Detroit Boat Show - The Hull Truth

knowhowiroll · 02-20-2008, 06:30 AM

Just curious what the turnout at the show was like this year. Would like to get down there.

If any one has been there would like to know what the crowds are like.

Thanks, Tony

TheSkipper · 02-20-2008, 07:14 AM

I was there on opening day, Saturday, February 16, from about 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There was hardly anybody there. The show was about 1/2 the size it was the last time I went in 2005. The only real big exhibit were the Colony Marine display which had plenty of Sea Rays and Boston Whalers, and the Formula/Thunderbird display which had a lot of Formulas. Catawba Moorings has three Regulators there, a 26FS, a 29FS, and a 32FS. There were some Everglades boats there as well.

I went there to look at Pursuits, but did not see a single Pursuit anywhere at the show. It's possible that I missed them, but I don't see how. We were there for an hour and walked around the entire show twice. It was really small and uncrowded.

MIfirst · 02-20-2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

TheSkipper - 2/20/2008 9:14 AM I went there to look at Pursuits, but did not see a single Pursuit anywhere at the show. It's possible that I missed them, but I don't see how. We were there for an hour and walked around the entire show twice. It was really small and uncrowded.

Should have gone to the GR boat show instead, I believe they hada Pursuit there. We went last Sunday and the place was pretty empty, I'm sure the weather had something to do with it. Thing I found funny was 3 different dealers had the Yamaha 230 boat in their booth (some had multiple models).

draggenballs · 02-20-2008, 10:58 PM

I was very disappointed in the Detroit show. I did not see any Grady White, Pursuit, Yellowfin or Contender and I was not real impressed with the Regulators that were there. I was also looking forward to seeing the big Conquest 345 but it was not there ether. Not much to look at in the big water fishing boats. There were a lot of Trophys there and some Sea Swirls but not much else. I did like the Tiara display but that was only dreaming. The smallest boat they brought was the 30' open. This show was way smaller then the last time I went back in 2002. I too may have missed some of the boats but if I did they did not have much of a display. I guess Detroit is not Miami.

TheSkipper · 02-21-2008, 07:00 AM

I also noticed that there were three different displays which featured the Yamaha jet boats. I read an article somewhere in the past couple of weeks which said that that segment of new boat market is actually doing very well despite the overall downturn in new boat sales.

Regarding draggenballs' comments, now that you mention it, I didn't see any Grady Whites either, which is a bit of surprise. The absence of Yellowfin and Contender is no surprise - I don't think I've ever seen either of them at the Detroit boat show, and you sure don't see many of them on the water around here.

erie skipper · 02-29-2008, 07:50 AM

fyi, attendance was up by 15% from last year, but probably due to the number of free tickets and discounts given this year

Brad1 · 03-01-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

TheSkipper - 2/21/2008 9:00 AM. . .I read an article somewhere in the past couple of weeks which said that that segment of new boat market is actually doing very well despite the overall downturn in new boat sales. . .

The most recent issue of Trailer Boats magazine has a small article which states the same thing. Might've been the same article your referring to. I read a review of a 21 foot Yamaha jet boat. They ran it in the waters off the Florida Keys in 3 foot chop and they said it handled those conditions very well. I found that interesting. Maybe Yamaha should try developing boat geared more towardsfishing.

FreeByrd · 03-02-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

draggenballs - 2/20/2008 9:58 PM

I was very disappointed in the Detroit show. I did not see any Grady White, Pursuit, Yellowfin or Contender and I was not real impressed with the Regulators that were there. I was also looking forward to seeing the big Conquest 345 but it was not there ether. Not much to look at in the big water fishing boats. There were a lot of Trophys there and some Sea Swirls but not much else. I did like the Tiara display but that was only dreaming. The smallest boat they brought was the 30' open. This show was way smaller then the last time I went back in 2002. I too may have missed some of the boats but if I did they did not have much of a display. I guess Detroit is not Miami.

Draggen,
Wanted to let you know the Contenders we have in stock and available for viewing in Huron, Ohio at South Shore Marine in our heated storage / showroom

2008 23 Open
2008 25 Sport
2008 27 Tournament (one w forward seating and one without)
2008 31 Tournament with forward seatin
2008 38 Express with triple F350s

2007 31 Cuddy (our trade w / 50 hours)

We are also the Great Lakes dealer for Carolina Classic - have a new 2007 25 Carolina in stock, as well as a 2006 25 Carolina on brokerage, 2 new 2008 28 Carolinas in stock, a 2006 32 on brokerage and a 2007 32 on brokerage.

Additionally we are the Great Lakes Rampage dealer and have a 30, 33, 38, 41 and 45 available for viewing in heated storage.

Steve

draggenballs · 03-02-2008, 11:31 AM

freebyrd, I was at your marina last year and looked at a Carolina Classic 25. I love that boat but as of now its not in my price range. Maybe next year or the year after but there is a good chance that will be my next boat. Until then I'll just be window shopping. Thanks.