Detroit Boat Show

[Sadey]

Ha! Had to read that twice. It is all about me. Unless it’s about my wife then it’s about her...always. Happy wife sorta thing. Which I’m good with because she loves boats.

[km1125]

Qr Bbpost I almost forgot, there are some Carvers there too.

Brennan Marine used to have an awesome display with all the big Carvers! That was something to look forward to every year!

[Cooler]

Wish I was closer to Detroit. Biggest boat we had was a 25' Crownline with a cabin, more like a cuddy cabin. Just $175K special boat show deal.

Sadey - Dave. When do you think you will launch? The reason I ask is, I am installing some Xenon underwater lights next weekend. Aiming to launch very early May. I want to see how these work before I endorse them. One of the fisherman that come into the shop is very happy with their output. He fishes at night and says they spread light 12 to 14 feet. I am going to mount to Bennett trim tabs. Total kit should be around $200 & real easy install. 2 lights, one color, on/off switch, real simple. Your safety issue is makes sense, but I am just going for that Cooler look of aft glow. You going to be in this neck of the woods before May? er

[RGrew176]

Qr Bbpost I want to look at the underwater lights. I have a 356 that I would like to add them to. Honestly I think it’s a safety issue. Imagine it’s dark, there’s been say a cocktail party at the neighbors boat and someone falls in while boarding...

There were a few boats there that have underwater lights. It seems like more manufacturers are offering them as an option.

[km1125]

Just got back. OK show, but overall I was disappointed.

For several reasons... it did appear to be actually smaller than last year. Maybe they packed them in tighter but it seemed like there was more space last year. Also, unless I somehow missed it, they didn't have that "classic" section with the old wood boat displays. I thought that was really cool. While there were a few bigger boats, they were pretty sparse. Most of the bigger boats there I thought were VERY poor quality (even with some of the decent name brands!). Seemed like you could put a "Sauder Woodworking" sticker on some of them. A lot of obviously laminated panels. There were only a couple boats I was on that I felt were nicely built. I was also surprised on the (two) Carvers that were on display there were cheap steel ladders to get up to them and no railings or anything behind the swim platforms which were 4' off the ground.


I think they (the organizers) are totally missing the point of the show. It should be "priming the pump" of potential boaters and boat purchases. It should get you excited about boating in the area and about dreaming "big". Maybe you leave there and buy a used boat from somebody and that guy gets to buy a new boat from one of these vendors. You prime the pump by having cool "out of reach" stuff there and interesting things. Get people thinking and talking about boating and help them figure out ways to make it possible. Get them to come to the show even if they NEVER had a boat before and aren't ready to buy "right now." SOMETIMES the show gets a direct sale, but sometimes it's just putting the interest in there and getting your contact info out there. A LOT of folks don't even want to go, or won't talk to folks there because "they're not in the market for a boat right now" or don't want to risk talking to a high-pressure sales person. They need to get AWAY from that or the show will continue to drop in attendance. You don't need 5,000 versions of pontoons to show folks what pontoon life would be like. You need to get them INTERESTED in wanting a pontoon or some other boat, or just generally the "boating" lifestyle.

Ok, off my soapbox for now.

[RGrew176]

Fortunately or unfortunately depending on your view its the fishing and pontoon boats that are selling right now. That's why there are so many of them there. I saw the Carvers in the corner and thought they really cheapened out on their display. Saw the ladders and thought I would pass on looking at them.

[km1125]

One of my friends works for a boat broker. They only sell larger boats and have had trouble keeping an "inventory" of used boats. The folks that are selling are buying newer or new boats, so the overall market is good now, despite what it looks like at the boat show. They've always sold more smaller boats (by sheer quantity) which consisted of fishing boats, skiing boat and pontoons, but big boats are still selling.

My marina has ~800 boats and nearly all are "big" boats. Second consecutive year at full capacity. I think there is one pontoon in the whole place and that's because the guy's son is disabled.

[RGrew176]

Yes, big boats are selling as the economy is running pretty good at the moment. Even so, smaller boats are selling quite well too. The broker I bought my Carver from working Skipper Buds told me they have had a great show selling new boats. Thats a good thing. Also when new boats are selling well it also bodes well for the used boat market and used boats are holding their values quite well too.

I went to the show to look at jet skis. I may buy one next year. I could get a decent 55 MPH ski with trailer an cover for $9000 or so. I could be bopping up and down the Detroit River next year on either a Yamaha or Seadoo if I decide to go ahead with the purchase.

[Sadey]

Cooler, I’m looking to launch April 15th so fingers crossed. Might be up your way later in March. Funny, Cooler lights. The DTW show was okay but I wasn’t looking at boats just accessories. Talked with the Seadek folks and I’m highly interested. Also spoke with the audio booth about the Fusion radio system. Got some really great and helpful info. Only saw one underwater light booth and didn’t even stop. Not the type I was looking for. Still in the hunt.

[Cooler]

Sadey - give me a heads up before you come up. If you have some time, I'll show you my installation. Cooler is located just 10 miles north of NE Green Bay, in New Franken. Still planning on install this weekend. I really like that Seadek product. Looks great. One of my neighbors did his Carver 32 Sedan, swim platform, cockpit & part of the bridge. Ran him $4K. I found a roll out flooring product that I am considering for the cockpit and swim platform. There is a dealer in Omro, WI. Not as nice as the Seadek, but I will be able to roll it up to keep it clean. https://infinitylwv.com/collections/better-than-teak-ii er