© ctspringboatshow.com
The Connecticut Spring Boat Show will be held Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5 at Essex Island Marina, a Safe Harbor Marina, located at 11 Ferry Street in Essex, CT. This in-water “boutique” show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and is sponsored by Essex Island Marina, the Yacht Brokers Association of America, Essex Boat Works, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, and YachtWorld. As in previous years, 100% of attendee gate proceeds will go to Sails Up 4 Cancer.
“Boaters from all over New England down to New York get excited to visit the Connecticut Spring Boat Show to experience the wide selection of power and sailboats,” said Tom Pilkington, owner of Prestige Yacht Sales. “The venue makes it easy to hop aboard and spend time chatting with knowledgeable brokers in a relaxed and fun environment. Due to changes in Connecticut tax law, which lower the sales tax on boat purchases from 6.35% to 2.99% in 2019, we anticipate a growing interest in this boutique show.”
“Safe Harbor Marinas is proud to sponsor this event annually,” said Doug Domenie, the company’s Northeast Central Regional Vice President. “It is truly unique because of our beautiful, family friendly venue in the historic waterfront village of Essex. No other show, boutique or otherwise, has a setting like ours and the SHM team really take pride in hosting it.” Essex Island Marina is located on a 13-acre private island on the Connecticut River, accessed by a complementary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200 feet. Over 30 land-based nautical exhibitors are expected to grace the dockside lawns on the island, along with more than 70 boats in the water.
A wide range of the newest boats on the market including center consoles, fishing boats, luxury cruisers, sailboats and select brokerage boats will be on display, and sea trials will be available. Boating gear, accessories, waterfront real estate and “water lifestyle” service companies will also be on site.
Over 2,500 visitors are anticipated, parking is free, and a $5 donation is requested for attendees 13 and older. All proceeds from admission will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer, a Mystic, CT-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research along the Shoreline and Southeastern regions of Connecticut. To learn more, visit SU4C.org.
“We are really proud to have raised over $10,000 last year for Sails Up 4 Cancer,” said Ben Cesare, Publisher of WindCheck. “This year, with the help of sponsor Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, we hope to double that! They will again bring their riverboat Becky Thatcher to provide food and beverages during the event, and host a cocktail cruise to benefit the charity.”
Show hours are 1:00 to 6:00 pm Friday, May 3, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. For more information, log onto ctspringboatshow.com. For dealer and vendor application information, please contact Ben Cesare at ben@windcheckmagazine.com.
