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If more would-be boat buyers signal an economic rebound, then Gulf Coast waters could be smooth in the near future.
That analysis comes courtesy of the Suncoast Boat Show, held at Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota April 25-27. Show organizers say the three-day event was the largest one ever, in 32 years. The total number of boats on display in the water rose 14% over 2013 and new boats for sale were up 18%. Show officials also report the 46-foot-and-under category increased 16% over the 2013 show, a sign that small boat buyers, who mostly evaporated in the recession, have started to return.
Not only were there more boats, but boat sellers say sales activity was brisk. Several companies closed deals at the show, according to a release. “We came away from the show with several contracts, many more scheduled sea trials and we look forward to enjoying strong results from the event,” says Darren Plymale, vice president of Anna Maria Island-based Galati Yacht Sales, which had 18 boats in the show.
Two other firms with strong sales activity, says Fort Lauderdale-based Show Management, which produces the event, were Sarasota Yacht & Ship and Clearwater-based industry giant MarineMax. “We experienced outstanding results at the show this year, greatly surpassing last year's units and revenue totals,” MarineMax Regional Vice President Kyle Langbehn says in the release. “We are very pleased to see people back in the market deciding to enjoy the boating lifestyle, demonstrated by both the qualified traffic at our display and the influx of new visitors to our Sarasota store.”
Finally, what would an economy-is-back boat show be without a 110-foot yacht?
The largest boat at the show, and a vessel event organizers say is the biggest boat the show has ever had, was the 110-foot Broward motor yacht “Entrepreneur.” The boat, available for sale and charter, was formerly owned by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key.
“We enjoyed a good flow of interested people throughout the show” says yacht broker David Johnson with Denison Yacht Sales, which displayed the “Entrepreneur.” “Having a boat like this in the show attracted people from the area who otherwise may have not come. Some people like to see the biggest boat in the show.”
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