Annual Providence Boat Show slated for February

AT A recent Providence Boat Show, an attendee, left, speaks to a company representative about a motorboat, the 2012 Larson LX2150. / COURTESY ERIN MCGINN
AT A recent Providence Boat Show, an attendee, left, speaks to a company representative about a motorboat, the 2012 Larson LX2150. / COURTESY ERIN MCGINN

PROVIDENCE – The 23rd annual Providence Boat Show will be held Feb. 4-7 at the R.I. Convention Center.
Presented by The Washington Trust Co., the boat show, billed as one of the largest indoor boat shows in New England, will feature new special-interest areas, more seminars and a tie-in to a Hollywood film.
Citing data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association said that new boat sales climbed 8.5 percent in 2014, and that 2015 third-quarter sales rose 10.5 percent over the prior-year period.
“The Providence Boat Show is a great place for boat buyers to talk to dealers and brokers and make their decisions early in the season – and now that we have expanded to four days, there is plenty of opportunity to get one-on-one time with an expert,” Wendy Mackie, CEO of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, which owns and manages the show, said in a statement. “But we cater to all kinds of boaters: those who simply want to fish from shore, or kayak, or charter a boat, or even those who have never stepped foot on a boat before. There is truly something for everyone.”
The show will feature an indoor pool filled with model boats. There also will be kayak and paddle-board demonstrations with East Coast Paddle Sports. Students from Chariho Career & Technical Center and Warwick Area Career & Technical Center will construct a boat at the “Youth Boat Build” sponsored by Jamestown Distributors.
Other highlights:

  • On Feb. 7, New England author Michael Tougias, who co-wrote the book on which the film “The Finest Hours” is based, will discuss the story about a Coast Guard rescue at sea.
  • Sea-to-table demonstrations with local chefs. Each chef will prepare a favorite dish using local fish. Participating restaurants include Simone’s (Warren), Simpatico Jamestown, Malt (Newport) and Blaze Village Kitchen (Pawtucket). Showgoers will learn how to filet a large game fish.
  • Thanks to the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, showgoers can take an exam to earn their Certificate of Boating Safety Education during the show. A special premium (paid) seminar for “Women on the Water” takes place on Feb. 6.

A new Providence Boat Show app, which has been designed to help showgoers get the most out of their visit to the show, will launch Jan. 22.

In addition to Washington Trust, sponsors include Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism, Bitter End Yacht Club, North Rip Boats, Coastal Angler Magazine, Helly Hansen and Keel Vodka.
Adult one-day tickets are $12; children 12 and under are free. Special multi-day and family ticket packages are available online.

For details on the show, hours and to purchase tickets, visit providenceboatshow.com.

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