Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2013 - 53

photo-courtesy of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

At the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, many boats are on display in the Boat and Fishing Hall. Indoor winter boat shows are a great place to begin your search for a new boat. For more information, visit www.easternsportsshow.com.

photo-Alex Zidock Jr.

Pontoon boats are very popular and are the ideal choice for the family who wants to cruise, water ski, pull tubes, wakeboard and fish. Sleeker designs and better technology mean today’s pontoon boats can be powered with larger outboard motors.

When it’s time to make the purchase, find a boat dealer in your general area that sells the brand that fits your needs the best, and buy your boat at that location. Usually, your local dealer can give you the same or a better deal on a new boat. The biggest consideration when buying from a boat dealer near you is service. Beside warranty issues, boats, motors and trailers must be winterized in Pennsylvania to prevent damage from water and freezing. Unless you are a qualified marine mechanic, the winterization process is best left to the experts. Make boat buying fun. Get the entire family involved, and enjoy the lakes and rivers of Pennsylvania together.

years is that they are versatile and usually cost less than traditional fiberglass boats. While they provide all the creature comforts for smooth sailing and make a great platform for fishing, pontoon boats are now powered with the larger outboards to pull skiers, tubers and even those who want to wakeboard. After you determine how you want to use the boat, think about where you will use your new boat. Will you leave it in a slip at a marina or trailer your boat to a variety of launches? A boat wider than 8 feet, 6 inches needs a special permit to be towed on Pennsylvania highways, and unless you have a large pickup or sport utility vehicle with a trailer package, you may be limited in the size of boat you should consider. Once you have established these primary questions, you can go online and search for makes and models of boats that meet your requirements. But, remember that you are only looking. The next stop is a boat show where you can compare different manufacturers and climb aboard a boat to get the real feel of the boat. Some in-water boat shows allow test drives, and even some marinas that are located on the water have “Demo Days” where you can test drive several different boats.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Boat shows are a wonderful place to experience boating. These shows have their own etiquette, and while most of it is common sense, here are some tips and hints. Boat shows are laid back when it comes to dress. Leave your high heel shoes and wingtips at home. Wear comfortable boat shoes or other shoes that don’t leave black scuffmarks on new boats. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to take your shoes off to board a boat. It’s handy to bring a backpack to carry literature and small items that you buy at the show. It’s best to keep your hands free to hold onto boarding ladders and stairs. Bring the kids, but leave the strollers behind. Boat shows are crowded and usually there’s little space between boats or on docks. Boat shows sell a lot of peripheral boating items, and not all vendors take credit cards, so bring some cash. Boat shows are fun. Leave your frustrations at home so you don’t get upset when crowds move slowly. Wear comfortable clothes. If it’s an outdoor show, remember to check the weather before you go, so you can bring sunscreen or rain gear.

Boat shows

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • January/February 2013

http://www.easternsportsshow.com http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2013

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