Boating Begins at The Hartford Boat Show Opening Thursday, February 9

The Hartford Boat Show, powered by Evinrude, will dock at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, February 9 through February 12, 2017. Produced by the Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA), The Show will feature over 150 exhibitors and 250 boats and watercraft. The 48th annual event will cover the entire Convention Center.

Evinrude/BRP is the Official Sponsor of The Hartford Boat Show, The CT Buick GMC Dealers are the Official Vehicle; and Helly Hansen, the Official Apparel supporters. Products being exhibited include 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.

“With the football season behind us, many boaters are now starting to prepare for warmer weather, getting their boats in the water, making upgrades and purchases, and planning trips,” according to CMTA Executive Director, Kathleen Burns.

The CMTA reports that Connecticut boasts a wealth of water access, including 618 miles of tidal shoreline, 180 inland lakes, and hundreds of miles of rivers, all offering residents varied opportunities to get involved in recreational boating.

Over 25 new exhibitors have joined this year’s show, including the first and only New England boat show appearances for Spirit of Britany, 727 Sailbag, Oxford Handbags, Ugo Wear and Cedar Island Research Center. Other new exhibitors include Marine Tracker at Bass Pro, Rex Marine Center, Dennison Yachting, Snag-A-Slip and Prestige Yacht Sales. Many new exhibitors represent the “lifestyle” or “soft goods” product category within the boating industry.

“This year’s show really has something for every type of boater in Connecticut, from those who fish in our rivers or enjoy skiing on our lakes, to those who cruise or sail the sound, and even those who want to charter a boat,” said Burns. “And, with the expansion of our Lifestyle section on the upper level, even non-boaters will find a variety of nautically inspired products to get them thinking about warmer water activities,” she continued.

Throughout The Hartford Boat Show, visitors will have the opportunity to see the amazing SeaBreacher Killer Whale boat, which actually jumps out of the water and dives back under by nearly ten feet; test their skills at the Virtual Fishing Tournament; take the Blackhawk Fishing Charters Fighting Chair Challenge, attend seminars presented by the Annapolis School of Seamanship, the New London Maritime Society, Three Belles Marina and Black Hawk Fishing Charters; watch paddle board demonstrations in the Paddler’s Paradise Pool, and follow the remote controlled flying fish of Air Swimmers.

Special weekend events include appearances by Shelby Ebert, the Fastest Woman on the Water and Kristen Smoyer the top Pro Ladies Flyboard Athlete in North America; as well as Sunday’s Boats and Brunch. At 21 years old, Ebert is the only professional woman driver to run the entire Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series, and the youngest ever, having won five world championships, with three by the time she was 20.

Tickets for The Hartford Boat Show are now 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 10 is $8. Admission on-site at The Show will be $12. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult are free.

The Hartford Boat Show will be open Thursday, February 9 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.; Friday, February 10 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; and Sunday, February 12 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The ribbon cutting ceremony on opening day is scheduled for 2:30 pm. For seminar schedule details and a full list of exhibitors, visit www.hardfordboatshow.com.