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Crowds filled the aisles of the Detroit Boat Show at Cobo Center, which wrapped up last weekend, interested in the new technology in boats, new model introductions and looking to buy a boat before spring, which appears to be coming early this year. An additional 1,606 people attended the show in 2017 over last year, increasing attendance 3% to 69,169.

 

 “The 2017 Detroit Boat Show was record setting for Grand Pointe Marina,” said Chris Stevens of Grande Pointe Marina in Sterling Heights and Lansing. “From small fishing boats to large center consoles, sport boats, and sport yachts, we crushed our personal sales goals and nearly tripled our results from previous years.”

 

 2016 was the sixth consecutive growth year for new boat, engines, trailer and accessory sales nationwide, and in Michigan, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Sales are expected to rise again in 2017 and 2018.  The Detroit Boat Show also grew in 2017, adding 50,000 square feet sold for a total of 400,000 square feet.  “Along with our bigger footprint came bigger boats,” said Nicki Polan, show manager.  “We had twice as many cruisers on the floor this year as compared to last year.”

 

 “Attendance certainly appeared to be up over last year and, more importantly, our show sales increased substantially. We are looking forward to an early spring and double digit sales gains this season,” said Mike Tusa of Mike’s Marine Supply in St. Clair Shores.

 

 “It is fun to meet people that have the same passion about boating as we do. Our sales were good again this year and that makes Cobo the best boat show of the year,” said Mark Munger of Bee’s Sports in St. Johns.

 Studies have shown dealers can attribute nearly half of their annual income to the sales and leads generated at the Detroit Boat Show, which is among the largest in the country based on size, attendance and sales. The special edition, 60^th anniversary of the Detroit Boat Show will be held at Cobo Center February 17-25, 2018. The Detroit Boat Show is produced by the Michigan Boating Industries Association, a state-wide marine trade association representing Michigan’s $7.4 billion boating industry. For more information on the Detroit Boat Show, go to detroitboatshow.net.  For more information about MBIA go to www.mbia.org.