20,000 Newport Boat Show visitors mean business

LIDO MARINA VILLAGE — The 34th annual Newport Boat Show on display more than $100 million in boats and is the biggest in-water show of its kind. The 20,000 people it attracts translates into a boost for some local businesses. But at least one is happy when the weekend is through.

Cruising around looking at the 300 motorboats on display at the largest in-water boat show of its kind can stir up quite an appetite, and local restaurants are there to satisfy.

Tables were packed at the Lido Village restaurants, including Camelot and Le Bistro, which both have outdoor seating with panoramic views of the show.

But business is not as usual at Lido Village Books during the weekend show.

“From what I hear, the clothing stores and definitely the restaurants do quite well,” said bookstore owner Dan Schmenk. “My business is cut in half — they’re not here to buy books.”

The interesting phenomenon Schmenk has noticed, however, is that during sailboat events and shows, his business does pick up. But for some reason, during motorboat shows like the Newport Boat Show, the only products that seem to sell steadily are magazines.

For Gary and Patti Spellman’s business, World Estate and Antique Jewelry, the boat show doesn’t necessarily bring people in, but it’s a nice change to see a slew of people walking around Lido Marina Village.

“People are boat-crazy, thinking about boats. It hasn’t brought a lot of business, but it has brought in a few people,” Patti Spellman said. “It is nice to see people out there though.”

Other businesses take the show’s presence as an opportunity to promote their business.

Bob DiTullio and Rod Graham of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sat outside enjoying the sunny day, handing out bottles of water and brochures to passersby.

“We’ve had a fair amount of people out,” DiTullio said. “We think it’s great.”

Raj Parfumerie owner Sudhir Sutaria said he puts many of his sunglasses and perfumes on sale during the show, which he said makes a noticeable difference in sales.

The fair weather Saturday was a marked difference from Friday’s rain and ominous skies, which boat show spokesman Don Franken said not many people were willing to brave.

The show is important to local yacht brokerages, who said the sheer number of people who check out their boats helps spur business later.

Newport Beach-based Ardell Yacht and Ship Brokers had eight yachts on display that ranged in price from $495,000 to almost $1.9 million.

Broker Bill Solt said that although they hope to sell boats during the weekend, usually the serious buyers go to the show to get a good look at what’s available.

“What normally happens is people come to look at all the different models and will select a half a dozen or three or four boats that they liked, then they’ll come after the show and really get the details,” Solt said from aboard a $495,000 boat.

The other advantage buyers have at the show is that many of the lenders offer specials for the weekend.

Buying a boat is much like buying a house — ideally people would put down 20% and then work out a monthly payment schedule with the lender.

The 34th Annual Newport Boat Show wraps up today. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine.

For more information, go to www.newportinwaterboat show.com.