Looking For An Ice-Breaker People Head For The Boat Show To Escape The Clutches Of Winter, Dream Of Warmer Times

Forget the freeze. Think of boats and sunshine.

Vendors at the Spokane National Boat Show hope people dreaming of warmer days stop by this weekend to lust over gleaming boats, water skis and WaveRunners.

“Everybody gets cabin fever. It’s nice to come see something related to sunshine and fun,” said Paul Nielsen, a salesman for Trudeau’s Sea Ray Marina in Spokane.

“There’s aluminum fishing boats and 37-foot cruisers and everything in between.”

The 41st annual show at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds began Wednesday and runs through Sunday. Today, the show begins at noon.

Some of those browsing Thursday sought refuge from the Arctic cold.

“I thought it might help to think of more positive weather,” said Donna Taylor, 57, of Coeur d’Alene.

She and her husband, Jack, said they already own a 20-foot boat but wanted to see newer models.

One of the higher-priced offerings is the 37-foot Sea Ray Sundancer, which is officially considered a small yacht. It comes complete with two televisions and video cassette recorders, a compact disc system, coffee maker, bathroom with shower, and two bedrooms - one with a queen-size bed. “It’s an apartment, basically,” Nielsen said.

Sundancer comes with a boat show sale price of $176,973, marked down from $217,000.

For boat fanciers on a more modest budget, there were plenty of other vessels to choose from, including pontoons, jet boats and aluminum fishing boats.

Greg Forsyth, president of Spokane’s River City Marina, said most people want a boat 16 to 20 feet long that they can use for cruising, water-skiing and fishing.

“They want to be able to use it in as many ways as they can with their family,” he said.

One of River City’s most popular boats - the Bayliner 2050 Capri - lists for $13,499.

“That’s boat, motor, trailer - everything you need,” Forsyth said.

Pontoon boats are also hot sellers because they’re relatively inexpensive for boats that can carry a bunch of people. For example, a pontoon capable of carrying 12 runs about $10,000, Nielsen said.

“It’s kind of like your island in the sun,” he said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo