a children’s area with a moon bounce and face painting.
See you there. I’ll be the one with the big smile on my face.
FSa 10am-6pm, Su 10am-5pm, Bay Bridge Marina, Stevensville, $12 w/discounts: www.annapolisboatshows.com