Mid-Atlantic Boat Show returns to Charlotte

The biggest boat show to hit the region each year returns this week. The Mid-Atlantic Boat Show is back for its 44th year.

Here are some basics for anyone wanting to check out the event:

When is the show?

The Mid-Atlantic runs noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 11-12, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 13 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St., Charlotte. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors or military, $5 for ages 6 to 12. Early discounts are available at midatlanticboatshow.com.

Who will be there?

The 2016 show brings more than 120 boat dealers and exhibitors from nine states. Locals include Boat Sales of Lake Wylie, Hall Marine Group (Lake Wylie Marina) and Dock Masters from Lake Wylie. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Power Squadron and the Lake Wylie Marine Commission come from Charlotte.

Harbortowne Marina in Belmont will be there, along with Commodore Yacht Club and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary from Rock Hill. Tega Cay Marina and Lake Escape Outfitters from Tega Cay join Cabela’s and Crosswinds Insurance Agency from Fort Mill.

What’s new?

The Miss Geico racing team will be on display at the 2016 show. The 50-foot offshore racing catamaran and crew will be around all four days. For more, visit missgeicoracing.com. Also, SpongeBob and Patrick will be there 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 13 to take pictures with children.

What are they saying?

“We will have a booth in the show again this year and invite people to stop by and look at dock designs that we are currently using to make docks more user friendly for current lake conditions. We will be passing along promotions that are issued to us from our suppliers for the show.” - Perry Johnston, Dock Masters owner.

“We have big news. Bayliner has appointed us a new dealer for 2016. We will be announcing it at the show. Bayliner has been a integral part of the Lake Wylie boating community since the early 1980s. There has been no Bayliner dealer on lake Wylie since 2007.” - Vic Winebarger, Boat Sales of Lake Wylie owner.

What will people see?

Boats of all sizes will be present. Cruisers and sport yachts at 30 feet and longer will be there. Family boats, bowriders and sport boats to runabouts, will be there from 16 to 32 feet long. More than 100 pontoons in different shapes and sizes will be on display. Show organizers expect the largest selection of personal watercraft of any show in its history.

Pre-season discounts on 2016 models will be available from many dealers.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 10:13 PM with the headline "Mid-Atlantic Boat Show returns to Charlotte."