Back By Popular Demand: ‘Houseboat Row’ Returns For 45TH Annual Atlanta Boat Show

Posted Tuesday, December 19, 2006

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ATLANTA, Dec. 19, 2006 – One of the most popular attractions in Atlanta Boat Show history – Houseboat Row – is returning this January for the 45th Annual Atlanta Boat Show, Jan. 10-14 at the Georgia World Congress Center. This special attraction features five, fully furnished, spectacular houseboats, valued from $250,000 to more than $1 million, lined up outside the World Congress Center at Northside Drive, with an additional 110x21-foot houseboat inside the show.

 

The houseboats will ship into downtown Atlanta the week before the show and be ready for visitors on opening day.

 

This year’s models, which will all be for sale, are provided by Sumerset Houseboats, Bote Werks-Fantasy Houseboats, Destination Yachts and The House Boat Store. The houseboats on display outside will range in size from 50 to 110 feet long.

 

Each of the houseboats will showcase beautiful interior designs, custom features such as Jacuzzis and wet bars, as well as the latest technological advances. These “floating luxury homes” have many amenities such as gourmet chef galleys, home theater systems, whirlpool tubs, full-sized washer and dryers, king-sized master suites and more.

 

“If people haven’t seen a houseboat in the last five or six years, then they don’t know what they’re missing,” said Steve Lochmueller, president and CEO of Sumerset Houseboats, the oldest and largest houseboat manufacturer in the country. Lochmueller is also chairman of the Houseboat Industry Association.

 

“It is very difficult to find and view fully constructed vessels in one place, so the Atlanta Boat Show is a great opportunity to see fully built, completely furnished houseboats. The show is a tremendous experience for boaters,” he added.

 

Based in Somerset, Ky., Sumerset Houseboats is building a custom “Atlanta Show Boat” that will be 21x106 feet in size with a 6-inch deeper hull and 6-inch taller walls, making the boat feel even more roomy. The vessel will have coffered ceilings, crown molding, a plasma TV that rotates 180 degrees and can be recessed when not in use, a horseshoe-shaped galley with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, a built-in, custom keyhole-shaped dining island with matching soffitt above, fireplaces in the salon and master state room, and master state room luxury bath completed with tiled shower, bench and massage jets.

 

All of the houseboats on Houseboat Row will be available for tours at the show, with houseboat experts on hand to talk with visitors.

 

The houseboat industry has changed dramatically over the last 40 years and continues to grow in popularity as more and more people discover the fun of living on the water. Today’s houseboats are built according to the American Boat and Yacht Council’s standards to obtain National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) certification. They continue to represent one of the best dollar-per-foot value purchases in the recreational boating market.

 

Atlantans and people throughout Georgia are taking a strong interest in the high-end luxury houseboat market. Houseboats today are often enjoyed as vacation getaways or second homes; some even choose to live full-time aboard their floating homes. For those considering buying a home on the lake, Lochmueller recommends considering a houseboat. “Because a houseboat moves, people get to see many different sites and landscapes on a daily basis. Houseboating brings families closer together, and it’s a great way to spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of the city,” he said.

 

“Houseboat Row was one of our most popular attractions last year and really got people excited about all the possibilities of owning their own floating home,” said Melisa Malone, show manager for the Atlanta Boat Show. “This exhibit reflects the growing importance of houseboats on lakes throughout Georgia and the show offers a look at many different products for a variety of budgets.”

 

The 2007 Atlanta Boat Show schedule is:

 

Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 10-12: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 13: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 14: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Advance e-tickets are on sale beginning Dec. 1 at www.AtlantaBoatShow.com. Adult tickets are $8 each; and youth, ages 13-15, are $4. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Tickets also will be on sale at the show. In honor of its 45th anniversary, all 45-year-olds get in for just 45 cents per individual each day of the show (proof of age required).

 

For more information on the Atlanta Boat Show, visit www.AtlantaBoatShow.com or call 770-951-2500.

 

Visitors to the Atlanta Boat Show should park in the blue and yellow lots at the Georgia World Congress Center, or take MARTA to the Georgia Dome/Georgia World Congress Center/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station or Vine City Station.

 

The Atlanta Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world's largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the leading association representing a $37 billion a year recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.NMMA.org. The Atlanta Boat Show is sponsored by Allstate, Boater’s World, GMC Truck, Honda Marine, Lanier Harbor Marina, MARTA, Tow Bow U.S. and Yamaha.

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