|
Hot-Springs-AR-Info Home Hot Blogs Main
By D. Clay Hays Yea! I got a chance to go to the 2009 Hot Springs Boat Show and drool. It still seems odd, going as a spectator, as I used to work these things every year. Sometimes it was sales and sometimes it was set-up which, by the way, is some kind of feat! Just take a look at some of the images below and soon you too will be wondering "How the heck did they get all those boats in there?" The annual trade show, always held at the Hot Springs Convention Center, is a much anticipated event for boating enthusiasts in Hot Springs & Central Arkansas. Saturday was a cloudy, rainy day which is not necessarily a bad thing for boat show attendance. Ask anyone with experience working these shows and they'll tell you "Rain is good, Snow is even better!" Who knows why?  After Summit Arena was added, the Hot Springs Convention Center became a much better place for this show. They slide open the wall between the arena and convention halls to make one big mongo area for displays. You can see the arena's blue bleachers in the image below, and the next image shows just how many boats and campers they manage to get in there.   The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission's mobile fish tank is always a big hit. It's got one or two of just about everything you'll find in Arkansas waters including catfish and bass of various types, gar, crappie and even turtles.  Then there's the rods, reels and tackle area where great deals can be had on such things. I know a lot of fishermen who save up all year long, skip the boats and go straight to this spot!  I'm not much for fishing personally, so the slam-dandy Sea Ray below from Power Boats was the show stealer for me. Sweet boat, absolutely beautiful! You know what they say though, "If you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it." I knew better than to ask.   Lots of different boat types sell well in this area but pontoon boats are king! This Playcraft from Ken's Marine is the ultimate "play" pontoon. But... I'd have to give the "mack-daddy" pontoon award to this monstrous 36 foot Sun Tracker from Bradford Marine.  
"Speak of the Devil", there's ol'K.B. himself (Knox Bradford) in the maroon shirt, and that thing on the tripod to the right is the infamous "Bradford Bell". They ring that thing every time they make a sale, drives all the other dealers nuts! I have rung the bell myself while employed by the Bradfords. While in the employ of other dealers in town, however, I hated that darn bell too! A conversation with Lev Bradford reveals the coming of a new breed of Sea Doo. He could only show me the video (too bad Bombardier couldn't have had one ready for the show!) but it is clearly a highly advanced watercraft. It boasts two "firsts" for watercraft; a full suspension system and an on-water braking system. Plus, they've given them a "slow-speed" setting so you can actually go through a no wake zone at an appropriate speed. It's about time!  I spoke to show promoter Kelly Griffey of the Griffey Agency, who said attendance was good and the dealers were doing well. She always says that, but I did hear the bell ring and saw some deals being written up.  Even if you're not in the market for a new boat, the Hot Springs Boat Show is a great place to kill some time with the family. This young lady liked that boat so much her Daddy was having to coax her out of the thing! Sorry Camper & RV people, I didn't intend to leave you out! Boats are my thing but this show also has something for you as it is actually called the Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV Show. Lots of folks were stepping out of the really nice campers all starry-eyed!  I had my sights set on discovering what new boating innovations had been introduced but the dealers said "mostly just new colors" and, of course, "Bold New Graphics!". No hybrids, no electric models? Oh well, there's always next year! Until then...........Clay If you'd like to comment on this post please use the Contact form.
|
Not Much New At 2009 Hot Springs Boat Show
