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Boats Of All Sizes, Prices On Display At St. Pete Show

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Vendors prepare for the opening of the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail show. The show runs today through Sunday.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2008

Updated: 12/04/2008 02:23 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - With the Pier as a looming backdrop and good-size sailing ships steaming in and out of the nearby marina, hull scrubbers and deck moppers polished up the boats on display this morning.

There are more than 500 boats on land and sea at the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Strictly Sail, promoter Dane Graziano said. Some are as cheap as $8,000, trailer included. Others aren't so inexpensive.

The priciest vessel is a 75-foot Hatteras luxury yacht that costs more than $4 million, Graziano said.

While the economy has hit the market for smaller boats, under 28 feet, he said, it's business as usual for the big boats.

"The bigger boats are selling," he said. "People want to enjoy a boat. People still want that dream to come true, to own your own boat."

Some 25,000 boat enthusiasts and sailors from around the state are expected to attend the annual boat show, said to be among the top 10 in the nation. The show runs today through Sunday at the Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park.

The exhibit, expanded to include power boats this year from its past sailboats-only format, is billed as the largest boat show in the Gulf Coast.

In June, the show's promoters announced the merger of two longstanding boat shows into one "super show." The result: powerboats alongside sailing vessels.

The expanded venue adds scores of sailboats docked at custom-built floating docks to the more than 200 power boats. There will be cruisers, yachts, fishing boats, sailboats, sports boats, runabouts and personal watercraft.

The show includes a sailboat display and seminars for sailors and powerboaters.

More than 200 vendors will display and sell the latest in marine gear, charter destinations, engines, electronics, nautical clothing and other technology for seafarers.

For children, there will be fishing clinics and giveaways of fishing rods and reels.

An introduction to sailing allows novices to take in a 30-minute sail with an experienced skipper.

And for those who are in the market to buy a boat, this is a good time, as dealers are willing to cut prices to make sales, Graziano said. "They are looking to clear out the inventory and to keep their people working," he said.

The show is open until 6 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $8 online and $10 at the gate. Prices for ages 6 to 15 are $3 online and $5 at the gate. Admission is free for ages 5 and younger.

For information and tickets, go to www.strictlysail.com and follow the link to the St. Petersburg show. Online users can scan photos of the boats and make viewing appointments.

Tucked amid the sprawling yachts this morning, Gregg Beaudette took time to climb onto the deck of his 20-foot-long boat to shine up a corner. He had taken off his shoes so he wouldn't scratch the mahogany deck with maple inlaid slats. The boat is a replica of a 1940s-era Chris Craft that has people checking out much larger boats stopping and gawking.

"She rides just incredibly," Beaudette said.

Beam Custom is the company that makes the vessel. Beaudette said it's a family operation in Michigan that makes about 15 of these boats a year, one at a time. Each costs about $60,000, trailer and cover included.

"They are made with lots of love."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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