Boatloads of boats
Chris and Aubrey Stovern of Kellogg check out the boat displays at the third annual Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo on Wednesday at the Hagadone Marine Center in Coeur d'Alene. The expo runs daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Feb. 5. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Hagadone Marine Center employee Leah Cook demonstrates the surf stimulator at the Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo on Wednesday. The expo runs through Feb. 5 at the marine center. A surf stimulator contest for the kids is on Feb. 12. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Mike and Vickie Linch of Priest River check out boats at the Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo at the Hagadone Marine Center on Wednesday. HANNAH NEFF/Press
J. Ashley and her grandson check out a boat at the Hagadone Marine Center on Wednesday during the third annual Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo. HANNAH NEFF/Press
The third annual Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Feb. 5 at the Hagadone Marine Center. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Kathy and Mike of Tri-Cities, Wash., check out boats on Wednesday at the third annual Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo at the Hagadone Marine Center. The expo runs through Feb. 5. HANNAH NEFF/Press
COEUR d’ALENE — Loads of boats are on display at the Hagadone Marine Center during the third annual Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo put on by the Hagadone Marine Group.
“We’ve been boating for years, so this is what you do when you can’t get on the water,” said Aubrey Stovern of Kellogg. “When you can’t go boating then you just look at boats.”
Aubrey and Chris Stovern came to check out the indoor three building display on Wednesday morning.
“We were blown away,” Aubrey Stovern said. “They have done an amazing job making their showrooms beautiful for everybody. Their selection of boats is awesome.”
The expo features a wider selection than before with leading brands including Regal, Cobalt, Malibu, Axis, Chris-Craft, Harris, Barletta, Cruisers Yachts, Coeur Custom and more.
“There’s just nothing like being out on the water,” Aubrey Stovern said. “It’s always a great time.”
Included at the event is a cash bar, kids zone, fire pit, and other additions to set the atmosphere.
“I’ve been in the boat business forever,” said Bob Holloway, director of sales. “There’s no other dealership that first off has the resources or the space to keep all this indoors, keep it heated and make it fun.”
Holloway said the surf simulator is a popular attraction during the show.
“There’ll be a line of people to do it,” Holloway said.
On Feb. 12, the surf stimulator will be used in a contest for kids, sponsored by Liquid Force. The contest will take place at the marine center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a DJ, snacks, games and more. Registration is required at cdaboatexpo.com.
Complimentary “Hello, Sugar!” doughnuts and mimosas are served on Sunday morning of the expo from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Mike and Kathy, visitors from Tri-Cities, Wash., said they were staying at The Coeur d’Alene Resort and the boat show was a bonus.
“It’s cool,” Mike said. “They’ve made a real commitment to boating in Coeur d’Alene.”
Kathy said they bring their boat over every winter after the season is over to have it winterized.
As their family grew with now six grandkids, Kathy said the boat keeps them busy in the summer.
“We actually bought our boat that we have now from these guys,” Mike said. “This is our third boat. They keep getting bigger.”
Admission to the expo is free but registration is required at cdaboatexpo.com. The event runs daily through Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Face masks are recommended, but not required. Boats will be thoroughly sanitized between tours.
