You've been checking out the fall boat show schedule and have plans to attend a few in your state.
You've been checking out the fall boat show schedule and have plans to attend a few in your state. While you're certainly excited about looking at all of the boat models and features, there might be another big benefit to attending these boat shows that you haven't really given much thought to. Do you want to know what that one big benefit is? Bet you do, but consider these hints first and then see if you can guess the benefit before you reach the end of this post.
Collecting Advice at Boat Shows
If you go to a boat show, you'll have the chance to ask experienced boaters about the advantages of different boat features. Wondering if it's worth investing in an additional live well? What about fishing boat models that offer extra wide casting decks? Who better to ask when it comes to an unbiased opinion than other experienced boaters? Don't forget to include some time in your boat show schedule for listening to opinions and advice from fellow boaters.
Building Relationships
You'll be able to build relationships with representatives from marine electronic companies, engine manufacturers, canvas companies, marine upholstery companies, and many other boating-related companies. These relationships can come in handy if you need a quick tutorial on how to use certain electronic navigation chart features, for example, or if you're wondering what products you should use to clean your boat upholstery.
Learning About Boating Safety and Other Programs
You can learn about new boating and fishing programs by talking to boat show exhibitors. For example, you can learn about the Wear It! campaign from the National Safe Boating Council which promotes boating and safety by encouraging boaters to wear life jackets, or the TrophyCatch Program (an incentive-based conservation program designed for anglers who catch-and-release largemouth bass heavier than eight pounds, in the state of Florida).
Big Benefit of Boat Shows
After considering the points above, have you been able to guess what the important benefit is? The answer is NETWORKING. Don't forget to add networking to your boat show schedule. If you're new to boating, you can use our boat comparison tool to learn about the different types of boats you may see at a boat show.
