Earlier in the week I bumped into a local boat dealer at the grocery store and had a brief conversation about preparing for this week’s 45th Charleston Boat Show.

He made a comment about dealers having plenty of inventory, and that should spell good news for consumers looking to make a deal.

Event manager Jacqui McGuinness, president of JBM & Associates, said this year’s show, scheduled Jan. 24-26 at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex in North Charleston, is a sharp contrast from just a few years ago during the COVID pandemic when there was a supply chain issue.

“(Dealers) were borrowing boats that were already sold just to put them on the show floor,” McGuinness said.

“They’ve now caught up, and our show is completely full. We sold out of exhibit space a month before the show, the first time in 23 years of managing the show.”

Show hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free parking is available in several lots, including the center’s new parking garage.

Tickets are $12 for adults in advance and online only; $14 at the door; $10 for military with ID; and $6 for children ages 4 to 12. A two-day pass is available for $20. For details and to purchase discount tickets, visit TheCharlestonBoatShow.com.

McGuinness said there will be 85 brands and around 130 exhibitors and vendors at this year’s show, which includes the spacious interior at the Convention Center, large tented area and outside displays in the parking lot as well as the ground floor of the parking garage.

In addition to numerous boats representing all the major manufacturers, there are a lot of other activities for show visitors. A complete list can be found on the show’s website.

A highlight this year, McGuinness said, will be a series of seafood cooking demonstrations by well-known chefs.

McGuinness said there will once again be live music and food trucks. The “Hook the Future” kids fishing clinics, hosted by Captains Joe and Kate Carraway, will be held at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the parking garage. Kids participating in the fishing clinics receive a free rod and reel.