JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Boat sales took a big hit during the recent downturn in the economy but things are looking up say boat dealers at the Jacksonville Boat Show being held this weekend.
The boat show is being held this weekend at the Prime Osborn Convention Center with some 20 dealers on hand with 200 boats on display.
"We've had a tough two years," said George Cassel of North Florida Yacht Sales. Cassel has been in the boat business 37 years. " But we've seen a turn that started last September, October. It started to slowly turn and now January things have really taken off for us. As boat dealers, we are all very pleased."
The dealers at this boat show put on by the Jacksonville Marine Association hope to sell as many as 100 boats. "This is the time to come to a boat show because all the dealers have their boats marked down, trying to get rid of some of their inventory, trying to sell," said Kenny Sherwood, event manager. "You can go around and look at all the boats available without having to go all around town."
"People are tired of being pent up I think," said Cassel. "They are moving forward and buying boats."
One new boat on display is a 32-foot open boat by Monterrey. It seats 12 people on an open deck with a partial covering. Usually 32-foot boats are a cabin cruiser with a galley and sleeping quarters. Cassel says these larger day boats are quite popular.
The show features vendors with equipment and boating related businesses. Kids can participate in fishing clinics. The boat show continues on Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
First Coast News