Get on board at the Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Emerald Coast Boat & Lifestyle Show highlights the area's waterfront opportunities — from boating and beach cycling to fishing and fitness, kayaking and paddleboarding.

"The footprint of the show has expanded due to the popularity," said Chris Miller, president of Wheels Up Events, who began setting up at Aaron Bessant Park on Monday. "There will be in excess of $40 million (of marine inventory) and 250 plus boats on site. It's the right time to buy, and the venue sets up perfectly for it."

From Friday through Sunday, March 15-17, Aaron Bessant Park will be a sea of boats, personal watercraft, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, as well as bicycles, fitness products and outdoor gear. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, "Red Carpet Opening Day," 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, "Ladies Day," and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, "Military Appreciation Day." Gourmet food trucks, as well as craft beer from Grayton Beer Co., also will be set up throughout the weekend. Adjacent to Pier Park, attendees can continue waterfront shopping and dining after the show.

Presented by Visit Panama City Beach and Pirate's Cove Marina, the land-based show promises to be the biggest ever with the best deals. Sponsor partners also include Factory Direct Furniture; Red Alert Diving; The Morgan Law Group, P.A.; Surterra Wellness and Elite Financial International.

"Hands-on" boat displays from manufacturers and dealers will represent the newest models, high-tech engines, electronics and marine accessories. Boats, in a variety of price points, range from entry level bow riders to the popular next generation 42-foot center consoles with quad outboards. A2Z Recovering Auto/Marine Upholstery can help you restore or upgrade the boat you own.

Marine Max of Panama City Beach will feature nearly 60 boats on display — from the Boston Whaler 13SPT and Grady-White 180FSM to the Harris Flotebot, Nauticstar and Sea Ray. Legendary Marine of Panama City Beach will showcase 50 different models at the Legendary Marine Booth, from the new Everglades 435CC with Quad Yamaha 425 XTO to varieties of Scout, Sea Hunt, Pursuit, Regal, Cobalt, Chris Craft, Barletta and Crest boats. Sunrise Marine of Panama City Beach will showcase models of Cape Horn, Robalo, Chaparral, and Bennington boats. Wefing's Marine will have Bluewater, Twin Vee, Sea Pro, and Abaco Skiff on display, while Gulf Coast Boating Centers will feature Cobia, Sportsman, Starcraft and Sylvan.

Greg Orr Marine of Destin will have the Southport 33 Family Edition, Regulator models, Century, Sea Born, Sundance, and Bentley boats on display, while Emerald Coast Marine will feature the Crevalle, Sea Pro, Crownline, Blackfin, Billistic, Hurricane, Aqua Patio, and Sweetwater.

Adventure Marina will include Sailfish, Tidewater, Carolina Bay and Express Proline. Captain's Choice Boats include Sunsation, Wellcraft/Scarab, Four Winns, Clearwater, SeaFox Commander and SeaFox Traveler. Grander Marine, on board for the first time this year, will have boats including Blackwood, Shearwater, Invincible, Fountain CC, NX Fountain, GT Donzai, and Misty Harbor. Gulf Marine will display the Caroline Skiff, Sea Chaser and Starcraft, while Harts Marine features the Key West, G3, and SunCatcher. Bluewater Bay Yachts will feature Piranha Boats.

Also, check out marine dealer and brokerage booths from Bluewater Bay Yachts, Captain's Choice Boats, Continental Powerboats LLC, Gulf Coast Yacht Group, Gulf Marine Inc., Harts Marine and Outdoors, Panama City Cycles, Waylen Bay Yacht Sales, and Xtreme Boats.

But boats are just one aspect of coastal living by the beach. Locals and visitors can check out stand-up paddleboards, fishing kayaks, outdoor kitchens, diving gear, beach cruising bicycles, electric street legal carts, motorcycles, and luxury automobiles.

Panama City Cycles will be on the lawn with motorcycles and jet skis. See Yamaha Sport Boats, plus Yamaha Wave Runner personal watercraft, Sea Doo personal watercraft, and Club Car golf carts.

Exhibitors include longtime participant Half Hitch and BOTE Boards — perfect for paddlefishing. Florida Watersports will have kayaks and fishing tackle, and Larry Rackley, who will be displaying his coastal artwork.

Also, see exhibitors 13 Hub Lane LLC, Allstate-Brown Insurance Agency, Alpha Foundations, Arti-Vividae Boutique, Capt. Anderson's Marina, Coastal Conservation Association of Panama City, Chuck Byrd Aviation, Daiwa, Diver's Den, Electric Cart Co., Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Freedom Boat Club, Jet Boat Pilot, Jypsea Soul, Mackey Dock, Master's Supply Company LLC, Panama City Fishing Club, Pedego 30A, Porsche of Destin, Sea Tow, SOCO Swings, Solstice Sunglasses, Swift Knot, The Dock Shop, Tow Boat Us, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Wyndham Emerald Coast, and YOLO Stand Up Paddleboards and Bikes. 

What: Peruse boats, stand up paddle boards, fishing kayaks, electric street-legal carts, diving, coastal fashion, motorcycles, luxury automobiles, beach cruising bicycles, gourmet food truck catering and more at event to benefit Miracle Strip Jr. Woman's Club

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday ('Locals Day') through Sunday, March 15-17

Where: Aaron Bessant Park, 600 Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach

Tickets: $10 per day adults, or $20 for three-day pass; free for ages 12 and younger; $8 per day for active or retired military with ID

Details: GulfBoatShow.com or Facebook.com/emeraldcoastboatandlifestyleshow/

EMERALD COAST BOAT AND LIFESTYLE SHOW

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