Arkansas Sportsman

Boats, bucks highlight outdoor show season

Boats and bucks will be the top draws in central Arkansas on Jan. 23-25 when the Marine Expo and the Big Buck Classic come to Little Rock.

Anglers and recreational boaters who are in the market for a new rig will be able to inspect all kinds of boats Friday through Sunday at the 33rd Arkansas Marine Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center.

"If it floats, it's going to be in the show," said Ken Griffey, the expo's chief promoter.

Griffey said there will be no better time this year to buy than now.

"It's the first show of the year and dealers are eager to move some inventory," Griffey said. "Plus, you'll have all of the state's major dealers right there under one roof, so they'll be very competitive to make the best deals."

To that end, manufacturers have added discounts, incentives and rebates that dealers can pass to consumers. Buyers will get the best prices of the year now while the weather is cold and interest in boating is low.

"They'll even keep it, shrink-wrap it, store it and deliver it in April when you're ready to hit the water," Griffey said.

Lenders also will be on hand so buyers can secure financing on the spot.

Recent years have been tough on the boating industry, Griffey said, because the tight economy dried up disposable income for many consumers. With the economy on the mend, and with lower fuel prices expected to last through and beyond summer, Griffey said the boating industry is rejuvenated.

"One of their big trade publications had a big headline recently that said, 'We're back!' " Griffey said. "You're already seeing a turnaround in the auto industry. People are buying SUVs and full-size pickups again. The boating industry is positioned to catch that wave, too."

Griffey said savvy buyers go to the Expo on Friday because the crowd is sparse. Dealers will have more time to visit with prospective buyers and explain the products in greater detail. Consumers do their homework on site, decide which boat to buy and then return later to make the deal. You don't have to pay extra to come back, either.

"We're not going to double-dip you," Griffey said. "Your ticket is good for the entire Expo."

Don't leave anything to chance, Griffey added. Make sure you know exactly what your deal covers.

"People assume a boat comes with a trailer, but that's not necessarily the case," Griffey said. "Same with boat covers. Be prepared to negotiate options like that."

As always, about a half-dozen tackle dealers will be on hand with a dazzling assortment of fishing tackle available at discount prices. The expo also will give away a fully rigged Bass Tracker bass boat.

Show hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission for adults will be $5. Children age 12 and younger get in free.

More information is available by contacting Ken or Kelly Griffey at (501) 225-6177, (501) 765-1423 or by e-mailing griffeyinc@sbcglobal.net.

BIG BUCK CLASSIC

This is the 25th anniversary of the Arkansas Big Buck Classic, and this year's edition promises to be the biggest yet.

One of the South's premier hunting extravaganzas will celebrate our latest deer season by bringing the biggest racks taken this year together under one roof. By show's end, the vaunted Wall of Antlers will bristle with the biggest whitetailed deer racks taken in Arkansas.

It demonstrates how good the quality of our bucks really is. It always draws a huge crowd, and it's a great place to swap deer hunting stories.

It's also a great place to buy stuff. Vendors selling items from custom turkey calls, duck and goose calls, handcrafted knives and even guided hunts pack the Hall of Industry.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the Big Buck Classic and Remington Arms will give away 25 guns during the show until there are 25 confirmed winners. A two-hour helicopter hog hunt with helihoghunt.com also will be given away.

The highlight of the show comes Jan. 25, when the winner is crowned. That hunter will win a Bad Boy Buggy from Bradford Marine & ATV.

Sports on 01/11/2015

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