Wheels and Waves Briefs

•Marine group jumps back into Charleston in-water event•

A state trade organization for the boating industry once routinely hosted a major show in the Lowcountry.

But the last one was 2007, and by all appearances it would seem, “That ship has sailed.”

Well, not so fast. The festival is back, according to the South Carolina Marine Association. After a six-year gap, the association will sponsor the 2013 edition of the South Carolina In-Water Boat Show. The event will take place April 12-14 on Daniel Island.

In backing this year’s show, the association said it is reviving an event it owned and operated from 2000 through 2007.

The more than-15-year-old group describes its primary goal as “providing economic, environmental, legislative and educational support to the recreational boating industry and boaters of South Carolina.”

It cited burgeoning boat sales for the move to again sponsor an in-water show in Charleston. Boat manufacturers and brokers in South Carolina and throughout the Atlantic region agree that times have changed since the last event hosted by the organization in 2007. There’s a surge of interest and sales of watercraft, the group said.

“We are thrilled to bring back the boat show in 2013,” said Suzi DuRant, executive director of the S.C. marine association. “It is the right time and we have a very enthusiastic collection of exhibitors and sponsors.”

She also said the group is pleased to work with Daniel Island Co. “to offer a brand new environment with green space along the Wando River to present exciting marine exhibits on land and in the water.”

The show will take place at Daniel Island’s Waterfront Park, where River Landing Drive meets the Wando River.

Complementing the existing city of Charleston dock will be 1,000 feet of portable floating docks and spud barges, the group said. The complex will be able to handle an array of motor and sailing watercraft.

Ticket holders can peruse the docks and tour boats on display. Meanwhile, there will be dozens of boats on land, boatbuilding displays, fishing simulators, boating and fishing demos, live music, local food and a children’s area.

For more information, visit www.scinwaterboatshow.com.

•Taking council•

Car shows and cruise-ins occur all year in greater Charleston, but spring through fall is the peak season, and Saturdays are a popular date.

Sometimes, the schedule can be so busy that shows overlap. Car enthusiasts have to choose between events or try to zip from one show to another.

The concentration of car fests among other things has generated talk of forming a local auto council.

Ron Hansen, president of the Deep South Mopars S.C. “Low Country” chapter and member of two other local car clubs, is taking steps to see that the idea at least gets a full hearing.

“In talking with several other area club presidents, the idea for starting a car/automotive club council for the Charleston and surrounding Low Country areas has been brought up,” he wrote.

“We would like to invite ALL car/truck/motorcycle club presidents or club representatives in the Low Country to have a get together and see if this would be something they wanted to participate in and any ideas they might have,” he said.

The meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at the Sonic Drive-In, 660 College Park Road in Goose Creek.

For more information or questions, email Hanson at rhanson98@gmail.com.