Houston Boat Show kicks off at the NRG Center

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The 60th Anniversary of the Houston Boat Show kicks off today at the NRG Center. The Houston Boat Show is the biggest and longest running of its kind in the country, and some Houstonians have been part of growing this show from the very beginning.

Both Danny Meyer and Fred Lester grew up going to the boat show with their fathers and have been part of it ever since.

"Back them,the boats were a lot smaller. They were wooden boats. Fiberglass was just coming into being," says Meyer, who is now the VP of Fishing Tackle Unlimited.

"Motors burned a lot more gas, they smoked a lot. Man, how things have changed," adds Lester. He is now VP at Red Wing Boat Company.

Today, the Houston Boat Show includes an array of boats and some of the most sophisticated motors and technology on the market.

"Every category of boat is here. There's shallow water boats, offshore fishing boats, pontoon boats, there are deck boats. There are ski boats, wakeboard boats," explains Dave Foulkrod of Nautic.

We can't forget yachts. The biggest and most expensive yacht at the show is a 45-foot Searay that includes two bedrooms. One converts into a media center with a big-screen TV. Plus, it includes a joy stick driving system, making it so simple that only one person needs to be on board to operate the vehicle. This yacht is on sale during the boat show for $850,000. It normally goes for over $1 million!

The Houston Boat Show is more than just boats, though, says Foulkrod. "This is the Houston boat, sport and travel show, so the RVs are here, and outdoor sporting, anyone who likes to go hunting or catch up with guide services to go fishing, or fish themselves, buy tackle and gear."

The Houston Boat Show is a family affair. There is a bass tank for kids to enjoy fishing, and this year, there's a new stingray petting tank for children. They can feed and pet the stingrays.

For Meyer and Lester, the boat show is their chance to share their joy of being on the water with others.

"There's just no pressure. You can leave all that at the bank and go have fun," says Lester.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for kids between 6 and 12 years old. Children age 3 and under are free. The show runs through January 11th.

For more information, visit www.houstonboatshow.com.