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Hope floats

Builders such as Lazzara Yachts are optimistic events such as the St. Petersburg Boat Show will encourage customers to keep spending.

ST. PETERSBURG - Fifty years ago, Vince Lazzara set a new standard in the marine industry when he began building large, quality, fiberglass sailing yachts on the shores of Tampa Bay.

His sons, Dick and Brad, took the family business to another level in 1991 when they began building large, quality, motor yachts at a new Tampa shipyard.

"The key word has always been quality," said Rich Lazzara, Dick's son. "That's the word that comes to mind when people think of our motor yachts."

The company came out with its first model, a 76-footer, in 1993. It followed that with ones that were 80, 94, 106 and 110, the largest model in the current line.

"But we kept hearing from customers that they wanted something more affordable, under $3-million, that could be run without a captain," Lazzara said. "Our answer is the new 68."

The yacht, which made its debut last month at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, motored into town Wednesday and docked behind the Bayfront Center for the 27th annual St. Petersburg Boat Show.

It has been 10 years since the builder has participated in the event. But Lazzara is optimistic about Tampa Bay's emerging luxury boat market.

"We sold seven of the 68s in Fort Lauderdale, but what has surprised me is the interest that our boats have begun to generate locally," he said. "Some of our best customers are right here in Tampa Bay."

Show organizers are optimistic about Florida's $14-billion boating market. Overall, powerboat sales are up 11 percent over last year. Inboard cruisers have shown the greatest increase at 20 percent; outboards sales are up 14 percent.

The boat show offers the first chance for buyers to get a look at the 2005 models, including motor-yachts such as the the new Lazzara 68, cruisers, trawlers and smaller vessels such as center consoles, go fasts, flat boats and personal watercraft.

Most of the major manufacturers - Century, Angler, Scout, Mainship, Four Winns, Luhrs, Donzi, Silverton, Cobia, Pro-Line, Viking, Hatteras, Sea Pro, Sea Ray, Pro-Sport, Carver and Sea Doo - have brought their new lines.

The prices vary. At the high end you'll find motoryachts like the Lazzara, multimillion dollar vessels out of reach for most folks but still worth a look in case you win the lottery. At the low end you'll find family boats made by Sea Pro.

"These are boats for the working class," said Robert McGurdy, a salesman with O'Neill's Marina in St. Petersburg. "We've got a 19-foot bay boat with motor and trailer, and (we can) get you out the door for $22,000."

If you are in the market for a boat, the best place to start looking is a boat show. Many dealers bring last year's models, which they are willing to mark down to make room for the 2005s.

But boat shows are also a great place to do comparative shopping. If you have three 20-foot center consoles in the same place, you can see what you like, what you don't like and, most importantly, what you are willing to pay.

Boat show organizers in St. Petersburg and elsewhere are trying to make their events more family-oriented. At this year's show, boaters can arrive by watercraft and enjoy free mooring at the "Come by Boat" docks.

Children ages 4 to 16 are welcome at a series of fishing clinics. Upon completion, participants get a free rod, reel and tackle kit and free admission to the show. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.

A 10-minute IMAX-style film by noted marine artist Guy Harvey, Portraits of the Deep , will be shown throughout the weekend. In addition to the more than 700 boats on display will be the show's "floating cocktail barge" located in the middle of the docks. A concession area can be found on the south side of the show.

27TH ANNUAL ST. PETERSBURG BOAT SHOW

WHEN: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.

ADMISSION: $7 for adults, $2 for children 6-12, free for children under 6.

INFORMATION: Go to www.stpbs.com or www.showmanagement.com or call 727 895-8413.