PROVIDENCE –– The Providence Boat Show –– scheduled to open Thursday in the Rhode Island Convention Center –– will focus on boats for budget-minded families and fishermen.

“The strength of the Providence show is in powerboats, especially those that appeal to families and fishermen,” said Nancy Piffard, show director. “We also have a big section devoted to small sailing craft, such as Lasers and Sunfish, since larger sailboats have opted to limit their exposure at indoor shows. With so much of the main floor of the show devoted to small cruisers and fishing boats from 8 feet to 40 feet, fishing and other related exhibits showing accessories, gear and charter services will be located throughout the show site. Adding in kayaks and inflatables plus booths filled with equipment, electronics and the all-important service people such as financing, insurance, storage, refit, repairs and maintenance, the show will be filling nearly 140,000 square feet of space with more than 200 exhibitors.”

Boat sales have been foundering around the world, but, said Dick Cromwell, “People are not going to stop boating.”

Owner of Marine Solutions and the Freedom Boat Club, based in Portsmouth, Cromwell predicts that there will be a spike in demand for new engines and boating services this spring. However, he cautions, “We’re all going to be lean on inventory and personnel. We may not be able to satisfy all the demand.”

His message: If your boat needs re-powering or other work, start ordering soon to avoid delays when warm weather arrives.

Recognizing hard times, the Newport Exhibition Group, producer of the boat show, plans to donate partial proceeds of next Sunday’s ticket sales to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association will offer career guidance for students and underemployed workers who may want to work in the marine trades, one of the mainstays of the Rhode Island economy.

Seminars for fishermen will be offered by Mark Burgess, Charlie Soares and Bill Brown, and Boat Wise Marine Training School will be talking about the “green” and economic topic of ethanol’s effect on marine motors.

“The Providence Boat Show is, arguably, the most convenient show for people from eastern Connecticut, central and Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and, of course, Rhode Island, to get to,” Piffard said. “And, this year, the admission price has been dropped to $10 and $8

The Providence Boat Show is scheduled to run Thursday and Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and next Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information is available online at www.providenceboatshow.com.

tmeade@projo.com