Hartford Boat Show Opening Thursday February 8

Life is better with a boat, and the Hartford Boat Show, powered by Evinrude, will cruise into the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, this Thursday, February 8 through Sunday, February 11 with all the fanfare of a regatta. Produced by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA), the show will feature over 125 exhibitors and 400 watercraft.

The 49th annual Hartford Boat Show will cover the entire Convention Center with boats, exhibits, demonstrations, educational areas and hospitality features. Visitors will find boats of all kinds and sizes, jet skis, personal watercraft, paddle sports, kayaks, marinas, motors, slip rentals, servicing, fishing gear and tackle, educational programs and materials, insurance, trailers, electronics, sanitation, air conditioning, real estate, attire, nautical home décor, decking, dock building, winter storage, and financing.

Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday, February 8 at 2:30 pm, and Captain Andrew Tucci, Sector Commander and Captain of the Port at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, is scheduled to participate.

“The Hartford Boat Show has always been representative of the variety of recreational boating opportunities there are for all ages across our state, and it is also a great time for boating enthusiasts to connect with the business side of our industry,” according to CMTA Executive Director, Kathleen Burns.

Boasting over 618 miles of tidal shoreline, 180 lakes and over 5,800 miles of rivers, recreational boating in Connecticut is far more than just fun on water – it’s business that is vital to the Connecticut economy, employing over 7,300 people and engaging nearly 100,000 people who register boats in the state each year. Over 95% of the Hartford Boat Show’s exhibitors are Connecticut based companies, representing the vast scope of recreational boating in the state. Connecticut businesses from all regions of the state are participating, with the inland regions represented from Candlewood to Columbia, the shoreline from Noank to Norwalk and the Connecticut River Valley from Saybrook to Portland.

Over 20 new exhibitors are joining the Hartford Boat Show this year, including Cabela’s now merged with Bass Pro, Lake View Marine, Connor’s & O’Brien Marine, Island Cove Marina, Essex Marine Group, North East Dock Sales, C & D Underwater Maintenance, Air Chair, Boat Locker, Click Heat, New England Science and Sailing Foundation (NESS), Port Milford, Maritime Insurance International, 64 Solar, and skube.me. Bay State Woodies is also a new exhibitor. As the Massachusetts chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS), the group will be bringing three vintage wood boats including a notable 1932 Chris Craft.

“This year’s show really has something for every type of boater in Connecticut, from those who ski and wake board on our lakes, fish in our rivers, to those who cruise or sail the sound, and even those who want to charter a boat or enjoy our waterfront destinations,” said Burns. “And, with our Windows to the Future and Boating in Connecticut Workforce sections, we will be highlighting marine trades training programs and career opportunities,” she continued.

The Windows to the Future section sponsored by Renewal by Andersen will feature students from Thompson Public School District’s boat building program constructing a small wood boat, The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), NESS, and Cedar Island Marine Research Lab. Students from The Sound School of New Haven and several of the state’s technical school automotive departments are also scheduled to participate. On Saturday February 10 and Sunday February 11, kids visiting the show are welcome to join in some Hands on Fun in the Windows to the Future area and try their hands at boat building kit activities.

Throughout The Hartford Boat Show, visitors can attend fishing skill educational sessions and demonstrations. Popular Blackhawk party boat captain Greg Dubrule, will be teaching “Ten Top Tips to Catch More Fluke, Seabass & Cod.” The Three Belles Outfitters team will present “Intro to Kayak Fishing,” “The Power of Sonar – Kayak Fishing,” and “Catch Monster Striped Bass from a Kayak.” In the 800 square foot Paddler’s Paradise Demo Pool supported by Shore Side Docks, Blackhall Outfitters will be conducting live demonstrations of paddle board tips and tricks with a “This is Easy!” session geared toward beginners, “Paddling with your Feet?,” which will introduce the new Malibu PDL recreational kayak, “Stand up Kayak Fishing,” and will also provide instruction on “Kayak Fishing Rigging Techniques and Outfitting your Boat.” NESS is presenting two sessions: An outboard engine basics classes and “Using Boating for STEM Education.” Expanded for this year, the skill-testing Blackhawk Fishing Charters Fighting Chair Challenge will run throughout the show. All activities are included in admission.

Tickets for The Hartford Boat Show are available at www.hartfordboatshow.com. Pre-show online tickets are $10 and a multi-day pass is available at $18 which allows access to the show any two days. The Senior Skip’rs pass for February 9 is $8. Admission on-site at the Show will be $12. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult are free. Group sales for groups over 15 people may be arranged by contacting CMTA Show Staff at 860-767-2645.

The Hartford Boat Show will be open Thursday, February 8 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.; Friday, February 9 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Saturday, February 10 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; and Sunday, February 11 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For schedule details and a full list of exhibitors, visit www.hardfordboatshow.com. Follow new developments on Facebook at @CMTAboating, Twitter at @HartfordBoatSho and Instagram at ctmarinetrades.