Boat Expo making waves

COEUR d’ALENE — Deborah and John Fast moved to North Idaho seeking a lifestyle they saw fading away in their Washington state community. 

“We love the more rugged lifestyle here,” Deborah Fast said of their recent move to Bayview. “We always wanted to live in a harbor town, and this came up and we’re just deliriously happy.” 

The couple was drawn to the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo on Wednesday to look for their next pontoon boat. 

“We’ve had a number of them, and we really like the feeling of what they offer,” Fast said. 

Boating brands on offer at the event include Cruisers Yachts, Cobalt, Chris-Craft, Barletta, Regal, Harris, Malibu, Axis and Coeur Custom.  

Kodie Woodhead, director of marketing for Hagadone Marine Group, said adult attendees from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8 can enter into a boat giveaway for a free Harris pontoon boat.  

“It gets a lot of buzz,” Woodhead said. “They have to come back on the 15th for our big giveaway event. That’s kind of exciting.”  

Debbie Partridge said she and her husband couldn’t stay away from the expo since he sells boat covers and knows many of the major players in the industry.  

“We bought a boat here last year, and I really love looking,” Partridge said. “I can’t wait until Memorial Day when we can get the boat back in the water.” 

The Expo runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at Hagadone Marine Center, 1000 S. Marina Drive, Coeur d’Alene. Free admission with pre-registration at www.cdaboatexpo.com.

    Moses Lake residents Chad and Michelle Fowler talk to Preston Scott of Hagadone Marine Group about what they're looking for in a boat at the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo Wednesday.
  

    A crowd enjoys music on the showroom floor of the Hagadone Marine Center.

    The Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo at Hagadone Marine Center began Jan. 30 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 8. Attendees are able to enter into a Harris pontoon boat giveaway. The winner will be selected Saturday, Feb. 15.