Fall Boat Shows

I’m not a tire kicker but I sure act like one. The truth is I hate to rush big decisions. I like to take my time, consider all of the pros and cons, do a lot of research, and work out all of the fine details. When I finally get off the dime I’m in good shape; by that I mean my hand doesn’t shake when I sign on the dotted line.

Buying a new boat is one such decision; there are an awful lot of moving parts that come along with the purchase. It begins by choosing a hull and power to match your boating conditions. Then, you’ll need to match the boat and motor to a trailer which gets matched to your truck. We haven’t begun to evaluate electronics, storage, and financing, either. I try to iron out as many of those details up front. I tend to lose my head when I’m coming up on plane the wind rips through my hair during a sea trial.

Waiting until February to research a new boat means you’ll be under the gun. With boating season around the corner, you’ll be chomping at the bit to get a vessel in the water, and the odds are good that you’ll overlook something important. Proper preparation prevents poor performance (the 5 P’s), and one way to get ahead of the curve is to check out a Fall/Winter Boat Show.

Fall/Winter Boat Shows give you everything that a Winter/Spring Boat Show gives you plus time. There are over 40 that I know of that occur between now and mid-January, and they’re the first opportunity to see the majority of your options under one roof. After that you can swing by a specific boat yard to get your specific questions answered. And if you’re like me you’ll swing by a Winter/Spring Boat Show to be sure that your t’s are crossed and your i’s are dotted.

Boat shows aren’t just sales oriented, and they usually offer a number of seminars, panel discussions, how-to clinics and family activities. If you’re new to boating, as we all are at one time of our lives, you can learn more about boating while finding a brand that will accommodate most of your needs and wishes (one boat usually doesn’t cover them all). As a lot of boaters are fishermen it’s common to find tackle manufacturers showing new tackle.

When you sign on the dotted line it will be with a firm hand, and here’s the kicker; you’ll still have your boat rigged and waiting in time for the front end of the season. Here are a couple of great resources for boat shows, and be sure to check with your local/regional marinas and dealers for others. www.boatshows.com and www.marinesource.com/boat_shows