Current and Future Boat Lovers: Enjoy Free Rides at Huddy Park

Driving past a boat show sparked my interest in buying the pontoon I got from New Jersey Outboards but I didn't go to my first boat show until after I got my boat. I wanted to check out the newest models.

I wish I hadn't waited.

The atmosphere at the Huddy Park In-Water Boat Show is great. Sales people are on hand to answer questions and offer free rides, but there really isn't any sales pressure. It's more of a meeting of people who are enthusiastic about boating and curious about the latest amenities.

It's so cool to be able to get in a boat and have the time to check out all the little features.

The boat show is actually how I discovered a boating bathroom option. I was walking around a pontoon, being a little curious, and I opened up what I thought was a storage area in the back. Turns out, it was a pop-up changing area that could be outfitted with a porta-potty!

NJ Outboards hosts two boat shows at Huddy Park each year, and the next one is coming up Sept. 28-30. (Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The rain dates are Oct. 6-8.) Both admission and the rides are free.

They'll have several boats in the water for sea trials, and more on land. (In fact, it's the only boat show in New Jersey where you can actually ride in a boat.) They also have vendors and activities to make it truly a family event. Think of it like a car show, only for boats.

If you're at all interested in boats, you'll fall in love with one here.

If you want to make sure it gets on your calendar, RSVP to the Facebook event here: