ALL ABOARD!
LOREN BENOIT/Press Scott Gookstetter, right, helps Coeur d’Alene resident Peter Durso shop for a pontoon boat Wednesday at the inaugural Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo. The expo is happening now through Sunday at the Hagadone Marine Center.
James and Wendy Wynd look at a Malibu boat in one of the showrooms at the Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo Wednesday at the Hagadone Marine Center. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
LOREN BENOIT/Press Thousands of dollars are knocked off manufacturer’s suggested retail prices, such as a Malibu 25 LSV originally priced at $195,616 marked down to $141,994 at the inaugural Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo.
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Sitting in a cushy new Regal 33 Express cruiser with eyes closed, it's easy to imagine the sound of the waves lapping at the sides of the boat and the sensation of fresh lake air rushing through the cabin.
At the Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo, every boat offers a unique adventure for the imagination — adventures that could easily become reality.
"It’s like a hidden gem," expo guest Henry Roberts said Wednesday morning. "You’d never expect in the middle of the winter, snowing outside, and in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, you walk into this building and see all these amazing boats."
Roberts, who just graduated from the University of Washington and played on the Huskies football team, now lives in Hawaii but is presently staying in the Inland Northwest. He's pretty sure he's going to buy a boat.
"I had to call my dad right when I got here when I saw some of these prices,” he said, beaming over the prospect of a new wakesurfing boat. "I’d buy them all if I could."
The inaugural Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo is happening now through Sunday at the Hagadone Marine Center, 1000 S. Marina Drive.
Visitors are invited to climb aboard and peruse the inventory as they enjoy massive discounts only offered during this special event. Thousands of dollars are knocked off manufacturer's suggested retail prices, such as a Malibu 25 LSV originally priced at $195,616 marked down to $141,994, or a sweet new Cobalt down from $76,290 to $54,995.
“Initially we came out peeking for a used boat, but we are interested in buying a boat this summer," said Wendy Wynd, who strolled through the showrooms with husband James. "I think the inventory is great."
“We’re kite-surfers, wind-surfers, so we go to the (Columbia River) Gorge all the time. That’s been our water play, and we’ve had jet boats as rescue boats, and that’s what we’ve always done," James said. "Now our family has pontoon boats, MasterCraft, an old woody, all these fancy boats, and we’re out in our little jet boat. So they go miles, and when we go miles, coming back, it’s rough, so we sold it last year."
“We just wanted something that was more user-friendly for the family,” Wendy added.
Peter Durso of Coeur d'Alene said he's also looking for something on the relaxation and luxury side.
“We just bought a house on the river. We need a boat now,” he said, smiling. "We’re not adrenaline junkies. We have older parents. It's more for the cruising and barbecuing and relaxing. It’s slower pace; that’s what we’re looking for."
Will he be returning to the expo to purchase the perfect pontoon?
"It depends on what my wife says about buying a boat," he wisely answered.
Hagadone Marine Group President Craig Brosenne said the official kick-off for the expo was a success, and he expects the weekend to be even bigger.
“VIP night was Saturday night, and we had 450 guests,” he said. "I don’t think anywhere in the country you can get 450 guests at a boat dealership in February. All three of these buildings were packed with people. You couldn’t see a boat that didn’t have people in it, so that’s a good start.”
The Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
This free, family-friendly event will also include an indoor kids surf competition on Friday and doughnuts and mimosas for guests on Sunday.
Info: www.cdaboatexpo.com