Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

[boatboy50]

Hey Guys,<br /><br />Im planning on coming over there for about a month soon for holidays.<br /><br />Im a boating nut from Australia and also (mainly!) want to see your boating industry and boats over there.<br /><br />My question is, where do you all recommend I go?<br /><br />Im planning on going to LA and then over to Florida for a couple of weeks each.<br /><br />Can anyone recommend some marinas, dealers, boat shows ect which are a must visit for me?<br /><br />Im mainly interested in boats under about 35ft and outboard powered.<br /><br />When should I go and where to? When are your biggest boat shows in these regions?<br /><br />I am a huge fan of US boats and until recently owned a 23ft Seaswirl, Im looking for my next one while I am over there to bring home!<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated.<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Darren

 

[KCook]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

The US boat building industry is fairly scattered around the country. You might want to target specific brands, where visiting factories is concerned. To just see boats in a showroom, most any big city can provide that. Though saltwater fishing boats, like your Seaswirl, will be found only at coastal cities, not in inland states.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[jtexas]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

googled "boat show miami" and found "Miami International Boat Show, Feb 16 - 20, 2006, Miami Beach Convention Center"<br /><br />"boat show Los Angeles" returned "50th Annual Los Angeles Boat Show Los Angeles Convention Center · Jan. 28-Feb 5, 2006"<br /><br />That gives you 10 days between boat shows to relax & have a good time!

 

[JB]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Ahoy, BB.<br /><br />While you are in Florida, be sure to go to Edgewater and tour the Boston Whaler factory.<br /><br />I think it is only fair to warn you, though; after that you will never settle for anythng else.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Nearly every city regardless of size, if its within 100 miles or so of water, has at least one marine dealer. Check maps wherever you travel and look for a lake. Nearly every lake of any size has at least one marina. When you get to any city check the yellow pages for boats and marinas. You will generally not have to travel far to find one. If you are doing the driving, stay on the right side of the road. (Couldn't resist that!) G'day Mate!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Definitely Florida.<br /><br />If you are looking to purchase a used boat, be careful you are not getting a hurricane swamped boat.

 

[boatboy50]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Hey Guys,<br /><br />Im definately a saltwater boat fan (owned a Seaswirl 2301 Outboard), and am very interested to see Gradys, Robolos, Swirls, Wellcrafts, Trophy's, Regulator's, Intrepid's ect ect. <br /><br />Im into cruising boats but don't like the plushness of Searays ect, so a walkaround with a big cabin, Sink and Stove, and preferably enclosed toilet, or maybe a forward cuddy centre console is on the list of must sees. <br /><br />I really shouldn't go over about 28 foot, but will look at anything smaller or bigger. <br /><br />I want to see boat shows and dealers mainly, I don't want to disturb any factories or put anyone out. <br /><br />Thanks to JTexas, Im looking at going around the start of February at the moment to catch the LA boat show and the Miami show while I am there. I will cover the area north from LA to San Francisco, then fly to Miami, and cover Florida north and south, maybe even into the keys. <br /><br />Any more info would be helpful, thanks again. <br /><br />Regards <br /><br />Darren

 

[KCook]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

You will find a wider variety of saltwater boats at the Florida shows than California. Many of the smaller builders have plants in FL, or at least nearby. Only the most major brands make it across the country to CA. The CA shows will be really good for ski boats, go-fasts like Eliminator, and Far East built flybridges like Grand Banks.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[QC]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Kcook is right. Our water is too cold for all of the CCs etc to get a lot of attention here. Walkarounds are VERY popular though as you need to be protected a little better than a CC. I personally think you ought to take a serious look at World Cats, but it sounds like you are a mono-hull type guy.<br /><br />There are some big dealers of OB boats in the LA area. Almost all of those are Walkarounds, some CCs, but you don't see outboards on family boats over here (LA area) really at all. For some reason, the vast majority of our bowriders etc. are I/Os and lately more V-drives in the family style/tournament hybrids. Maybe because we don't boat in the salt in smaller boats much unless you fish. Again, the Pacific is pretty cold this way year 'round, we have the sun but the air out on the water stays reasonably cool.

 

[QC]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

BTW, if you like go fast super pretty boats with big loud V8s, then LA is as good as it gets. Everything from 18' V8 jets to 40' twin engine Cats. All custom, spend as much as you want . . . I could put together a tour itinerary of the best builders around here. There are some VERY good ones. <br /><br />These guys are my personal favorite, not a great site though:<br />Hallett Boats

 

[Hunky Dory]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

A new boat "to go"? Couldn't you about start your own factory for the shipping charges? <br /><br />Having visited all 50; I'd say Hawaii or south Florida through February. Find an on-the-water show while at it. Florida caters to sun-seekers, L.A. Pretty much folds its tent. Besides the L.A. Coliseum is high and dry...<br /><br />After selecting your boat, you might turn around and price it on the west coast. I'm betting the dealers can get it that far for less money than you. A head start, so to speak...

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Much cheaper to buy in the U.S. and get it shipped back here but warranty may be void.<br /><br />A friend just shipped a scarab from NY, saved about $20,000 over Aussie dealers. There are shipping companies that specialise in large boats.

 

[QC]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Originally posted by Hunky Dory:<br /> Besides the L.A. Coliseum is high and dry...<br />

We know how to have in the water shows too . . . Just had one three weeks ago in Long Beach. More to follow . . . The LA Convention Center show is in Feb and is a BIG show. Hunky's right all high and dry, but that is not all that happens in a metro area with 10 million people . . .

 

[boatboy50]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Thanks Guys,<br /><br />The transport costs are really quite reasonable to OZ, and the boats are in my opinion worth the effort compared to our bland same old we build here, which actually costs more in many cases.<br /><br />I'm definately a mono man only due to the fact I can't really afford twins or to run them.<br /><br />Florida sounds like my kind of place, but unfortunately may have to miss the LA show due to other commitments. Seem to be arriving in LA around 11 Feb, so will miss out on the show.<br /><br />What are the names of some reputable dealers which have a fair bit of stock on display with good brands such as Swirl, Grady, Fountain, Wellcraft ect ect in the Florida and LA coastal regions?<br /><br />Regars<br /><br />Darren

 

[QC]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Here's the Wellcraft guys:<br /><br /> http://www.millers-landing.com/MillerHomex.html <br /><br />and a Grady guy:<br /><br /> http://www.schockboats.com/

 

[Solittle]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

The Miami show is billed as the largest boat show in the world. It covers three separate sites and cannot be seen in one day. Every manufacturer and dealer worthy of note will be on exhibit with the best they have to offer. You need to go nowhere else.<br /><br />And - - And the Florida Keys are less than two hours south by car. Some of the best boating in the U.S. at our doorstep!!

 

[navigator336]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

If you plan on traveling while in the LA area, I would go south to San Diego rather than north to San Francisco. There are more marinas, including Marina Del Rey, San Pedro, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Oceanside, and San Diego including Mission Bay. North of LA there is Channel Islands, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Port San Luis, Morro Bay and probably a few others on the way to San Francisco. San Francisco is 400 miles north while San Diego is 120 miles south. The marinas south are much larger in general.

 

[boatboy50]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

Thank you navigator,<br /><br />That is exactly the advice I was after.<br /><br />Can you name any dealers which are must visits for me?<br /><br />Regards<br /><br />Darren

 

[navigator336]

Re: Aussie coming to US - When and Where?

I've never owned a new boat, so I can't recommend any particular dealers. Here's a link that lists several California dealers though. <br /><br /> http://www.boatowners.com/dealersCA.htm <br /><br />A web search by city for boat dealers will probably give you several more. Newport Harbor was over 20,000 boats in it so there will be many dealers and brokers in the Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar area. San Diego should also be a mecca of boat dealers.