Connecticut Boat Show In Norwalk Reports Attendance Increase

A week after the Newport International Boat Show drew inviting weather and solid attendance to Rhode Island, the 2012 Norwalk International Boat Show in neighboring Connecticut continued the encouraging trend.

Amid clear skies and crisp early fall weather, the docks were steady after a slow start on Thursday and overall show attendance increased by 12% this year, according to show manager Jonathan Pritko.

“Beautiful weekend weather and new family attractions drew crowds, and we received positive reports on sales and leads from dealers throughout the show,” Pritko told Soundings Trade Only Today morning. “We also heard many attendees comment on the variety of boats and new yachting products at the show, thanks to a terrific group of exhibitors this year.”

Optimism seemed consistent among the more than 250 exhibitors that displayed hundreds of yachts and boats.

“Interest is up and it has expanded across the whole product line. It’s good to see,” said Greg Idol, a sales rep for Grady-White Boats. “We’re starting to see signs that we haven’t seen since 2008.”

From his perspective, and that of several other dealers at the show, the “payment buyer” has yet to return, but professionals and others who have fared well through the recession are the primary buyers in this market.

Overall, dealers say they’re seeing a clear trend among shoppers.

“Realistically, I think people are tired of not giving themselves a present,” said Dick Budka of Petzold’s Marine Center, which carries the Sabre and Back Cove lines, among others.

Sabre Yachts has been one of the beneficiaries of the changing buyer attitude.

“We’ve been doing OK for about two years now,” Sabre Yachts V.P. of marketing and sales Bentley Collins said. “We’re building 5 or 6 boats a month, with a backlog into June 2013. The worst is over.”

Source: Soundings TradeOnlyToday