2007 SWVBDA Boat Show

The Southwest Virginia Boat Dealers’ Association Show sails into the Roanoke Civic Center Feb. 23-25

                Ahoy, mates! Once again the Southwest Virginia Boat Dealers’ Association Show will sail into Roanoke at the Civic Center Feb. 23-25. As always, it’s a great way for Lakers to browse what’s new for the coming season.

                The show will again be a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Not to worry: it’s not at all uncommon for Boat Show weekend to be blessed with light-jacket weather that’s a harbinger of pleasant boating days to come.

                So what should curious or in-the-market boaters expect to find new at this year’s show?

                “Nine area boat dealers will display a combined total of more than 300 watercraft — from canoes to PWCs to luxurious day cruisers,” said area Dealer Association President Virgil Naff. “Plus, there’ll be the latest in boating accessories and water recreation gear, with knowledgeable people ready to help you make the most of your time on the water.”

                Mike Ratcliff of Conrad Bros. Marine summarized the hot trends in boat design and equipment: “Deck boats, which provide lots of passenger and storage capacity on a runabout-like planing hull, will remain very popular in 2007,” he said. “They are good platforms for cruising, entertaining, fishing and towing tubers or skiers — truly multi-purpose craft. Powered by a hefty outboard or IO, they’ll get you around the Lake in good order — comfortably, quietly and fuel-efficiently. And each year, they get more luxurious.” 

                While general-purpose boats are perfect for some families, others seek specialization.

                “Manufacturers are making boats designed for wakeboarding and wake surfing, with built-in ballast, high-end stereo systems and lots of the ‘bling’ that appeals to avid boarders,” Ratcliff said.

                Eager fishermen remain a strong market segment that manufacturers are appealing to with electronics.

                “Technology has come to fishing,” Ratcliff noted. “Big-screen color fish finders — some with 3-D imaging — are popular.” Highly-capable GPS systems linked to digitally-controlled trolling motors with hand-held remotes help captains find and work the exact spot they want.

                Some fish finders even use data cards containing detail on perhaps 200 lakes and streams in a chosen region. Data from SML’s recent bottom mapping project has been incorporated into some of these cards, providing an incredibly accurate picture of bottom conditions. 

                High-tech electronics are also making their way into boat engine compartments.  “It began with EFI — Electronic Fuel Injection — which monitors fuel/air mixture hundreds of times a second,” said Ratcliff. Why is that good? “Engines start instantly with no priming or pumping, and changing spark plugs is a thing of the past.”

                Ratcliff cited a customer who ran 1,500 hours on original plugs with no sign of performance loss. And should problems occur, the engine’s internal computer guides technicians to exactly what’s ailing and why.

                Another handy innovation: Quick-drain systems such as Mercruiser’s “Single Point Drainage.” V-8 engines so equipped can be run on balmy winter days and then “re-winterized” by opening a single drain plug. After-market, quick-drain systems are also available for about $750, installed.

                Personal watercraft lovers will also find plenty to drool about at this year’s show. Paul Monroe, Webster Marine’s PWC specialist, said shoppers can expect to see brighter, more visible colors as manufacturers pay more attention to rider safety. SeaDoo will offer a supercharged, intercooled version of their 1503cc 3-cylinder engine, boosting it to 215 hp. That engine option will also be offered on the Wake Edition – perfect for pulling up late-in-life (and thus perhaps heavier?) boarders. Also at the show will be Kawasaki’s new Jet Ski boasting a 250 hp supercharged Kawasaki marine engine in a newly-designed extra deep V hull for superior ride quality.

                Whatever your boating pleasure, you’re sure to find what you need at this year’s SWVBDA show. And be sure to stop by the Laker magazine booth and tell us what you’d like to see in this summer’s issues. We’ll be there listening.

                Show hours are Friday 1-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The SML Sail and Power Squadron will offer a Boating Safety Course on Saturday, right in the Convention Center. Call 540.297.1222 to register.