The Miami Boat Show Blues

[TOHATSU GURU]

What a dud so far New 60 hp DFI 4-strokes from from Suzuki and Honda. Nothing new from Mercury. Too bored to even look at Yamaha and Tohatsu's contribution to this excitement is a camouflaged model 20 hp for hunters....And if one more consumer asks me where he/she/it can get a new, small, two-stroke outboard, well, violence will ensue

 

[ebry710]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

When you live in a area where a boats show is two dealers trying to sell extreme wake boarding boats, it is real hard to feel sorry for someone who gets to see all the bells and whistles that boating has to offer.

All kidding aside, is there any thing cool there?

The closest "boat show" type I went to this year is when I stopped by the Bass Pro Shop that just opened in Manteca, CA. I have to admit I was impressed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

Again this Year, Jacksonville was a flop.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

Honestly, I haven't seen the first thing that I would call "exciting". Just the same stuff as every year....The deals are there though. Deep discounting to "move it before they repo it". Dealers are in the deep doo doo. There was someone from iboats down here that stopped by our display, but I missed him.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

It was interesting to see which companies weren't there, which ones downsized and which ones expanded their space. Also interesting which company big-wigs weren't there at all, especially ones who had been there on opening day for the last 20+ years.

They were hurting for exhibitors out between the building and the tent. They must have been begging folks to fill space. Several companies who had booths inside, now for the first time had a display outside too. Some didn't even have people outside manning those displays. Obviously an afterthought.

Very few folks there on opening day. Probably less than 1/2 compared to 08. Let's hope serious traffic picks up over the weekend. Hotel rooms at 300 & up a night doesn't help either.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

Friday was a disappointment as well. Miami hotels are iffy at best and are gross as well as grossly over priced I've given up on the ones near the show and we now stay out by the airport. The ride in and out is only 30 minutes at worse and you can get a room from the Marriott, Hilton or Crown for the low $200.00 range.

 

[james williams]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

I talked to a man that builds boats,You all have heard of him real well.He used to work with Mercury .``He said Mercury has ``gone to h--l`.`He said Mercury don`t have any body that knows his a-s from a hole in the ground.That`s just just his oppinion, I`m sure he was just mad.

 

[ebry710]

Re: The Miami Boat Show Blues

Friday was a disappointment as well. Miami hotels are iffy at best and are gross as well as grossly over priced I've given up on the ones near the show and we now stay out by the airport. The ride in and out is only 30 minutes at worse and you can get a room from the Marriott, Hilton or Crown for the low $200.00 range.

I am still blown away. You guys in Florida have the best water and fishing anywhere in the USA. I would have expected a top shelf show.

It is known by survivors of business slow downs that you are:
1) to cut perks and inventory
2) to advertise like there is no tomorrow

If your market loses interest, you lose your market.