PHOTOS: New England Boat Show

Photos by Margaret Burdge

Though it may seem counter-intuitive, winter is the primary season to buy boats. So get your 2013 boating season started this weekend with the New England Boat Show, hosted by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association.

The largest boat show in the region, the event showcases more than 365,000 square feet of boats and other equipment. Below, check out some exclusive photos from year’s show, which is from Saturday, February 16, through Sunday, February 24, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The largest powerboat at the show, The Regal, is definitely deserving of its title as one of the show’s three “queens,” measuring out to 46 feet in length.

You will definitely feel like you are getting the royal treatment when you step into The Regal’s cabin.

The Jeanneau sailboat, another queen, will appear even more royal at the show this weekend once its mast has been added. 

On the left, one of the two sailboat queens at the boat show. The Beneteau is a whopping 45 feet in length.

Picture yourself at the helm of the Beneteau beauty.

Above, the sister sailboat of the show’s Beneteau queen. The interior of the Oceanis 37 is homey and comfortable.

If you need a boat to hang out with friends or family on, try out one of the pontoons. Though they’re not new, pontoon boats are highlighted at the show as “coming back in a new way” says Jessica Fast, the show’s PR rep. “Grandparents still have it, but it’s also good for families. … You can still ski behind them, but they’re also great for new boaters.”

Above, only half of the boats on display. Six Patriots football fields could fit in the full exhibition space.

Try your hand at being a skipper with the Power Boat Docking Challenge (pictured above) or the Remote Control Sailing Pond.

With more than 100 booths carrying different sailing products, ship vendors and experts at the show will give advice on what types of engines you need, which boating shoes are both fashionable and durable, and more.

With vendors selling all of the gear you could ever need to become an expert sailor and more than 100 interactive seminars during the show, even the most inexperienced skipper can leave the show an expert.