PROVIDENCE – Organizers of the Providence Boat Show said preliminary attendance figures for the 2012 event show a rise of more than 3 percent from last year, with the total gate “in the tens of thousands.”

The Providence Boat Show, which ran Jan. 12-15 at the R.I. Convention Center, is the largest winter boat show in southeastern New England and the first show of the year in the New England region, according to organizers. Because of this, it is considered a barometer of where the market stands as the boating season begins and boaters and fishermen start to make their plans for the new year.

Providence Boat Show Director Tom Delotto credited the increase to a greater number of boats being shown, as well as new features at the show, which included do-it-yourself workshops. •