THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502050152
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
A record fleet of more than 250 boats will drop anchor at the Virginia Beach Pavilion on Saturday for the 42nd Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show.
``This is a real `selling' show,'' said director John Taylor, who estimated that attendance would top 25,000 by the time the show concludes on Feb. 19. ``Most dealers use it to kick off their sales year, and they do it by offering some pretty decent savings through boat-show specials.''
The boats will range from a 37-footer down to 8-foot inflatables and dinghys. Most marine dealers between Richmond and Northeastern North Carolina will be represented.
The fleet will consist largely of powerboats and fishing craft between 17 and 25 feet, Taylor said.
``These have always been the boats which sell best in this area,'' he said. ``Certainly a big factor is that we have so many fishing opportunities around here, with the Chesapeake Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.''
Taylor said about 25 boats will be exhibited outside the Pavilion, located at the east end of the Virginia BeachNorfolk Expressway.
Only about three sailboats will be displayed, Taylor said.
``That's unfortunate. But they just haven't been selling very well in Hampton Roads for the past few years,'' he said.
The show will feature most major lines of outboard engines, as well as numerous inboard power plants, including diesels. In addition, displays will include marine hardware, electronics, accessories, marinas, fishing tackle, nautical gifts and boat-insurance and boat-financing firms.
Several fishing clubs, both freshwater and saltwater, will staff booths with local experts willing to share their knowledge and techniques. Other public-service booths will include the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Game Wardens, National Ocean Survey, Federal Communications Commission and Virginia Clean Water Commission.
Another interesting feature will be a nautical flea market, where used boating gear will be offered by firms and individuals.
For the first time in several years, the show will not be in conjunction with the annual Sportfishing Forum, staged by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. That all-day forum, usually held on the show's opening day, instead will be held in March, in association with the Sportfishing Show at Rockwell Hall on Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. That show is staged by the Atlantic Coast Conservation Association.
Boat-show hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both Saturdays; noon to 7 p.m. both Sundays; and 6 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays. Admission will be $5 for adults, $2 for those age 12 and under.
The show is sponsored by The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star and the Izaak Walton League of Norfolk/Chesapeake. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
FILE
Powerboats and fishing craft between 17 and 25 feet will predominate
at the Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show.
by CNB