So did anyone go today? Any interesting stuff?
Went Sat. Not impressed. Boats are nice, good deals but where are the vendors?? I seen more vendors selling stuff you don’t need then useful ones. Why don’t the local tackle shops have booths? Didn’t see any push for the local guides either. Maybe its the cost of having a booth?
FishCrazy
I went Saturday and it was very busy. I guess everyone decided to go when the gloomy weather cleared.
I saw what I need to see…Hewes Redfisher, Pathfinder, and Bay Scouts. I think I will be looking at a 19 or 20’ Bayscout in the near future unless a good deal on a Redfisher comes along. Another good looking bay boats was the Cobia Bay. Tidewater also upping the game.
If I were in the market for a creek boat the Bulls Bay would be hard to pass up; that is once nice little boat!
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
Native Manta Ray 14
Oops, I agree with you.
I think one of the reasons that there are not better vendors is price. Some of the little guys may not even make enough to cover a ‘booth fee’ unfortunately.
As usual, I love to hit the show in January, register for freebies and drink some expensive beer. Way too many vendor’s that cater to the 30 foot plus boat customer with way cool sh*t for the 40 to 50 footers, but where were the ones showing stuff for the Yaker’s, inshore fisherman’ and small boat fisherman? Why no electronics being displayed like fishfinders etc.
Been waiting on the “new” 22SF Pioneer and finally got a close-up look and talked with the builders. 5 years in developement and all that cost is being passed to the customer. As beautiful as that boat was and the attention to detail that goes into their boats, it is not a $75,000 boat. $65000 show special but don’t forget to by a trailer or GPS, or Depthfinder or VHF or etc.
I did buy a nice reel and got some neat stuff, saw some great boats, but I will stick with my 2001 1720 Keywest and 2 stroke 90 yammie and hope the 15% ethanol that is going into gas, doesn’t F it up too bad
Saw a lot of nice boats with some really nice prices. I know I’ll be sticking with the one I have now for a while. Unless you have unlimited funds (which I do not) or you can get a super deal on a last years model, I can’t ever see buying new. I don’t think I could bear the depreciation. My 8 year old really liked the $348,000 Sundancer. He thought we should sell our house and all live on the boat.
Hey I’m with your son. I couldn’t ever get my family to (voluntarily) live on a boat. Nothing too new at the show. Pretty much looked like 2009. Guess it’s difficult to invest in innovation with such a dubious market. Interesting that SeaFox had such a large floor plan. They may have had more boats on display than anyone.
quote:
Originally posted by quarterpoundAs usual, I love to hit the show in January, register for freebies and drink some expensive beer. Way too many vendor’s that cater to the 30 foot plus boat customer with way cool sh*t for the 40 to 50 footers, but where were the ones showing stuff for the Yaker’s, inshore fisherman’ and small boat fisherman? Why no electronics being displayed like fishfinders etc.
Been waiting on the “new” 22SF Pioneer and finally got a close-up look and talked with the builders. 5 years in developement and all that cost is being passed to the customer. As beautiful as that boat was and the attention to detail that goes into their boats, it is not a $75,000 boat. $65000 show special but don’t forget to by a trailer or GPS, or Depthfinder or VHF or etc.
I did buy a nice reel and got some neat stuff, saw some great boats, but I will stick with my 2001 1720 Keywest and 2 stroke 90 yammie and hope the 15% ethanol that is going into gas, doesn’t F it up too bad
Don’t know if there was 2 Pioneer 222 SF there or not, but the one in Barrier Island’s booth was $60k with a trailer. They had a new 300 Yamaha on it and that isn’t a cheap motor. They told me the bases boat with a 200 was around upper 40’s with a trailer.
I’m a big pioneer fan, however I don’t think that I would upgrade from my 197 for the 222SF… I wasn’t greatly impressed, there were some features I wish I had on my pioneer but for the most part, nothing I couldn’t live without. I wasn’t greatly impressed by anything at the show either, though I also knew I wasn’t in the market to buy a new boat either.
“The Wet Dream”
20’ Pioneer 197
150hp Suzuki 4-Stroke
How about that Everglades 22 with the “tuna” (redfish) tower. That thing was $weet
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
I was a little shocked at how many random, not related to boating vendors were there. I was walking and I felt someone touch my arm and they asked if I like to take vacations in Myrtle Beach. When I told them “no” they said “are you sure? its free!” Then a second later I’m walking and was interupted by another woman asking if my windows on my house are old. Not what I was expecting from a boat show. Probobly been to 10 boat shows and never had that happen. It was worse than walking down Market st during tourist season.
i was a bit surpirsed at the non boat vendors that were at the show as well.
In this economy I guess they figure any traffic past their product is good traffic. Probably made a few sales.
what does a small booth area cost?
I bought a handheld VHF radio. I saved $10.00 at the boat show. It cost me $14.00 for two tickets and I had to take my wife out for dinner afterwards. That was $30 or so. [:0]
I did get to talk to somebody about Nu Teak and he came and measured my boat. No quote yet.
Ron
2000 Camano Troll
North Charleston, SC