With 150 boats on display this weekend, from inflatables to a $4 million yacht, the market for recreational watercraft seems to be doing more than just staying afloat.
This is the seventh year for the Sunroad Boat Show, which is reportedly the largest in San Diego. And this year, dealers said business has been pretty good.
“We had a wonderful year," said Jeff Brown, dealer for Moody Yachts. "A lot of pent up demand. People were very conservative for many, many years. And I think people are feeling it’s time. Life’s short.”
Brown’s company was debuting a 54-foot, $1.84 million sailing yacht. Dealers said that the pleasure craft industry had been nearly dormant until two years ago, when companies began building again to keep up with rising demand.
Last year had been Brown’s best year since the recession.
“Things were a little dicey," said Jim Behun, show manager. "The last two years things seemed to have transitioned quite well, where there are a lot more people spending money, buying boats, both power and sail.”
Between 12,000 to 14,000 people are expected to attend show’s four-day run, which began Thursday and runs through Sunday. It’s at Sunroad Marina on Harbor Drive.
