ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602280009
SECTION: BOAT SHOW PAGE: BS-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON STAFF WRITER
Maybe more important than making sales, Appomattox River Canoes will make itself visible at the 1996 Southwest Virginia Boat Show.
``We've only been here two years, and it's important that people know we're here,'' said store manager Scott Hanson.
Located on Bent Mountain Road, Appomattox River specializes in canoes and kayaks and has more than 60 in stock at its store, Hanson said. Based in Farmville, the company decided to put a store in Roanoke last year, and it paid off, as the unit became one of the top five dealers for Old Town canoes.
``We sell quite a few,'' Hanson said.
The Old Town line will be featured at the boat show, with sizes ranging from 12 to 17 feet. Two of the more popular models are the Camper - for general recreation - and the Appalachian - for white-water action.
Besides canoes, Appomattox River will feature several kayaks at the show. The store carries four lines of kayaks - Perception, Dagger, Piranha and New Wave - and sales are going up.
``Kayaks are safer and more comfortable now,'' Hanson said. ``And people are becoming more aware of the streams in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia.''
Hanson also credited growth of the sport locally to the Roanoke County Parks and Recreation Department. The department offers free instructional classes on canoeing and rafting and has whetted several appetites for the sport.
At the boat show, Hanson said he will have six or seven canoes and several canoe accessories on display. There will be no new canoes to show or discount prices, but that shouldn't keep people from inquiring, he said.
``We do deal,'' he said. ``We're always ready to deal.''
Another company ready to deal in canoes is Advantage Marine. Advantage will be showcasing the WaterQuest line of canoes, which is manufactured by Leisure Life Limited of Grand Rapids, Mich.
The canoes are constructed of high density, high molecular weight polyethylene and are billed as being extremely impact and puncture resistant. A popular feature of this model is its wide beam - 42 inches on the 14-foot model - which makes it a very stable canoe.
``From the input I've been getting, people are just tired of canoes turning over,'' said Mike Fielder of Advantage Marine. ``A whole lot of people like riding in those things early and late in the year, and there's no point in turnover over if you do. The added width makes this canoe so much more stable.''
The WaterQuest also has a sealed storage area, so even if it does capsize, belongings with remain dry.
Advantage has 14- and 15-footers in stock, and both will be on display at the boat show.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. CINDY PINKSTON/Staff. Scott Hanson of Appomattoxby CNBRiver Canoes says he's ready to deal at the boat show. 2. File/1995.
Kayaks, such as this Super Sport, are becoming more popular with
those wanting to explore area streams.