Summer can’t come soon enough this year for some folks.  The 10^th Annual Great Upstate Boat Show returns to the Adirondack Sports Complex on March 27 for a 3-day run.

Here’s a chance for you to wash away those winter blues and make plans for some summer fun.  According to Roger Phinney, Executive Director of the Eastern New York Marine Trades Association (ENYMTA), visitors to the show will get a rare opportunity to compare boat brands side-by-side at competitive bargain pricing.  “There will be a wide array of models on display that boaters of all ages and lifestyles can enjoy,” Phinney said.  “Bring the whole family to see 60 different boat brands and over 175 boats on display at the show.  It’s truly a one-stop shopping experience.”

“Whether you’re interested in water-sports, finding a prize catch or just cruising around, there’s a boat for every budget and lifestyle.  This show provides people with the area’s largest selection of boats and dealers, making it easier to gather information to put together the right decision for you and your family,” said Phinney.  “We recently did a survey of dealer inventory and counted over 1,500 boats in-stock and available for spring delivery,” he added.

According to Phinney, several area boat dealers have put their heads together and come up with some very innovative ways to tempt potential buyers who attend the Great Upstate Boat Show at the Dome (Adirondack Sports Complex) in Queensbury March 27 – 29.

Phinney said a couple of new motivations to buy a boat will be the “Sign & Save” incentive and the “Crack-the-Vault” contest.  With “Sign & Save”, boat buyers (at the show only) will receive a coupon for an additional two percent off when they sign a contract to purchase a boat.  “Buyers at the show will also earn two chances to win $25,000 in our new Crack-the-Vault contest,” Phinney said.

“We’re building on the success of last year’s show in that we’re going to have even more to choose from”, said Phinney. “Customers want to see the latest gadgets and features and are always interested in new innovations. We expect the new models will have a lot to offer”.

Here are some of the reasons why Phinney says now is the time to buy that boat.  Manufactures and dealers are brainstorming ways to get people into their showrooms.  Many value-added services and support enticements are being attached to boat purchase prices giving today’s buyer a distinct advantage.  And, dealers are aggressively pricing non-current inventory, doing whatever is required to move those boats off their lots pronto.  Some go as far as pricing select models at or below cost, realizing the longer they hold on to it, the worse the eventual bite to their bottom line will be.

The rise in interest (not interest rates, which are lower than last year) is on the retailer side of the equation, not necessarily the buying-public side.  But, due to various aggressive selling tactics, those who waited to take the plunge may have hit the jackpot because the equation may just balance out as the boat buyers come out of the woodwork, so to speak.

No longer is it business as usual in the marine industry.  What used to work is history. Aside from the monetary aspect (saving big bucks on a boat purchase now) a potential buyer needs to look at the other facets of owning a boat.

Geographically, we live in an area of the state where no one is more than an hour away from a body of water.  Boating is not only a way to escape the doldrums of everyday life but is a social event as well.  “Time with family and friends is a large part of the boating experience,” Phinney added.

Phinney said the U.S Power Squadron will have a boating simulator available at the show.  “There’s a steering wheel and controls connected to a TV simulator so you can test your skills at docking or maneuvering a slalom course,” he said.           Phinney said there will be daily seminars and the New York State Boater Safety Course will be offered at the show.

“There will be over 20 lifestyle vendors at the show as well,” he said.

Daily admission to the three-day event is $8 and children under 12 are free.   Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.greatupstateboatshow.com/”www.greatupstateboatshow.com  for a $2-off coupon and register to win an iPad Air or Go-Pro Camera.  Location: Adirondack Sports Complex, 326 Sherman Ave., Queensbury, NY 12804.  Times: Friday 10am – 8pm; Saturday 10am – 8pm; Sunday 10am – 6pm.  For more information or any questions, call 518-791-0070.