STUART — Vendors and visitors alike were upbeat during the opening day of the 35th annual Stuart Boat Show Friday.
"It seems like the general mood is positive," said Bobby Maione, owner of Stuart Motorsports, who was displaying boats, motorcycles, scooters and other recreational vehicles.
"They've got the election over, the holidays over and they're out looking for fun. And we sell fun," Maione said.
While many visitors were just having fun shopping, others were in the market to buy. Phil Camenisch was out looking for "deals, deals, deals," he said, before setting out to find parts for his boa, which he is renovating.
Bob Klos, who's been to three or four boat shows, said he was searching for a 17- to 19-foot fishing boat to replace his current boat.
Steve and Marcia Clement drove down from where they are visiting in Indialantic to see if they might take a sport fisher back home to Cheboygan, Mich., as a souvenir.
"I want to see this Rampage," said Steve Clement.
Chuck Pickover, owner and vice president of Sun Power CMP Yacht Sales of Tequesta, said he was optimistic for sales of the Rampage 34 with the Volvo Penta (diesel) drive.
"I'm sure there will be some deals inked here, we just haven't seen them yet. But it is only Friday morning," he said.
Rick Allen, founder of Miami-based AllSports Productions Inc, which produces the show, was also optimistic.
"We have about the same amount of exhibitors as last year. There are a lot of people here. And we have Chamber of Commerce weather," he said.
Although gate figures were not available, boat show veterans from drivers to exhibitors estimated the size of the crowd to be about the same as opening day last year, one of the show's best years.
"Last year, our gate was up 12 and one-half percent over the three-day period," said Vera Locke, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, a sponsor.
Allen, who has produced the Stuart Boat Show for 14 years, said the outlook can only be positive.
"Despite the economy, this is full-on boating area and boating is a resilient industry," he said.
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