Away Point, on 20 February 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:
Powerboat1, on 20 February 2012 - 12:32 PM, said:
Away Point, on 20 February 2012 - 11:10 AM, said:
Powerboat1, on 20 February 2012 - 08:50 AM, said:
Who bought a new boat at the show?
Heard the bell ring twice Saturday, so someone bought something, I guess.
I can't even imagine buying something brand new. The rapid depreciation is just mind boggling!!!
One pleasant thing for me is to see how many things about my old boat I like better than its new counterpart. Granted, they do have new features I would certainly enjoy, but things like going from 3 closets to one, much smaller refrigerator, and a inconveniently located electrical panel, all make me wonder what they're thinking in the design process.
Overall, I enjoyed the show. Seems like it was better than the last time I went a couple years ago.
Truthfully, I'm not sure which gives me more of an itch to get back on the water. Being around all those boats, or what epitomizes so well one of the things we escape while on the water -- the dry, expressionless, indifferent attitude with which someone can deliver hotdogs and beer at rip off prices. lol
Someone has to pay for all those Union workers plugging in the salesmen's laptop, and if you are not going to buy a new boat, they know you just might buy a hot dog and 2 beers. There is your cost structure. If a few forum members would start buying new boats, say 1 percent, the price of beer and hotdogs might go down for 99 percent of the forum members. Basic 2012 economics.
AP, You need to get down to the Miami Show next year. It is an experience a boat guy like you just might enjoy. Boats, Engines, Parts, builders,X 10. I have never experienced a dry,expressionless, indifferent attitude with a young lady in a bikini serving drinks at the Miami show. Put it on your calendar.
I really should make a Miami show trip happen. I'm sure there would be plenty to captivate my interests. Maybe even an interesting boat or two also. :-p lol
I'm glad there still is a boat show at Cobo, but I have to wonder how viable it really is for participants. I guess if they keep coming it must be, but if a hot dog is 4 bucks, hate to imagine what it costs to actually have a presence there.
Viability of the show participants is like asking what a new car dealer's invoice is. It is different for everyone. Back in the day most of the cost for an exhibit was paid for by the dealer, many of whom were mom and pop, and are long gone. There came a time when putting on the exhibit became too much of a high cost, and with boat manufactures consolidating, they got smart fast and started to throw dollars into the show to keep their boats out there.
The last time I wrote a check for square foot exhibit space it cost us more to have the boats brought in, set up etc than the actual "space'. This was a long time ago. You look at a 50K expense and realize most of it went to Cobo's finest unions. We stopped attending, and a funny thing happened. No change in sales, we were sold out by Memorial Day, with 50K extra for beer money. We were offered discounts etc, but again, the space was not the cost. I know they have worked hard and made alot of progress with those issues. The fact of the matter, what cost 50K in Detroit cost 10K in Miami back in the day, crazy.
So as long as manufactures will supply boats with out juicing the dealer, pay a good portion of the costs, the Cobo show will go on. If another manufacture goes bankrupt or is in trouble, you will be visiting Novi for your boat fix. I do not think Bass pro shops and Tracker go to any boat shows. They are the largest selling boats in the country.
There are some interesting trends and we are of course watching the Great Lakes Market. Turn key is the direction things are going. The marine business has always been behind the automotive for several reasons. Some of the larger custom manufactures are moving towards the first 2 years service and maint included. A client purchases a boat and the engine manufacture provides funding for the mechanical service. We have been working with a maint/detail operation that is expanding and paid for by the manufactures. They provide the cleaning and upkeep for the dealer at his shows for no cost and then for the buyer for 2 years. The employees are here on visas, do an outstanding job, the cost to the manufacture very little for the service. The dealer sells a boat with turn key service without the overhead and associated expense. Most folks get out of boating because of maintenance and changes in lifestyle. There are alot of exciting things happening in the business as a whole.
This post has been edited by Powerboat1: 20 February 2012 - 06:30 PM
