Nashville Boat Show

Posted on January 14th, 2008 by Karen

What can one get for $8 dollars? We got an entire afternoon of adventure climbing about lavish yachts to viewing a cooler full of enormous catfish. We talked to Pro Bass Fisherman, Eddie Scott. We meet the owner of Birdsong Resort which is the home of North America’s only Freshwater Pearl Farm. We signed up for boating classes with Music City Power Squadron. A host of fishing courses were offered (although we did not attend). We entered all types of contests for free vacation giveaways and more. And we even practiced running in coil heeled shoes by Z Coil.

Talk about something for everyone, we meet new boaters, experienced boaters, fishermen, hunters, country singers, boat racers, sailors, and of course the salesmen all of whom were willing to offer free advice on the type of boat my husband and I should purchase. With all the luxury and speed, the glitz and the shine off all the fancy new gadgets we were ready to sign on the dotted line. Fortunately we resisted, for many of these boat cost triple what our house is worth!

What appealed to us most at the boat show is the fact that the “Green Evolution” is in full force among boaters and manufacturers alike. We learned that most new engines today are faster, more fuel efficient, and quieter. IPS system by Volvo has been popular in Europe for the past ten years and has just been brought to the US last year. Emissions are way down, and most engine manufacturers are already meeting the requirements placed on them by the EPA. As a matter of fact there is a bit of an engineering war going on to see who is going to exceed those expectations the most.

All in all the benefits of attending this or any boat show are endless. First of all, it just fun to go and dream … picturing yourself with the wind in your hair, the sea at your feet, and not a care in the world. But if you are a more serious attendee searching for great deals, there are numerous vendors and sales reps ready to bargain with you. Most of all, the boat show is an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Both big and little kids can explore the life size jungle gym at their fingertips. So next time a boat show sails into your town, go have fun for the day!