Page 3 - Mid America Boating - May 2023 issue

Boating’s season opener is 3 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] MAY 2023

the biggest ever Catawba show

The Catawba Island Club’s marina will

literally be up to its gunnels when this year’s
record-size Progressive Catawba Island Boat

Show docks up for three days, April 28–30.

According to Michelle Burke, show manager and president of the Lake Erie Marine
Trades Association: “We’re packing boats into every available dock space and, for the
first time ever, we’re using all the available land surrounding the marina basin for nearly
100 accessory displays.”
ow in its 18th year, this event has become the largest spring in-water show anywhere on
the Great Lakes. It features power and sailboats ranging from paddleboards to motor
Nyachts. Many of the largest boats aren’t available for the traditional winter shows so
they’re getting premiere showings here. And, it’s considered a buyer’s market offering a last
chance to get winter sales incentives and promotional packages from manufacturers.
But what began for area dealers as a small spring boat sales event has become a big festi-
val in which boaters come from a wide area to literally celebrate the start of Ohio’s boating

season. “The timing, the unique location and
the features we’ve now added to the overall
event are what reflects the magic of our Ohio
boating lifestyle,” preaches Burke.
esides the fleet and the record acces-
sory exhibits that include about every-
Bthing from marine gear to fashion wear,
Burke has packed the show schedule with
daily special events. Among others, these
include: Seminars on boating; Live musical
performances by artists and groups bringing
in popular Lake Erie Islands music; an area
for kids; a variety of popular food trucks;
special local wine tasting events; samplings
of local craft beers; to name a few.
This show also boasts a unique focus on
sailing with a special emphasis on newcomers desiring to really find out if sailing is right for
them. Called the “Discover Sailing Center,” sailboats manned by licensed captains actually can
take prospective sailors out on the lake. There the would-be sailors will raise sails and take the
helm for a real taste of running before the wind.
But fun and entertainment aside, the stars of the show remain the wide variety of boats that
will be dockside and ready for boarding – and even available for sea trials where applicable. For
example, the largest fleet of fishing machines in the show’s history will be displayed, from hot
new angling-rigged kayaks to triple-engine center consoles, all ready to chase walleye, perch
and smallmouth, or on inland lakes for largemouth, muskies or bluegills.
The Catawba Island Club is located on the northwest side of the Catawba peninsula, off
Northwest Catawba Road in Port Clinton. All show parking areas are marked and show shuttles
are free, courtesy of the Firelands Auto Group.
Show days and hours are: Friday (April 28), 12 noon to 6 pm; Saturday (April 29), 10 am
to 6 pm; and Sunday (April 30), 10 am to 5 pm. General admission is $10 (under age 7 free);
$8 advance discount admission tickets are available only online.
For all show updates, go to: www.catawbaislandboatshow.com MAB