- Plush yachts are everywhere at the boat show.Photo by Peter Barnes
- And your kids can explore the boat interiors, too.Photo by Peter Barnes
- There's lots of room to roam.Photo by Peter Barnes
Once a year the Reliant Center turns into a giant toy store for outdoorsy adults, their hearts filled with youthful longing for row upon row of glimmering bass boats and fifth-wheel campers with living rooms the size of studio apartments. Don’t let the packs of glassy-eyed adults fool you, though, there’s also plenty to amuse the youngsters at the Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show.
5. Indoor wake boarding: An ingenious cable system run by some patient instructors from Camp Wake helps kids learn the basics on dry land. Sure, wake boarding on carpet may look silly, but it beats face planting several times while your friends laugh at you from the boat.
4. Antique boats: Ogle more than a dozen carefully polished Chris Crafts and other classics meticulously maintained by the Antique and Classic Boat Society. Hot rods on water, they’re guaranteed to turn heads of all ages.
3. Fish O’ Rama: Pre-baited poles dangling above a school of trout await anglers between the ages of 4 and 14. They can even win even prizes for snagging one of the tagged fish in the large pool at the back of the exhibit hall.
2. Virtual trophy fishing: Those hard-earned Wii skills come in handy at the Texas Saltwater Series interactive fishing trailer. While kids hone their casting and hand-eye coordination, parents might even glean a few tips from pro anglers frequenting the booth.
1. Climb around on a $1 million yacht: Let’s be honest – when is the next time your family will be able to loiter aboard any number of finely appointed pleasure craft that cost several times more than the average Houston home?