If you were to design the perfect boat show, you’d probably start by having a huge selection of great, new boats. Next, you’d have all those boats in the water ready to be tested because, if you’re going to buy a boat, you want to know how it rides, not just that it looks pretty.
Finally, you wouldn’t want to pay a single cent to attend the show, so you’d make it completely free. What you’d be creating is Connecticut’s best in-water boat show, the Greenwich Boat Show.
Early each spring, the Greenwich Boat Show is held on the Mianus River in Cos Cob, where boaters can easily test new boats on the open waters of Long Island Sound. The show has earned a reputation as being unique among the region’s boat shows because its location and offer of free sea-trials lets boaters try an incredible variety of new boat models. It’s an event where consumers are treated with respect.
Dealers are invited back based on the show’s gentlemen’s agreement: There are no hard sales, no gimmicks, no vendors pushing products. Just a lot of interesting dialogue and a lot of boat rides.
The show features a remarkable selection of boats. Those in the market for luxury, high-end vessels have brands such as Chris Craft, Tiara, Hinckley and Hunt Yachts to consider. Meanwhile, the serious fisherman has a wide variety of fishing boats to choose from, including Edgewater, Scout, Grady White, Pursuit and Tide Water. Family cruising boats are well-represented with favorites like Sea Ray, Monterey, Carolina Cat, Chaparral and three new pontoon brands. With such a large selection and the offer of free sea-trials, it’s no wonder local residents and boaters from throughout the Northeast consistently praise the Greenwich Boat Show as being among their favorite shows.
This year’s show will be held on April 12 & 13th, and promises an even wider array of dealers, boat lines and a large selection of family and luxury vessels. More than 30 of the finest brands for fishing, luxury, power, sport and cruiser boats will be showcased. Show organizers recommend attendees visit the show’s website in advance to schedule sea-trials. They can do so by visiting the Greenwich Boat Show website or contact Karen Piscitelli at 203-661-4033 or [email protected].