GEORGE WELSH REFLECTS ON `OLD' DAYS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992                   TAG: 9202220110
SECTION: BOAT SHOW                    PAGE: BS-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
GEORGE WELSH REFLECTS ON `OLD' DAYS
HOUSEBOATS: Houseboat sales - new and used - were big business in the '70s. No longer. There are virtually no inquiries about them, and very few companies are making them. People at Smith Mountain Lake would rather own a shoreline home and have a pontoon or runabout boat tied up to their dock.
RUNABOUTS: They have become sleeker, longer and more powerful. In 1975, a 15-or 17-footer was considered a pretty good-sized boat. Now you can't sell a 15-footer. A 17-footer is an entry level boat. For Smith Mountain, a boat just about has to be 19 feet long, and many are 20 and 21. Boats are increasingly larger to afford comfort and safety on a lake that gets plenty rough on weekends due to heavy traffic.
PRICES: Fifteen to 20 years ago, you could find boat show specials going for $2,995. That included a runabout, outboard and trailer. Now you can expect to spend $13,000 to $14,000 for a boat of decent size and power. But you are getting much more for your money.
BASS BOATS: These gadget-laden fishing machines continue to become more sophisticated, more powerful and better built. While the dream of the serious fisherman is a tournament boat, the most popular seller is a fish and ski, which can be used for serious angling as well as family fun.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT: Unheard of 15 to 20 years ago, these Jet Ski type craft are becoming increasingly popular, accounting for a growing percentage of the total number of boats on a lake.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB