As thoughts begin to turn to spring and boating, one of the best ways to explore the wealth of watercraft options — and the great deals that are now available — is during the San Diego Sunroad Boat Show. The show opens Thursday, Jan. 26 and continues through Sunday, Jan. 29 at Sunroad Resort Marina, 955 Harbor Island Drive, located at the east end of Harbor Island. This year’s show, now in its third year at Sunroad since its move from the downtown Convention Center, is expected to be about 10 percent bigger than last year’s, with about 150 boats on exhibit, including sailboats and powered boats ranging from 28 feet to 90 feet. More than100 vendors will offer an array of boating-related products, accessories and services. “It’s the largest sailboat display in Southern California and may be bigger than Sail America in San Francisco,” said show director Jim Behun, who doubles as the Sunroad marina manager. The mix is about 40 percent sailboats and 60 percent powered boats and includes both new and used or brokerage vessels. Last year, an estimated 14,000 people attended the show over the four days, generating numerous boat sales and introducing prospective buyers to yacht brokers. This year, to ease the flow of visitors, Sunroad is adding a floating dock as a bridge between the two main exhibit docks. New this year is a charter section showing various boats available for day-sails or longer charters from several operators, Behun said. “Seaforth Yacht Charters will offer free boat rides and West Marine will have a large display of Avon Zodiacs — or hard-bottom inflatables — and will take people out for test rides,” he said. Among the new exhibitors is Precision Laboratories, which will have staff on hand demonstrating new methods of cleansing boats to eliminate mold, mildew, smoke and other odors and toxins. Raymarine will again demonstrate the latest in marine electronics in a mobile exhibit. In addition to boats for sale, other exhibitors will showcase nautical furniture, custom-made mattresses, canvas and sails, specialized marine paints, lubricants and other supplies, along with marinas and yacht clubs for cruisers’ exploration and discovery. The Unified Port of San Diego is sponsoring educational seminars that will cover a range of subjects from fishing to boating-related environmental issues to safety concerns in Mexico. Barrett Canfield, president of South Coast Yachts, which will be exhibiting four new Beneteau sailboats ranging from 30 feet to 50 feet, and two new 25-foot and 30-foot Schock Daysailers, said he is enthusiastic about the Sunroad boat show, which he finds productive for both buyers and sellers. “It’s the perfect central location by the airport,” Canfield said. “I’ve done boat shows for 20 years and it’s the best-run boat show.” Jim Johnson, a broker with Chuck Hovey Yachts, which will exhibit a 55-foot Fleming raised pilothouse motor-yacht, along with a 48-foot Offshore motoryacht and 49-foot Hylas offshore cruising sailboat, agrees. “People are excited when they come to the show,” said Johnson. “Every year, it has grown. Boats are sold from the show throughout the year. There’s a well-rounded selection of vendors and different types of boats. If you’re a boating enthusiast, you’ll find what you want at the show.” The San Diego Sunroad Boat Show hours are noon to 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 and 27, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 28 and 29. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. Adult tickets run $10 per person, making it easy and economical to bring the whole family to look for that long-contemplated dream boat. Parking is available for $10 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island, which also offers special discounted boat show rates for out-of-town visitors. Sunroad’s Island Deli will again offer its tasty tacos to hungry visitors. For information and a complete list of exhibitors, call (619) 497-5254, or visit www.bigbayboatshow.com.