Boat enthusiasts gather at Suncoast Boat Show

By Ian Swaby
| 11:00 a.m. April 22, 2024

Ed Kolodzieski of Longboat Key company Ultra-Marine enjoyed showcasing what he said are the first Zodiac Nomads, a lightweight boat with an electric motor, in the United States.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Ed and Amanda Wilds may have flown from Texas just to visit the Suncoast Boat Show, but they were not disappointed.

The show is advertised as the Gulf Coast’s premier boat show, and according to the Wilds and other attendees, there was a reason behind its reputation.

Attendee Dani Dumi said he comes to the show, now in its 42nd year, each year with his friends due to its accessibility, calling the scene “gorgeous.”

He hopes that one day, they’ll be driving off in a boat.

Presented by Boat Owners Warehouse, the show took place April 19-21 at Marina Jack, along 65,000 square feet of dock space.

It featured boats both in water and on land, and also included vendors with other related products and the Kids Fishing Clinics to keep younger guests entertained.

“What we like about the show is how friendly all of the people here are," said Michael Sparks, stating it was a top-notch experience in comparison to other boat shows. “We go to the shows in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. We go to them all."

Sparks called the vendors and event staff polite and observant of guests' needs, praising aspects of the event including the ease of parking, and the presentation and different styles of boats.

“The variety of boats here is very important,” he said.

Carlye Crabtree and Yamen Elsaid walk along the dock.

Artist Tricia Bolds showcases resin cutting boards to Amanda Batt and Anthony Flinn.

Lisa Kleinberg and Ira Azneer stroll through the boat show.

The boat show was set up in the harbor off Bayfront Park.

Madison Brinker, 12, Jeff Brinker and Matthew Brinker, 11, look at the art on display.

Sofia Marshall, 2, and Victor Marshall get a view of the boat show from an upper deck.

Leonardo Gonzalez, Noah Ortega, 3 and Geraldine Marquez walk through the boat show, with Noah carrying his pole from the fishing clinic.

Madison Fox of Galati Yacht sales talks with Dani Dumi

The show offered attendees the chance to explore a variety of yachts.

Reagan Stanley, 12, takes a look through a pair of binoculars.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.