One of the surprises of the pandemic has been its impact on the boat market: sales have been skyrocketing.
The high demand and a shortage of building materials have resulted in a dearth of boats. Thus, people looking to purchase watercraft have had a tough time finding what they want.
Enter the Jacksonville Marine Association’s Spring Boat Show, which was held Friday through Sunday, April 16-18, at Metropolitan Park and Marina in Jacksonville. Twenty dealers showed off between 100 and 150 boats in all sizes and styles, giving those in the market for such a purchase a broad selection to consider.
In fact, it was the boat shortage that prompted the association to hold its first-ever outdoor show at the marina.
“We typically have a show in January at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, and this would have been our 74th year,” explained Erin Johnson, the association’s administrative director.
However, she said, dealers were not getting boats from manufacturers as quickly as they had hoped and were concerned that they would not have enough boats to show in January.
So the unusual show was canceled, and the spring show was held in its place.
If all goes well next year, the association may be able to host three shows.
“Our hope for 2022 will be that we will have the January show again,” said Johnson. “That will be our 74th, because we didn’t get to have one in 2020. And then we’ll have this one here in April, and then we typically do a fall show somewhere in St. Johns County.”
The inaugural spring show was three days of water-related fun, family-friendly activities and educational seminars. Sixty-five vendors lined the walkways throughout the show offering a wide range of wares -- some, though not all, nautical.
The stars of the show were the many fishing boats, cruisers, ski boats, pontoons, inflatables, personal watercraft and more.
Capt. Rick Murphy and Brie Gabrielle from Florida Insider Fishing Report gave presentations on throwing a cast net, fighting a fish and dissecting a water column. Kids’ fishing clinics were held on Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, there was live music, and food trucks kept visitors well-fed.
