Beat the Winter Blues at A Boat or Sports Show

Beat the Winter Blues at A Boat or Sports Show

For those unable to jet off to warmer climates, dreaming about the sun, sand and surf may be the only way to make it through the long winter months. But for boat and outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a surefire way to cure the winter blues: boat and sports shows.

U.S. boat and boating-related retail purchases totaled $30 billion in 2003 and this figure is growing quickly. Seventy-two million people participate in recreational boating, more than the combined total of those who play golf or tennis, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Each year, the NMMA holds boat shows from coast to coast that are open to the public. At these shows, experienced boaters and newcomers alike find a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where experts are on hand to offer unbiased advice.

“Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or someone who’s never been on a boat, we want you to come in here and feel the excitement of boating,” said Steve Tadd, director of NMMA’s Discover Boating program. “Boating is something you can get into at any point in your life. So whether you’re 8...