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Plan Your Fishing Trip Before You Choose
Even before stepping aboard the boats on display, the first question to ask is what you plan to use the boat for. Whether it?s inshore sea bass fishing, offshore trips for tuna, lure fishing, drift fishing, anchor fishing, or family outings?the requirements are different for each.
When the boat is used primarily for fishing, ease of movement on board becomes essential. An uncluttered cockpit, reassuring freeboard, accessible storage compartments, well-positioned rod holders, and ample space around the console make fishing much easier.
On the other hand, anyone who also wants to use their boat for family outings may prefer more storage space, a rear bench seat, a sun deck, or a small cabin.
Compare Boats Under Real-World Conditions
One of the main attractions of the Grand Pavois is the opportunity to see many boats in the water. For a prospective buyer, boarding several boats one after another allows them to notice differences that are sometimes hard to spot in a brochure or on a screen.
The helm position, the width of the walkways, the freeboard height, access to the storage compartments, the available space behind the console, and how easy it is to move between the bow and the stern: just a few minutes on board are enough to rule out certain models.
You also need to picture the boat with all its actual fishing gear: several rods, a landing net, a cooler, a livewell, boxes of lures, and electronic equipment. A cockpit that seems spacious when it?s empty can quickly become cluttered.
Take advantage of the trade show to try it out before you buy
Another important advantage is that some of the boats on display can be test-driven at sea. The organizers also advise visitors who are seriously considering a purchase to contact the shipyard or dealer in advance to confirm the model?s availability for a test drive.
This is a particularly good opportunity to assess the hull?s performance, how it handles choppy water, its stability at a standstill, visibility from the helm, noise levels, and the compatibility between the engine and the boat.
Powertrain and Electronics: Considering the Project as a Whole
Buying a fishing boat also means choosing its engine and electronics. A fish finder, multifunction GPS, chartplotter, autopilot, bow thruster, or additional batteries can account for a significant portion of the budget.
The trade show thus provides an opportunity to meet with various professionals in a single day and compare solutions. Therefore, you shouldn't base your decision solely on the price of the hull, but rather on the price of a a boat that is truly ready for fishing .
The Fishing Center: A Must-See Destination
To round out your visit, head to the Fishing Area & Grand Pavois Fishing , where activities, meet-and-greets, and demonstrations are scheduled. The 2026 edition will also host the Grand Pavois Fishing event, featuring the fleet's return and the awards ceremony, both scheduled for Sunday.
The Grand Pavois can thus become a valuable decision-making tool. Rather than choosing their future fishing boat based solely on a catalog, fishermen can compare the layouts, go on board, talk with professionals, and?for certain models?take the boat out to sea.
A well-planned day can help you narrow down a long list of appealing boats to two or three models that are truly suited to your boating activities, your sailing area, and your budget. And that?s probably the best way to choose a boat that you?ll truly enjoy using for many seasons to come.
