It’s that season again… boat show season! Or should I say boat buying season? Either way, you’re sure to be in for a good time. With that being said, you’re going to want to strategize and plan accordingly to get the most out of these events.

Here are some winning tips.

Boat Show Goals

Before you hit the show, first know what you want to do there. Are you looking to actually buy a new boat or are you looking for cool new accessories such as emergency equipment, fenders or tenders? Perhaps you’re simply planning on having a fun weekend with your family while browsing around to see what’s new. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to nail down your goals so that you can plan out your day(s) at the show. Reading, printing and bringing a copy of the show guide with you is a good first step.

You can review who’s advertising and what products exhibitors are promoting. Then find where the exhibitors you want to visit will be located so you can prioritize where to go first.

You can find plenty of information on show websites too. This is where you’ll find parking and lodging options, maps, pre-purchase ticket discounts and more.

Know Your Preferences

If you are in the market for a new boat, you’ll want to ask yourself some serious questions before attending the show. Bounce some ideas around with your family and friends concerning how you plan to use your new vessel.

Do you want a brand-new boat or a pre-owned one? How about custom built? Do you know your top brands and models? What kind of boat are you looking for? Do you want a fishing or entertainment boat? High-end or entry-level? Pontoon or deck boat?

It can seem like a lot, but these are some questions you’re going to need answers to before stepping into the boat-buying arena.

Don’t be afraid to do some research to narrow down what you’re looking for. Then don’t forget to get some feedback from the people with whom you’ll be using the boat the most. You’ll find their input valuable as well.

Dress For Success

No, it’s not a fashion show, but believe it or not there is a wrong thing to wear to a boat show when it comes to shoes. I’ve personally made the mistake of wearing laced shoes and that ended up eating quite a bit of my time.

Seasoned boat show goers know that you want a pair of shoes that are comfortable as well as easy to slip off. You’ll be taking your shoes on and off all day in order to board and view high-end boats and vessels.

Then there’s all the different walking surfaces involved in attending boat shows which usually include streets, docks, access stairs to boats, ramps, concrete floors, parking lots and more. So your easy-off shoes also need to be comfortable while allowing you to navigate these different terrains.

And ladies, before you reach for that pair of super cute heels, remember that boat shows often have spaces between boats and docks that could easily trip you up. So opt for the more utilitarian pair of flats or wedges to save yourself some trouble. It also doesn’t hurt to bring an extra pair of shoes if you want something dressier for the evening events.

Then there’s the matter of the sun. If it’s an outdoor show, that usually means sunscreen, sunglasses and hats. You don’t want to develop a headache from squinting through the sunshine all day, so grab your favorite pair of sunglasses and hat. And you definitely don’t want to come home with a painful sunburn. Fortunately, sunscreen comes in all kinds of options these days like travel size tubes and easy roll-on sticks. These can fit easily in your pocket or your purse.

Bring The Essentials

Speaking of purses, you’re probably going to want to bring some kind of tote or bag. Show sponsors often offer free plastic totes to carry all your info and pamphlets in. While these work for some people, you might find those plastic handles get a little uncomfortable after a while. Plus, those bags all look alike so someone could easily mistake yours for theirs and vice versa.

For this reason, you might want to bring your own bag to lug around all the cool show hand-outs and knickknacks you’ll inevitably acquire throughout the day.

Another essential you’ll want to bring is water. Trekking around a boat show all day long is thirsty work, especially if it’s outdoors. Keep a little water bottle handy so you can have a sip when you feel like it.

One of the last things you won’t want to forget is your checkbook or favorite credit card because you may very well find exactly the boat that fits all your needs. Plus, some manufacturers offer boat show specials and you’re not going to want to miss out on a sweet deal if you find your dream boat. Buying at the show can also mean your boat is available sooner which means hitting the water sooner to show off your new pontoon or deck boat.

Did You See It All?

After you hit all the main booths you planned to visit, it never hurts to continue exploring areas of the show that weren’t originally high on your priority list. You never know, you could find some hidden gems you’d never even considered.

Don’t be afraid to take photos either. Boat shows have so many fun products and amazing boats on display at every turn and it can be overwhelming. Take some photos so you can remember what things most impressed you so you can go back and look them up later.

And most importantly don’t forget to have fun. Boat shows are a blast, so go ahead and have a fantastic time. Who knows? You might just end up buying a new boat!