Russell Marine In-Water Boat Show

Story by Natalie Nettles

Russell Marine will kick boating season off in style this month as it hosts its eighth annual In-Water Boat Show at the Ridge Marina.

The show, which is the largest in-water boat show in the Southeast, will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 27-29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is the first, great opportunity to demo a boat this season, compare the different kinds and discover what you like,” said Russell Marine President Dave Commander.

“We’ll have over 50 boats on water for demos, plus several water crafts by Sea Doo with a course for testing those out. We’ll have representatives from all the major manufacturers – SeaRay, Bayliner, Nautique, Godfrey pontoons and SeaDoo. Plus, there will be incentives to make it worth your buy.”

Commander said the show will also feature paddle board and wakeboard demos, and Russell Marine will have a giant tent sale on site featuring items at 25 to 80 percent off.

In addition, Commander said food vendors will be at the event and Russell Marine will be giving away door prizes all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Commander said the boat show has been a huge success in years past, and he expects it will have a great turnout again this year.

“It’s the start of the season and we expect Lake Martin to be at full pool. It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “We usually have over 1,000 people from across the Southeast – Georgia, Mississippi, North Alabama and South Alabama.”

Russell Marine, a division of Russell Lands On Lake Martin, is comprised of four full service marinas on Lake Martin – The Ridge Marina, Kowaliga Marina, River North Marina and Real Island Marina – as well as a pre-owned boat center.

In 2011, Russell Marine, which has operated on Lake Martin for more than 50 years, was recognized in Boating Industry magazine as a Top 100 dealer for the fifth year in a row.

The Ridge Marina is located behind Chimney Rock in Russell Lands On Lake Martin’s Ridge neighborhood off of Highway 63.