Baltimore Boat Show opens

Starts Today: Baltimore Boat Show Brings the Best in Boating

Come for the Great Deals and Stay for the Fun Family Activities

Baltimore, Md. – January 24, 2011 -- It’s that time of year again! The Baltimore Boat Show returns to the Baltimore Convention Center this week, bringing local boaters an opportunity to compare and shop hundreds of different boats while enjoying a day of fun with tons of family-friendly activities. “There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than by heading to the Baltimore Boat Show, where you can check out all of our great deals on boats and accessories,” said show manager Tara Davis. “After you’ve shopped the show, be sure to catch one of our free seminars, meet one of our special guests or enter to win one of our fantastic prizes.” Meet and take photos with our special guests, including: Russell Newberry from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, 2pm–4pm & 6pm–8pm Thursday & Friday and 11am–2pm & 3pm–5pm Saturday & Sunday. Director of Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates for the National Aquarium Institute and Discovery Channel Shark Adviser Andy Dehart, 11am–1pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday. Former Orioles Right Fielder Joe Orsulak, who played 14 seasons in the majors with the Pirates (1983–86), Orioles (1988–1992), New York Mets (1993–95), Florida Marlins (1996) and Montreal Expos (1997), noon–2pm Saturday. SpongeBob Squarepants, 11am–3pm Saturday and Sunday.

Lawrence, Pizer receive boating access award from BoatUS

A snapshot of the “Accessing the Virginia Coast” website by Lisa Lawrence and Margaret Pizer of the Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

GLOUCESTER, Va., January 19, 2011 -- To Virginia’s recreational boaters, sailors and anglers, having access to the water is critical. However, when local communities attempt to increase boat access a range of property issues, regulations, and other hurdles pop up. A new online tool, “Accessing the Virginia Coast” at www.virginiacoastalaccess.net, provides timely, accurate and practical boating access information that can help local governments or individuals grow public boating access across the Commonwealth.

This excellent resource was developed on behalf of the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority by Lisa Lawrence and Margaret Pizer of the Virginia Sea Grant Marine Extension Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). To honor their work in helping communities achieve more boating access, Lawrence and Pizer are recipients of a 2010 BoatUS Recreational Boating Access Award.

BoatUS (Boat Owners Association of The United States) created the award program in 2007 to highlight successes in protecting water access as boaters and communities were losing marina slips, service yards and boat launching areas. The goal is to draw national attention to innovative solutions and share success stories so that others may help to solve their own waterway access challenges.

Corsica River and Ramp Frozen

The title pretty much says it all.

DNR Releases Improved Online Boating Access Guide

Annapolis, Md. (January 15, 2011) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce the launch of its updated Online Boating Access Guide. The web-based guide provides the location of public boating access sites across the state, as well as site-specific details on amenities, parking, directions, and fees. The new site is located at www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/boatramps.asp

“The previously offered data were out of date, and boaters told us they needed more information,” said Lisa Gutierrez, DNR’s Division Director of Boating Services who oversaw the project. “In addition, we wanted to reflect the growing number of non-motorized recreational boaters who wanted information on soft launch sites.”

DNR’s Boating Services Unit worked for almost two years to produce new maps and collect data from local, state and federal partners for the updated site. Boaters planning to use launch sites are encouraged to check the website before planning a trip. While DNR provides the maps, most boat ramps are operated by county departments of parks and recreation. Contact information for these offices is provided on the new website and boaters should contact the counties for information on parking, fees, and permits, which vary.

“This new guide will help supply boaters all over Maryland, and beyond, with the information they need to access and experience Maryland’s waterways and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Bob Gaudette, DNR’s Director of Boating Services.

For more information visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating.

Boat Show Brings Baltimore Warm Thoughts and the Best Deals

Baltimore, MD (January 14, 2011) -- The Baltimore Boat Show coming to the Baltimore Convention Center later this month offers Chesapeake Bay boaters a once-a-year opportunity to shop for the best in boats, gear and accessories. A recent Foresight Research report confirms that boat shows are the only place consumers can compare different boats, models and prices from multiple dealers and view and board the boats – all under one roof.

The Foresight research also finds that:

• For those who attended a boat show, the boat show had the most influence on their decision to buy a boat (57% ranking 4 or 5 on a 5 point scale) versus their experience at a dealership (54%) and the Internet (47%).
• Buyers said boat shows have the most influence during the interest/consideration phase of the purchase process. Boat show attendees often “discover” brands they may not have known about. 
• Nearly six in ten new boat buyers (57%) attended at least one boat show in the 12 months prior to buying their boat.
• Nearly 20% of new boat buyers were first introduced to their dealer at a boat show.

“The Baltimore Boat Show is the most effective and fun way to compare boats and visit with a number of boat dealers all in one place. There’s no better way to get a great deal, while getting up close and personal with some of the region’s best and newest boats,” said show manager Tara Davis. “Whether you’re a long-time or novice boater, spending a day at the show will make sure you’re ready to hit the water just as soon as the boating season starts later this year.”

The recreational boating industry’s leading trade group, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which produces the show, reports that there's pent-up demand for boats and hopes to find buyers come out this year given signs of economic recovery and growth in consumer spending.

The NMMA notes an estimated 66 million Americans who went boating in 2009 increased the time they spent on their boats by four percent, demonstrating boating’s popularity despite the recession. In fact, the NMMA says nearly one million Americans (933,000) bought a powerboat in 2009. Eighty-two percent were pre-owned and 18 percent new versus a normal 72 percent pre-owned indicating people are buying and want to go boating but are choosing what they perceive to be a more value-oriented approach. Manufacturers are responding by offering more value priced new boats in 2011, a number of which can be financed for less than $250 per month and can be found at the show’s Affordability Pavilion.

What’s more, the most recent data from NMMA shows that boating is still big business in the Chesapeake Bay area. The Delmarva area generated $785 million in boat and related sales in 2009 alone and is home to more than 505,000 registered boats.

The Baltimore Boat Show boasts the best in boat shopping, but also offers fun attractions and educational opportunities for boaters of all ages. Visit with Russell Newberry from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, who will be available daily to meet and greet fans. Brush up on your boating and fishing skills with free seminars from the pros at the Annapolis School of Seamanship, Chesapeake Bay Magazine and the Recreational Powerboating Association. For those with a competitive spirit, try your hand at Saturday’s Crab Pickin’ Contest to win great prizes from Crab Shanty or our Nautical Challenge Trivia Competition to win a 2011 Sea Doo GTI 130 jet ski and trailer package valued at $10,000 from Pete’s Cycle Co. All boaters can appreciate the nautical craftsmanship of long-ago days through an extensive display of vintage boats and motors by members of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society.

There’s also plenty to see and do for your youngest boaters, who can join in on the fun by learning their nautical knots, boat navigation and other boating skills through hands-on sessions or interacting with marine life on the Fishmobile. Don’t miss special appearances by SpongeBob Squarepants as well as a visit by special guest marine biologist and Shark Week expert Andy Dehart.

For more information on these features, including seminar schedules and appearance times, as well as a full list of activities at the show, visit www.BaltimoreBoatShow.com.

When:         January 27-30, 2011

                   Thursday and Friday, January 27-28: 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

                   Saturday, January 29: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.  

                   Sunday, January 30: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Where:        Baltimore Convention Center

                   1 West Pratt Street (at Charles Street) 

                   Baltimore, MD 21201

Tickets:       Adults $10 (16 and older)

                   Youth 15 and under are FREE with a paid adult ticket

                   **Advance tickets can be purchased online at BaltimoreBoatShow.com. 

                  

Phone:        212.984.7000

Online:        Visit us online, on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest updates and giveaways.

                  Web:  BaltimoreBoatShow.com

                   Twitter: www.twitter.com/BaltimoreBoatShow

                   Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaltimoreBoatShow

               

Media:         Visit BaltimoreBoatShow.com to sign up for a media badge or contact Christine Pomorski at 202.737-9774 or cpomorski@nmma.org for press materials, photos and interviews.

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About the Baltimore Boat Show

The 57^th annual Baltimore Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.

Choptank Boatworks launches Atkin 22-foot skiff

Denton, MD (January 13, 2011) -- Recently launched from Maryland boatbuilder Choptank Boatworks is a William & John Atkin design based on a Seabright skiff. This 22ft launch is powered by a 25hp Betamarine diesel and is equipped with solid stainless steel hardware. The hull is strip-planked with white cedar on mahogany frames with a marine plywood deck, all sheathed in fiberglass and epoxy. The powerboat will reside in Royal Oak, Maryland.

Established in 2002, Choptank Boatworks specializes in wooden boatbuilding and restoration. Other projects in the boatshop include the restoration of a 41ft Aage Nielsen yawl, the repair of a Flying Dutchman sailboat, and the restoration of a Chuck Paine pocket cruiser.

Owner of Choptank Boatworks, Patrick Mertaugh applies the appropriate traditional and modern methods and materials to every project, practicing skills acquired at the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design and honed during years of experience in the marine industry.

To contact Patrick Mertaugh about your wooden boat project call 410-479-0050, email patrick@choptankboatworks.com, or visit Choptank Boatworks at 10369 River Road, Unit 3, Denton, Maryland 21629. Visit the website www.choptankboatworks.com for project photos and details.

M Yacht Service seeks crew

Annapolis, MD (January 12, 2011) -- M Yacht Services of Annapolis, a large, full-service marine company, is hiring addtional experienced crew in the following fields: marine systems (mechanical and electrical), carpentry, sailboat rigging, fiberglass/gelcoat/painting. The company offers competitive wages and benefits. Applicants must have in-depth knowledge of their trade and must have a clean driving record. Email resumes to admin@myachtservices.net.