Show boats getting bigger

Bigger boats. Bigger crowds. Bigger selection. Expect pretty much more of everything at the Newport Beach Boat Show opening next week.

The boat show, now in its 34th year, has seen a major growth spurt in recent years.

Founded by Newport Beach resident Duncan McIntosh — publisher of the Sea and Go Boating magazines and the Log newspapers — the show opens Wednesday at the Lido Marina Village with more boats than ever on display. With 320 boats, visitors have an opportunity to view a variety of vessels in their intended habitat, the water.

Family-owned Allison Marine, based in Costa Mesa, plans to display six boats, a number of which come from the rugged Rampage line of fishing boats. The newest addition to the collection, a Rampage 45-foot convertible, will have its West Coast premiere at the show. With twin 1,000-horsepower engines and a 700-gallon gas tank, this boat hauls but is also capable of covering long distances, staff member Fernando Garduno said.

Most boats in its class do not have the full capacity for that range, Garduno said. “You can go from here to Cabo in that boat,” on just one tank of gas, he said.

Incorporating teak and holly flooring, a 45-inch flat screen television, a washer and dryer, and a central vacuuming system into the design, this is the fishing boat every wife wants to own as well, Garduno said.

A number of yachts easily exceeding 100-feet in length will be on display this year. “We’ve never had so many big boats in the show before,” show spokesman Don Franken said.

Boat dealers, like Garduno and Compass Point Yachts owner Bill King will be available to answer questions from serious buyers as well as the occasional dock shoppers.

Most of the boats are for sale, and those interested in large crafts will get a chance to check out a slew of models making their debuts at the show, including Compass Point’s new Maritimo Offshore.

With “fully enclosed, walk-around decks, an outdoor island barbecue and beautifully styled timber and stainless steel stairwell” the luxury yacht built by Australian Bill Barry Cotter has his “fingerprints all over them,” King said.

“It’s got some excellent features like a large engine room, three state room…. For a 48-foot boot that is unique — normally only two rooms fit on that size of a boat. They did a nice job in the layout,” King said.

The boats may garner a number of offers at the show, but most will not go home with a new owner until the next week. King said most potential buyers prefer to go on a sea trial and test it out before they make their decisions.

The show kicks off at noon Wednesday and goes till 7 p.m. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12, children 12 and under get in free.

Free parking and continuous free shuttle service will be provided from the Newport Tech Center, 500 Superior Ave. For more information call (949) 757-5959 or go to www.newportinwaterboatshow.com.