Used Pontoon Boats

Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats-Pontoon Parts along with news and views from the boating industry. Here is a report from the Louisville Boat, RV & Sport Show.

The economy may be bad, but that’s not going to stop Dana Alford of Highview from dreaming of summers spent relaxing on a plush, leather-clad boat.

“The middle class can’t afford this stuff,” she said after stepping off a boat priced in the $30,000 range. “Our boat is not nearly this plush, but it’s a boat and we love it.”

Many shoppers and dreamers filled the Kentucky Exposition Center yesterday during the first day of the annual Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow. The show ends next Sunday. But the general sentiment was that they’re not going to be buyers this year.

The south wing of the center was crammed with pontoons, campers and other outdoors equipment, which vendors are hoping will sell despite the bad economy that has forced most Americans to cut back on their spending.

“We’ve had some pretty good prospects,” said Megan Damron, a representative of Hilltop Marine in Bronston, Ky. “Right now is a time for buying — from cars to boats to houses. This year has been a little bit slow, but from the looks of the show, it’s probably going to pick up.”

Tammy Boston lounged on a shiny pontoon boat on display, imagining how nice it would be to take her two granddaughters on one this summer. “We come every year, just looking for pontoon boats and stuff,” she said, leaning forward in the leather seat. “If we could find a good price this year, we would buy one.”

The show is a bit different this year, she added, with fewer vendors and a smaller showroom. The exhibit, in its 52nd year, has more than 400,000 square feet of showroom space, according to a press release. It also includes a new feature, “international houseboat fest,” a 55,000-square-foot display that offers information on the best in houseboats, which are especially popular on Lake Cumberland.

There are also dog stunt shows and activities and presentations on fishing, among other things. The event is a good way to see what’s new in the boat world, said John Steinmetz of Shepherdsville. “I think a lot of people, with the economy, are going to be window-shopping and dreaming,” he said. “I work for myself, and I know what the economy is doing because my phone is not ringing.”

For Cindy and Chris White of Fern Creek, going to the show is a family tradition. Each year, they check out the campers, but so far they haven’t taken the plunge. “Eventually, we’ll end up with one,” Cindy White said while touring a camper with a kitchen and seating area. “Probably not this year.” Used Pontoon Boats thanks; Reporter Andrea Uhde for this; Crowds hit boat show, but many are just looking | courier-journal | The Courier-Journal

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