What you can expect at the upcoming Grand Strand boat show and expo in Myrtle Beach

With a robust economy in place, the time may be right to consider purchasing a boat, and the place is at the Grand Strand Boat and Sportsman Expo next weekend at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

The expo annually displays a wide variety of boats and boating accessories under one roof, along with increasingly popular kayaks, and the incentives are in place to save the buyer money and time by purchasing during the event.

“If you’re in the market for a boat, there’s not a better place to come to see them all than at a boat show,” said expo coordinator Kevin Bennett on Thursday. “The reps for the companies are there, the motor reps are there, and if you’ve got questions, you can get them answered. It’s all under one roof and you don’t have to go 15 different places.

“They offer incentives, so you’re going to get a better deal. Most manufacturers send a rep in to work with their dealers.”

Bennett said the event will feature 13 regional boat dealers from Charleston to Wilmington, N.C. to inland areas, along with more than 50 fishing and boating-related vendors.

“We’ve got pleasure, fishing, ski, pontoon boats, everything from a small 13-14 foot jon boat to a 42-foot offshore fishing machine,” said Bennett. “There’s something for everybody - every budget, every need.”

Bennett is impressed with the amenities offered in the new boats, on two boat styles in particular.

“The pontoon guys are wide open, these guys what they’re offering is really on the cutting edge,” said Bennett. “They’ve got about everything you can see on boats now. Bathrooms, all kind of electronic options, upper decks with sliding boards. The amenities on pontoons have really stepped up. It rivals anything out there.

“The aluminum boat line - we used to call them jon boats, but now you’re seeing 22- to 24-foot boats that are rivaling the nice bass boats. They’re putting just about every option on aluminum boats that you can get on a boat. There’s a huge market for that.”

The expo also stages a superb schedule of seminars all three days of the event that are always well-attended. The seminars feature local captains with great local knowledge who are willing to share their expertise.

Seminar Schedule

Friday, Jan. 10

11 a.m.: U.S. Power Squadron, Safe Boating Basics

Noon: Capt. Mike Eady, Kayak Fishing the Lowcountry

1:30: Capt. Mike McDonald, Inshore Fishing Carolina Style

3 p.m.: Capt. Lucas Goodwin, Techniques for Carolina Kings

Saturday, Jan. 11

10:30 a.m.: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Safe Boating Basics

Noon: Capt. Mike Eady, Kayak Fishing Techniques

1:30: Capt. Mike McDonald, Inshore Fishing Carolina Style

3 p.m.: Capt. Lucas Goodwin, The King Mackerel Master

4:30 p.m.: Capt. Mike McDonald, Throwing Cast Nets for Bait

Sunday, Jan. 12

11 a.m.: Wesco Trailers, Trailer Towing Techniques and Safety

Noon: Capt. Mike Eady, Kayak Fishing the Back Waters

1:30 p.m.: Capt. Mike McDonald, Inshore Fishing with Capt. Mike

3 p.m.: Throwing Cast Nets and Slinging Kings

Boat Show Info

▪ What: 37th annual Grand Strand Boat and Sportsman Expo

▪ When: Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Jan. 11, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

▪ Where: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 North Oak St., Myrtle Beach

▪ Admission: Adults $9; Seniors (65 and Older) $8; Children (under 12) $5; Children under 3 admitted free