Orlando Boat Show floats into Central Florida with 400 boats
Boaters of all backgrounds and interests will congregate at the Orange County Convention Center this weekend as the Orlando Boat Show floats into Central Florida once again.
Experienced and prospective watercraft enthusiasts can browse a selection of 400 boats from more than 80 manufacturers at the event Aug. 18-20. While a variety of vessels and on-site seminars are dedicated to fishing, the sport only captures one segment of a large industry.
“We have boats designed for wake surfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing and the water sports segment. Then there’s more relaxing stuff like pontoon boats,” said Cathy Case, executive director of the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida. “There’s a wide variety of boats to fit any lifestyle and any budget at the Orlando Boat Show.”
A 2023 National Marine Manufacturers Association study of recreational boating revealed a 36 percent increase in annual economic activity — from $170 billion in 2018 to $230 billion in 2023 — showing a huge pandemic-inspired surge of interest in boating.
Case grew up boating with her family and is now passing the tradition on to her grandchildren.
“My father was an avid fisherman and had his own boat. We went to our fishing cabin that we went to every summer,” she said. “I take my grandkids fishing now, trying to pass that on. It’s a good feeling being outdoors on the water and taking in nature.”
The Orlando Boat Show also features a trout pond for young visitors, a saltwater fishing simulator, caricature drawings and shows from Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel. Young visitors ages 5-15 can learn from Captain Don Dingman, who appeared on the TV show “Hook the Future,” and receive a free rod and reel while supplies last.
The Orlando Boat Show can serve as a casual outing for the whole family to explore, but serious boat buyers can take advantage of purchasing perks at the event.
“There are extra incentives during the show for extended warranties, service packages and accessories,” Case said. “You get to see all the different boats side by side. It’s all in one place; the experts are there for questions.”
If you go
The Orlando Boat Show runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 18-19 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 20 at 9800 International Drive in Orlando. Tickets are $10 per person; children ages 12 and younger enter for free. Convention center parking is $20 with cashless pay only. For more information and tickets, visit orlandoboatshow.com.
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