The boat show...an annual ritual

[freelancer]

Every year around this time, I jump in the car and take that drive down the Atlantic City Expressway to attend the AC Boat Show

I enjoy seeing the new models from the makers we know and the new lines that incorporate the latest design and technologies. The wife and kids enjoy it too, I've even purchased a few things at the vendor section.

Every once in a while you hear that ship's bell ringing-somebody just bought a new boat.

Who else likes the boat show and when does it come to your area?

 

[southkogs]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

Haven't been to one here in the Nashville area in a long time ... last one was kinda' a "Bassboats on Parade" kind of event.

 

[robert graham]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

Our Boat show is next weekend here in Greenville, S.C....I gotta be there just to see and study up on all the new boats, motors, accessories, etc....lots of good stuff!

 

[204 Escape]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

They are having one this week-end in Kansas City, Mo. Haven't been for the last couple of years. A couple of large dealerships quit going, and kinda left a part of it empty. I "heard" they were not charging admision this year, but that was "talk". I heard nothing for a fact.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

I was planning on taking my son to the Baltimore boat show tomorrow but the weather is now looking a little crappy for the drive down. We'll see. I went last year and enjoyed it.

 

[angus63]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

NY show was down 10% in attendance and down more than 15% in sales. Tough on the manf and dealers.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

Our's here in Birmingham is this weekend, I will be there with my regular crew just like the past 5 years. I think it's great! It surely gets the summer bug itching, beer and boats in January, I think so.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

The one in Toronto started last weekend and finishes up this Sunday. All the major manufacturers were there. We were there for 5 hours last Saturday and still didn't see everything.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

Detroits is next month. We have tickets to the show during the day and then tickets that night to the MSU-UM Ockey game. Gonna be a lonngggg day. Oh and GO BLUE!!

 

[freelancer]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

NY show was down 10% in attendance and down more than 15% in sales. Tough on the manf and dealers.

There use to be a show allot closer to home in Philly but it was pretty bad and really nothing more than a big indoor boating flea market, it hasn?t been offered in over 4 yrs now. A lot of the dealers and manufacturers just stopped showing up, and as an owner of a Larson, it sucks when the brand you own doesn?t show up to the dance

The AC Boat Show is a lot bigger, but Larson didn?t show up there last year either...maybe it's the economy, did see some nice Rinkers though

No worries, I just got an email from the dealer that they will be there displaying the all new 2012 Larson 927 Cabrio for the first time. Looking forward to it and who knows, you just may hear that ship's bell ringing

 

[Philster]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

I have boating in my veins and I am a gear head, too.

Oddly, boat shows and car shows make my skin crawl. I don't know why. This year, I am trying to have a different attitude, and might test it out in Baltimore this weekend. A.C. is on the list, too. Friends want to go, and I am trying to have a different attitude.

It doesn't make sense. I know; I know....

 

[arks]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

Who else likes the boat show and when does it come to your area?

From where I live there's 4 major boat shows within reasonable driving distance:

Philadelphia (early March)- Made the 'old' Philly boat show almost every year since 1970. Dad bought a new Sunfish sailboat there in '72. Loved it! Haven't tried the 'new' greater Philly show....

Baltimore (late Jan)- Started going to Maryland a year or so after I got a powerboat in '82. I liked Baltimore because it was somehow 'more fun' to go to a boat show near the waterfront.... Gave up on Philly a couple years later and never went back.

Atlantic City (late Jan)- I won some tickets in '99 or '00 and REALLY liked it. Bigger/ more expensive boats (I mean yachts), much larger venue, and tons of gear vendors. AC became an annual ritual, and we made a habit of being there when the doors opened so we could see the best boats first. 2008 was the start of the 'smaller' AC show. IMO It just wasn't the same- the biggest yacht that year was maybe 46', and '09 was even more of 'less'. At least I got some 'free' magazine subscriptions. Didn't bother going last year.

Annapolis (late October)- Got a pair of comps to the US powerboat show in '09. OH MY GOD what a show! By FAR the biggest and best yachts, gear and venue anywhere in the region. The boats on display were stunning and actually floating IN the water. Even the (very) crappy weather didn't matter to me. That show has spoiled me to just about all the others. Ever been aboard a Hinkley, Hatteras or Nordhavn ? I have, and I LIKE 'em!

 

[Philster]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

. Ever been aboard a Hinkley, Hatteras or Nordhavn ? I have, and I LIKE 'em!

I know. It's sort of easy to like multi million dollar fantasy vessels.

 

[mphy98]

Re: The boat show...an annual ritual

The Milwaukee boat show is this week, I might go just for a lark. I went last year and saw the same boat I bought used (Starcraft) now sells for $36,000.00 I think I did pretty well considering I paid 1/10 of that price and it is a 1991 superfisherman that still looks good and runs like new. Yes I would like to have a 4 stroke for the gas, but I couldn't use enough gas to break even at that point. I guess I will go just to see the new stuff though.