Monthly Archives: March 2019

The promoter of the Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show believes his show will make waves in the boating community when it opens Friday for a three-day race at the Metropolitan Park and Marina.

“We had a great time planning this year and believe the show will be of high quality and family friendly,” said Jacqui Bomar, President and Owner of JBM & Associates.

Last year, Bomar and his staff based in Greenville, South Carolina had just four months to plan the show after getting the city contract. Despite the short turnaround time and bad weather that cut short the final day, the show was considered a success by Bomar, dealers and vendors as 5,500 people attended the outdoor show.

“We have planned a great all-weather show this year,” Bomar said. “The Afloat Boat Show is a family-oriented event and I expect a quality audience to accompany the quality show.”

Once again, JBM & Associés has planned many activities for boating enthusiasts and their family members.

Bomar and his team invited Jax4Kids to create a children’s zone, with bouncy houses, face painting, games and gifts. For young anglers, Captain Don Dingman of “Hook the Future” will return, hosting two Kids’ Fishing Seminars on Saturday and Sunday. Each child who participates will receive a free rod and reel as well as other greats. price.

Adults can have fun too. Fishing experts from all over Florida come to lead fishing seminars for adults.

The event will also feature popular food trucks and live music from Big Jeff the Entertainer, Dean Winters and Larry Yancey.

There will be over 50 brands of boats in the water and on land to discover, including personal watercraft, skiffs, motor boats, cruisers, ski boats and yachts.

“There will be more boats in the water this year than last year,” said Bomar.

You don’t have to be looking for a new boat to take advantage of this event.

The Freedom Boat Club will bring something more to the Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show this year. Visitors are welcome to participate in virtual reality boating, as the members-only yacht club will have their 70-foot barge moored at the marina. There, staff members will demonstrate their new way of presenting boating with ease.

“We are excited to deploy this state-of-the-art way of experiencing freedom on the water,” said Lisa Almeida, co-owner of Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville. “We invite everyone to get on the houseboat, strap on a virtual reality headset and see how much fun it is to be a member of the Freedom Boat Club.”

Freedom Boat Club’s virtual reality will take people on a virtual boat ride. The user can operate the boat as if they were actually on board in our local waterways. They can also take a tour of each of the Freedom Boat Club boats, including deck boats, bowriders, center consoles, pontoon boats, bay boats, and flatboats. VR boating was created locally by Freedom Boat Club member Twenty20 Creative.

In addition to virtual reality boating, the Freedom Boat Club will also offer free rides on the Freedom Boat Hut, a floating tiki bar. Visitors can sign up for free boat rides at the Freedom Boat Club tent. Freedom Boat Club is a supplier sponsor of the Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show.

Like last year, the show will be sponsored by Yamaha, a manufacturer of marine products, including boats and outboard motors.

Connor Megan, Yamaha Regional Marketing Coordinator, said Tuesday: “We are looking forward to sponsoring the show for a second year. It gives us a unique opportunity to let people see and feel our product.

Yamaha will be giving hats to the first 100 people attending the show every day.

Rusty Gardner, co-owner of Jacksonville Marine on Fleming Island, said the afloat boat show will have some great brands to show, including his own.

“The Chris-Craft Launch 28 GT bowrider is a new model that you don’t see very often,” Gardner said. “The Bennington Pontoon QX will be there too, which is more of your typical pontoon.”

People can get a first glimpse of all the boats when the doors open on Friday at noon and stay open until 6:00 p.m. Weekend hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets range from $ 5 to $ 10 and can be purchased at jacksonvilleinwaterboatshow.com.

About JBM & Associés

JBM & Associates is a company of women who have been producing boat shows across the country for over 18 years. They focus on the needs of customers, exhibitors and suppliers to create experiences, not just events.

In addition to the Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show, JBM & Associates also produces the Charleston Boat Show, the Savannah Boat Show, the Charleston In-Water Boat Show, and the Wilmington Boat Show. For more information, visit jbmshows.com.

Jean Biasotti: (904) 359-4097

Show at a glance

When: Friday April 5, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday April 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday April 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Metropolitan Park and Marina, 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd.

Admission: Adults $ 10; seniors $ 8; military (with ID) $ 5; children aged 4 to 12 $ 5; free for children 3 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at jacksonvilleinwaterboatshow.com.

Highlights: Yamaha returns as the main sponsor of the event, with over 50 different boat brands on site, from personal watercraft to yachts. The best local fishing guides will lead fishing seminars for adults. Don Digman of “Hook the Future” will teach children to fish like adults. The Freedom Boat Hut at the Freedom Boat Club offers free boat rides on the floating tiki bar. Food trucks on site, and live music.

Seminar schedule: Saturday – 11 am, Captain Chris Rooney: Deep sea bottom fishing; 12:30 p.m., Tim Altman: high speed trolling for Wahoo; 2:00 p.m., Chris Rooney and Dennis Young: Sea Trolling and Rigging Bait; 3:30 p.m., Tony Eden: Cobia Seminar. Sunday – 11 a.m., Captain Chris Rooney: offshore bottom fishing; 12:30 p.m., Tim Altman: high speed trolling for Wahoo; 2 p.m., Chris Rooney and Dennis Young: Sea trolling and rigging bait.

Hook the Future Children’s Clinic Hours: Saturday, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Each child who participates will receive a free rod and reel as well as other great prizes from Captain Don Dingman.

More information: Visit jacksonvilleinwaterboatshow.com.