| oat expo at Cleveland, The Cleveland Boat Show | | | | Ken Alvey, Executive Director of Lake Erie Marine |
| was a magnificent event, showcasing the boating | | | | Trades Association told that his show was |
| industry's economical strength like never before. | | | | successfully hosted by the area's boat dealers, |
| Evidently, most of the dealers and traders were | | | | who demanded a 10-day show that covered two |
| content with the goods and exciting attractions | | | | weekends. Dreadful weather or even a blizzard |
| the expo had to offer. Boats of all shapes and | | | | could be devastating and was likely at this time of |
| sizes were put on show - whether you like fishing, | | | | year in Cleveland .It would upset the show that |
| sailing, cruising, skiing, wakeboarding, or just going | | | | had only a single weekend to do business, Alvey |
| really, really fast, the Expo has something for you! | | | | said. |
| Conclusively, the exhibition was quite a success. | | | | But Lake Erie anglers had plenty to experience at |
| The show stealer however was the most | | | | the expo with over 1,100 boats, from small |
| attractive boat of the show - the sensational | | | | tenders to large motor yachts, ready to board on |
| Italian 44-foot Mochi Craft from the Ferrette | | | | the show floor. Visitors could even tour a full-size |
| Group, displayed by MarineMax. | | | | nautical chalet, floating homes and do lots of other |
| The show was a great place for prospective | | | | exciting activities. There were the expanded kid |
| buyers to see and buy boats, equipment and | | | | activities to bring the little ones to Capt’n |
| accessories. From fishing to cruising to enjoying | | | | Willie's Pirate Island being both entertained and |
| family vacations, there were boats for every | | | | educated while completing activities at nearby |
| lifestyle, activity and budget. Motor yachts, | | | | booths. Even rewards and assured gifts were |
| kayaks, sailboats; the most up-to-date in engines, | | | | given out to participants, boosting enthusiasm in |
| marine electronics and accessories, too. With no | | | | ways more than one. |
| better time to buy, the 5-day event is your | | | | Other attractions included a nautical flea market |
| once-a-year opportunity to compare makes and | | | | which provided bargain hunters with the |
| models, secure insurance and financing for all your | | | | opportunity to cash in on some fantastic deals |
| boating needs. | | | | when they searched for treasure at this favorite |
| One of the traders, Ted Patrick, of Lake & | | | | Boat Show destination. As expected, the Flea |
| Bay Yacht Sales sold luxury Egg Harbor yachts. | | | | Market sold out quickly. There were on-water |
| "They can cost $1 million and sometimes quite a | | | | two-story condos from Coastal Floating Homes |
| bit more. The customers weren't as concerned | | | | which even though expensive, were soundly built. |
| with the price of fuel as they were with the | | | | Boats in the 16- to 22-foot range abound, with |
| availability of diesel fuel and gasoline", he said. | | | | the high-sided Lund and Starcraft models perfect |
| Sales of undersized boats and private watercraft | | | | for the big waters of Lake Erie were plenty. |
| had been fine, too. The fishermen in the throng | | | | Overall, the Cleveland Boat Show was well |
| were looking at smaller boats and not as powerful | | | | received by traders from all walks of life. |
| but more fuel-efficient outboards. | | | | |