There were plenty of reasons for boaties to shake off the economic recession in Brisbane today.

And local marine businesses hope the Rivergate International Boat Show will accelerate their sales.

Laura Bianchi reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The family-friendly event brings together the best, that life on the water has to offer.

It includes boat displays, on-site demonstrations and much more.

Amid all the fun, the event is primarily aimed at jump-starting the industry after a period of low growth.

Narelle Jensen, Rivergate International Boat Show: “We’re very keen, we’re passionate in fact, to give the boating industry a much-needed boost.”

And she says the outlook is improving.

Narelle Jensen, Rivergate International Boat Show: “The industry is tough. It’s slowly starting to show signs, in some quarters, of growth.”

Interested buyers today agreed there has been no better time to invest in a boat.

Mark Daniels, Boat Show Attendee: “If you’re gonna buy a boat, now is a good time because everyone is out there trying to pick up their share of the market again and they’re throwing out really good deals.”

The show will continue all weekend, finishing with a world-first live internet auction on Sunday.

With an expected crowd of over 20,000, the Rivergate International Boat Show is doing its bit to help power the local boating industry.

Laura Bianchi, QUT News.