Have you ever had "Boat Fever"?

Here in Charleston, SC, boating is a big recreational activity for a lot of Charleston area families; we are blessed with a lot of water; the Ashley River, the Wando River, Intercoastal Waterway, as well nearby Santee Cooper offer plenty of fishing, skiing,or just plain cruising opportunities.

Boating can be fun, but there is a "Dark" side to boating that most people are not aware of; it's called "Boat Fever"

People suffering from "Boat Fever" are constantly reading the newspapers, surfing the net, thumbing thru the "Boat Trader" magazine or cruising boat lots looking for their new "Dream" boat.

The "fever" increases when they sit in the boat and experience the new boat smell; they visualize themselves cruising across the lake, wind blowing thru their hair but it reaches it's highest and most dangerous point when they actually turn the key and "test drive" their dream boat.

I have an old friend, "Henry", who suffers from, what he descibes as " Uncontrollable Boat Fever". It normally strikes him every year about the time income tax refunds are sent out.

The only known treatment for "Boat Fever" is to actually buy one! (my friend owns 5)

I use to hang out with "Henry" a lot, but I realized that "Boat Fever" was contagious and that he was a "carrier".

(My wife was kind enough to point this out to me as we were moving our 3 boats to mow the grass)

Just this week, my friend, "Henry", telephoned me and he was almost in a manic-like-phase as he was describing a new 22 foot Whaler that he had looked at when I asked him where or how he was first exposed to "Boat Fever".

"Henry" thought about it for a couple of seconds and almost reverently said, "The Charleston Area Convention Center...that's why I was calling to see if you wanted to go"

A chill ran down my spine as I glanced at the calendar and realized that the most dangerous day of the year for "Boat Fever Sufferers" is on January 23, 2009, when the Charleston Boat Show is being held at the Charleston Area Convention Center and Coliseum.

They will have latest models and newest trends in the industry! Boats will be packed inside and around the Charleston Area Convention Center and Coliseum.

There will be a variety of Special Events and Seminars during the Show for every age group, the "newbie" boater and the "old captains'! (Check out the glass bass tank)

Hours for the show are: Friday, noon-7pm, Saturday, 10am-7pm and Sunday, 11am-6pm. Parking is free. Tickets prices: Adults $9 and Children 10 and under FREE.

It will be almost impossible for a normal person to resist, much less someone who is susceptible to "Boat Fever", so I will not be able to attend...but I am sure that my friend "Henry" will be right in the middle of it...looking for boat #6!