Opening day crowds, braving a wintry weekend debut, were solidly positive as this year's version of New England's largest indoor boat show kicked off Saturday in Boston. This year's show runs through Feb. 18 at the Boston Convention Center.
Boating has become a family experience for many participants and this year's show went long on displaying the numerous virtues of enjoying time on New England's vast assortment of lakes and ponds as well as our extensive coastline.
Potential buyers are treated to expansive displays of the latest Yamaha twin-jet-driven boats packed with performance features and the kind of low-draft access that is extremely convenient around the beach. Strikingly handsome bow-riders from premium makers Cobalt and Chris Craft pursue the premium end of this family-friendly market, while SeaDoo and SeaRay each produce top-selling models that capture a variety of budgets. SeaRay's latest black-hulled SLX250 proved to be one of the show's more stunning models, a sleek do-it-all family ski/tube/wakeboard boat that packs the high quality ratings that SeaRay has accumulated.
Boat deals abound at the show as the industry banks on recording the majority of its new boat sales at visual displays just like the Boston show. Coastal boaters are familiar with Wellcraft; its top-selling 252 Coastal was over $25,000 off the suggested price of $119,630 with twin Yamaha 150-hp outboards. SeaRay's 260 Sundancer, a New England favorite for years, lists for $136,395 but was on sale for `only' $99,900 with a 300-hp 350-MAG I/O engine.
There are also the big cruisers at the show, boats such as Formula's 35-foot 350SS which carries a 10-foot-9-inch beam and twin 8.2-liter MAG V-8 engines. The Formula was a cool $148,000 off from list price with a show special of $274,900.
Nearby was Maine's own Back Cove 30, one of the more luxurious vessels on display. Built in Rockland, the Back Cove uses a typical Downeast-style hull, yet it sports the latest in premium cruising amenities. Several `shoppers' were pleased, and proud, to learn that the Back Cove is built in Maine. Look for the Back Cove at next month's Portland Boat Show, as there is apparently no shortage of customers waiting for this yacht.
For sailors, Hunter's 33-foot sailboat, Cruising Magazine's Boat of the Year in the under 35-foot class, makes a dramatic statement. This benchmark sailboat was featured for $127,650, or only $646 a month.
If that seems beyond your household budget - and beyond your confidence level - there are hundreds of smaller boats, inflatables and sail-craft on display. A large pond has been built inside the hall to feature Chesapeake Performance's radio-controlled sailboats, starting at $450, plus nearby there is the trailerable Windrider catamaran for only $8,250.
For lake boaters, Premier's display of its vast pontoon boat lineup blew everyone else away. Featuring three-tubes below, the Premier boats come with optional in-board engines, camper packages, plus second-tier platforms for entertaining. There is even a model with a full galley and wet-bar with upscale audio, overhead atmosphere lites and a sink. Prices range from $17,000 to over $60,000 for these performance pontoons.
From huge displays for Grady White, Boston Whaler, Zodiac and Monterey to CMD's replacement diesel engines and more navigational aids than you'll ever expect to need, the New England Boat Show has a display to whet your appetite to get back onto the water this year.
