Call of the water

COEUR d'ALENE — Mike DuBose came to the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo in search of a smaller boat for outings on local lakes.

"I want to just do some fishing by myself," the Coeur d'Alene man said Wednesday.

He has a 12-foot aluminum boat that has served him well, but was "looking for something a little more seaworthy."

DuBose didn't quite find what he was after, but came away impressed.

"I think there are some incredible boats here," he said. "All way out of my price range, but just beautiful boats."

The fourth annual Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo at the Hagadone Marine Center began Wednesday and continues through Monday. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Free tickets are available at the door and at cdaboatexpo.com.

The show features about 70 boats and nine brands, including Cobalt, Malibu, Barletta, Regal and Chris-Craft, spread out over 64,000 square feet of showroom space.

The boating business has been booming since COVID forced the cancellation of indoor activities. Getting on the water with family and friends suddenly became the thing to do.

"It hasn’t stopped," said Cally King, a director of marketing with Hagadone Marine Group and Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises. "The boating industry has just continued to have good momentum."

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, recreational boating is a $170 billion industry.

Last year, it reported $56.7 billion in recreational marine expenditures, which followed "extraordinary demand" in 2021.

"Looking ahead to 2023, early indications point to continued healthy demand with new retail unit sales expected to remain on par with 2022," a press release said.

Craig Brosenne, president of Hagadone Marine Group, said the area's growth combined with many surrounding lakes means more people have taken up boating.

HMG stands ready to take care of them, from inventory to service to storage and financing.

"We have everything to make it worry-free boating," Brosenne said.

HMG has about a 10-year waiting list for slips at its three marinas — Silver Beach, Blackwell Island and The Boardwalk.

When HMG opened its $15 million Quick Launch facility last year, it offered dry boat slips to house 360 boats within a five-story custom racking system.

Three-hundred of those slips were snapped up, while some were held for HMG boat buyers.

"If you're going to do business with us, we want to take care of you," Brosenne said.

This year, the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo is giving away a free pontoon boat valued at nearly $70,000.

The new 2023 Barletta Aria A20QC is 21 feet long and can hold up to eight people.

Any Expo attendee age 18 and older will receive a Golden Ticket on which they can write contact information and leave it in a drop-box at the boat show by 7 p.m. Monday.

The winning ticket will be drawn during a "Pontoon Giveaway" celebration Feb. 11 at the expo showrooms. A winner will be announced at 3:30 p.m. and must be present to win.

The expo offers boats ranging in price from about $100,000 to $1 million, from 20-foot models to a luxurious 38-foot yacht.

Pontoons and wake-surfing boats are especially popular.

"People are loving the pontoons," King said.

The marine manufacturers association estimates two million Americans will attend boat shows between January and March.

"Boat retailers and manufacturers have historically generated between 30-to-50 percent of their annual sales at boat shows," the release said.

King said HMG is expecting about 8,000 visitors and wants the expo to be a great experience.

"You don’t just come, shop and leave," she said.

The expo includes a no-host bar, a pro shop, activities for children, a surf machine and sitting areas with TVs and even a firepit.

It's designed to create a fun, relaxing atmosphere where guests can peruse three sections of showrooms and fulfill their dreams of owning a boat.

"People want to be on the water," King said.

Info: cdaboatexpo.com