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The latest from Tiara Yachts on display from Hampton Watercraft & Marine at this week’s New York Boat Show. (Photo credit: Times Review Media)

With the frigid temperatures this past week, hopping in your pontoon for breezy ride in the bay or Sound isn’t exactly the first thing on your mind. But at this week’s New York Boat Show at the Jacob Javitz Center in Manhattan, Hamptons and North Fork boat purveyors got a glimpse of the upcoming season — and to say hello to some friendly faces and perhaps greet some new East End wave-running enthusiasts.

Ryan Strong (right) of Strong’s Marine was on hand at the New York Boat Show. “We’re thrilled to see many of our loyal customers stopping by and sharing their excitement for the season,” says Ally Stacy, marketing manager for Strongs.

“To me, I like seeing customers at the Boat Show. Lots of second homeowners [on the North Fork and in the Hamptons] come to say hello,” says Craig Goldsmith of Goldsmith’s Boat Shop in Southold, who, along with his brother Glenn, are the third generation to run the 102 year eponymous business. “We’re a small family-owned business. We don’t live or die by the sale. For me, being an owner, it’s more about seeing and greeting the people.” 

But of course, it’s a lot of people. The Boat Show attracts over 7,000 attendees daily, looking to check out the latest and greatest in seaworthy vessels and equipment, which makes it an excellent place to take the temperature for the upcoming season. 

What did our local boat purveyors learn? It’s looking like life on the water this spring, summer (and fall) are going to be a great ride.

“The temperate in the room was buoyant – there were a lot of very serious potential buyers who came in, all knowing what they wanted,” says Yvonne Lieblein, co-owner and general manager of Port of Egypt Marine in Southold, who have been the largest Grady White dealer since the boat dealer and marina opened in 1946. “We do a boaters’ survey annually right before the boat show. It goes out to 4,000 people in our database plus our social media followers. From that as well as my time at the show this year, and that of my sales staff, we’re very optimistic. The people we’ve seen are valuing what a boat is – it’s a vacation every time you step onto it.” 

Over 7,000 attendees a day brave the winter cold on the West Side of Manhattan to hit up the New York Boat Show and dream of warmer days on the water. (Photo credit: Times Review Media)

One of the outcroppings of the pandemic, of course, was the embracing of activities that can be done outside the home (pickleball, anyone?). While certain things may have been a flash in the pan, boating has remained strong on the East End. 

“The Boston Whaler team sold three already as of today,” says Tony Villareale of Hamptons Watercraft and Marine of the new Boston Whaler 33 Vantage, the latest hot ticket from the company Hamptons Watercraft handles as their exclusive New York dealer. Villareal also noted that topping off last year, the Hampton Bays-based company, with facilities on the Shinnecock Canal, Moriches Bay and Hampton Bays, finished the season with a flurry of sales. “I anticipate that’s the climate going into the new year.” 

Of course, weather is a big question mark for anyone in the boat biz, but with the season starting earlier and ending later, there’s lots of room for sunny days on the waves. 

“Our boat slips are full and we took on more storage this year, which makes me optimistic for a good season,” says Goldsmith.

Lieblein agrees.

“There was a very festive enthusiastic energy [at the Boat Show]. People were in a good headspace and it was a lot of fun,” she says. “It’s really an exciting time. The days are getting longer! And there’s something about that longer amount of daylight and the New York Boat Show – it means boating season is right around corner!”

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