Matt and Brandy Pierce were eyeing our Yamaha jet boat, the same model as the one they already had.
The Eastern Shore-based couple was working the crowd, looking to upgrade.
Hey, it’s not like they didn’t have any choices.
“We have a 2019 and we use it a lot for fishing,” said Matt. “It’s a great boat.
“We just have no clue what we want to get.”
At this weekend’s 73rd annual Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, there’s no shortage of options.
With a record number of boat dealers displaying insane opportunities, there could be more confusion than ever.
But that’s a good thing in the boat-selling business, especially after most potential buyers took last year off.
Like the Pierces, there’s plenty to look at during this weekend’s show.
Owned by the Norfolk Chapter of the Izaak Walton League – things continue from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday’s finale will depend on pending weather.
If conditions are right, hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $10 – free for kids under 12 who are with a paying adult.
As the crowd trickled in Friday afternoon, the first thing it noticed was the wide array of makes and models.
Boston Whalers, Contenders, Chaparrals, Carolina Skiffs, Hurricanes, Robolos, Sea Fox, May Craft, Cobia, Grady-White and more pontoon boats that you could ever shake a prop at.
There are golf carts the number of which you’ve likely never seen and electric outboard motors by Mercury.
Want to take up kayak fishing, yeah, they have that, too.
Non-boat vendors offered things like lifts and hull cleaning kits.
But boats command the attention.
“If you haven’t looked at new boats in a few years, you’re going to be shocked,” said Capt. Russ Kostinas, who puts on the event. “Technology is making things so much better.”
The huge variety of makes and models is joined by around 100 vendors and local fishing clubs.
And with interest rates shrinking more to buyer’s liking, boat ownership could be looking at a nice boom.
“We have all of our makes here and what we don’t have is on order,” Lynnhaven salesman Maxwell Schrumpf said. “Because of the interest rates, people waited last year.
“Now, this year looks like it could explode and everything is hot. People are tired of waiting. They’re ready to buy a boat.”
And this weekend’s show is a great place to get started.
To read more of my work, go to leetolliveroutdoors.com
