Bayliner Boats - Stuart Boat Show

Rick here at Bayliner Boats, here is info on the Stuart Boat Show.
STUART, Florida — The floating docks are in place. The fencing, tents and tables are going up. The boats are starting to arrive.

By Friday, the asphalt blacktop of Old Dixie Highway west of the Old Roosevelt Bridge and the waters along the shoreline of the St. Lucie River's North Fork will be transformed into the Treasure Coast's largest boating showroom.

The Stuart Boat Show will open its 34th year of operation this weekend featuring something for every boater and, sellers hope, a kick start on sales for 2008.

The slow housing market and rising fuel prices and jobless rates have challenged many segments of the economy and the boating business has not been immune. Sales from mid-2006 through the third quarter of 2007 were well off the previous year's figures, but boat dealers had enjoyed robust buying in 2005.

Still, if sales are lagging, it has not effected the eagerness of exhibitors to display at this year's show.

"We have about 180 exhibitors which is about the same as last year," said Rick Allen whose AllSports Productions produces the Stuart Boat Show. "About 95 percent of the ones that were here last year are back again with new offerings."

Close to 13,000 boating enthusiasts attended last year's show, Allen said. If weather holds, he expects to see similar traffic through the show. Dealers and manufacturers eager to move inventory are offering incentives to buy.

"It's definitely a buyer's market," Allen said. "It bodes well for the boater or person who wants to get into it."

Jim Sabia of Top Notch Marine in Fort Pierce is one area boat dealer that looks forward to the Stuart Boat Show each year.

"The Stuart show is known — it has a good following of people who know what to expect," said Sabia who estimates Top Notch has attended the show for about 15 years. "It always has a good range of boats from 15 to 50-plus feet."

Sabia said the Stuart Boat Show has been a good weekend for his sales. From contacts made at the show, Sabia sells about half during show weekend and the other half in the 30-45 days following the show. Top Notch will offer its special pricing from the show for up to 90 days after it.

As for the down sales market of 2007, Sabia said his figures had a strong uptick in the last quarter. He estimated his sales figures were actually 4 percent above 2006.

"We had an unexpected blast when the dollar began losing its value overseas," said Sabia who sells BAYLINER, Key Largo, Key West, Trophy, Nautic Star and Rinker boats among others from stores in Fort Pierce and Melbourne. His price points range from $10,000 to $350,000. "We ended up getting calls from Australia and Europe and actually exported 40 units between October and December."

Sabia noted that while the market for mid-size boats dropped, boats under $15,000 and over about $75,000 sold well.

Brian Cunningham of Vero Marine Center — celebrating its 50th year in business this year — said that he's not ready to press the panic button on lagging sales.

"Boaters will always go boating," he said. "It's still the best family activity I know of. It's really an attitude and boaters understand the value of it."

Cunningham said sales were off in 2007, but 2005 was "a record year" for sales making it difficult to compare trends.

"December was excellent for us and January is off to a good start," he said. "Nobody can predict what is going to happen, but we'll be working harder and smarter."

New This Year: The Treasure Coast Treasure Chest. There will be a game piece in every program and specially-designated exhibitors will stamp the game piece. After the game piece is filled with stamps, show-goers can submit them for a chance to win one of three treasure chests filled with prizes from participating exhibitors.

34TH ANNUAL STUART BOAT SHOW

When: Friday-Sunday

Times: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where: On land and in the water at Stuart Harbor Marina, Allied Richard Bertram Marine Group Marina and Waterway Marina, from 54 to 290 N.E. Dixie Highway west of the Old Roosevelt Bridge.

What: Over 180 exhibitors showcasing more than 250 boats in the water, 250 boats on land and the latest in boating equipment, accessories, clothing, electronics, jewelry and fishing gear.

Admission: $10 for adults, children under 10 free.
Parking: Free parking located at several locations in downtown Stuart. Free shuttle service will be provided by Community Coach and a free water taxi will operate out of either the Stuart City Docks in downtown or from the Stuart anchorage.

For more information: Call (772) 692-7599 or visit www.miatc.com.

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Rick Ostler, Bayliner Boats.