VERO BEACH — Warm, breezy weather greeted local boating and water enthusiasts and brought a brisk business Saturday to the Vero Beach Spring Boat Show at Riverside Park.
“We had four guys working the booth and from 10 (a.m.) when we opened until about 2 (p.m.), we never got a chance to talk to one another,” said Vero Marine Center General Manager and show organizer, Brian Cunningham. “We were that busy.”
Cunningham said what makes the Vero show unique compared to others is that he keeps the focus local.
“I think it is important that the people you meet to sell you the boat are the people who will be taking care of you and the boat when it needs servicing,” he said. “For that reason I don’t market this in West Palm, or Tampa or Orlando.”
One of his boats getting a lot of foot traffic was a Grady-White Express 330 with twin 350 horsepower V-8 Yamaha outboards and all the bells and whistles, including air conditioned helm, diesel generator, freezer, microwave, DVD and 15-inch flat screen TV.
Grady said as of Saturday afternoon he had at least four sales lined up, but completion of the deals depended on the value of trade-ins and the new owner actually taking his boat out on the water early next week.
In all, there were 24 vendors on hand for the show selling items including canoes and kayaks, deck boats, pontoon boats, shallow water skiffs, offshore fishing machines and cruisers, marine accessories and services, and other nautical goodies. There were even representatives on hand to offer financing and insurance.
One of the busiest vendors was Malcom Allen, owner of Orchid Island Bikes & Kayaks. By Saturday afternoon he was dealing with interested customers sometimes two at a time.
“Things are going very well,” said Allen, who thought he was ahead in business compared to the same time last year. “The weather has really cooperated.”
Cunningham said it was difficult to put a number on the crowd as the show offers free parking and does not charge an admission. However, he too, said the seasonable weather Saturday helped to bring out boating enthusiasts.
One such person was Bill Carbone, a seasonal resident who just came to see what the show had to offer and ended up buying a floating dock that he may also use as a raft.
“I’m always interested in seeing what they have,” he said.The Vero Beach Boat Show will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverside Park. Admission and parking are free.
