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Grand Rapids, MI Boat Show - Feb 2014
- Thread starter Ratickle
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Grand Rapids Boat Show opens to rising tide of consumer interest
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – If you want to party on a boat of your own this summer, this is the week to start planning that party, says Henri Boucher, producer of the 69th Annual Grand Rapids Boat Show.
The dealers who brought more than 300 vessels to the show this year are prepared to write deals, said Boucher. The show at the DeVos Place Convention Center kicked off Wednesday, Feb. 19 and continues through Sunday at 6 p.m.
“This is the public’s best opportunity to get the best deal,” said Boucher, whose show has attracted more than 30 dealers representing nearly 100 manufacturers. “If you’re looking for a pontoon boat, you can talk to this guy, and then you talk to this guy and you go back and forth.”
Boucher estimated the dealers at his show will start between 40 and 60 percent of their sales for the year at events like the Grand Rapids Boat Show, the largest and longest-running boat show in Michigan. “The economic impact of this show is $25 million,” he said.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the U.S. recreational boating industry is saw a 5 percent increase in power boat sales last year. The trade group is forecasting a sales increase of 5 percent to 7 percent in 2014.
Pontoon boats are among the hot items at this year’s show which features vessels ranging from 12 feet to 46 feet and include cruisers, runabouts, trawlers, catamarans, fishing boats, ski boats, pontoons, kayaks and one sailboat.
The show also features a display of antique wooden boats and hyrofoils, an alligator wrestling demonstration, a dive tank, boating trailers, docks and and accessories that ranging from life jackets and sports tubes to outboard motors.
Among the pontoon boats, the Harris FloteBote Crowne 250 is at the top of the food chain with a sticker price of $153,000. With two super-charged outboard motors, the 27-foot vessel can seat up to 16 person and roar across the water at 65 mph.
“This is the crème de la crème,” said Robert Dye, a salesman with Skipper Bud’s of Grand Haven, as he relaxed on the deck.
The show also features pontoon boats with a heartier party spirit. One has a complete bar with bolted-down stools and cupholders in the bar for rough seas, another has s second deck with a slide to launch party-goers into the drink.
The largest boat on the floor is a 46-foot Regal Sport Coupe, a sleek craft that features two staterooms, a king-sized bed, twin diesel engines and a convertible hardtop.
Thanks to an expanding economy, Boucher said the boat show has been able to expand the display area beyond the Exhibition Hall to the Steelcase Banquet Rooms and the River Overlook area.
While the convention is filled with boats, the show is likely to disappoint the sailor. This year’s show features only one sailboat tucked away in the northeastern corner of the exhibition hall.
Boucher said sailboat enthusiasts are a different breed whose product demands differ enough from power boaters to warrant a separate trade show. He recommends sailors attend shows in Chicago and other large cities.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/02/grand_rapids_boat_show_opens_t.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – If you want to party on a boat of your own this summer, this is the week to start planning that party, says Henri Boucher, producer of the 69th Annual Grand Rapids Boat Show.
The dealers who brought more than 300 vessels to the show this year are prepared to write deals, said Boucher. The show at the DeVos Place Convention Center kicked off Wednesday, Feb. 19 and continues through Sunday at 6 p.m.
“This is the public’s best opportunity to get the best deal,” said Boucher, whose show has attracted more than 30 dealers representing nearly 100 manufacturers. “If you’re looking for a pontoon boat, you can talk to this guy, and then you talk to this guy and you go back and forth.”
Boucher estimated the dealers at his show will start between 40 and 60 percent of their sales for the year at events like the Grand Rapids Boat Show, the largest and longest-running boat show in Michigan. “The economic impact of this show is $25 million,” he said.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the U.S. recreational boating industry is saw a 5 percent increase in power boat sales last year. The trade group is forecasting a sales increase of 5 percent to 7 percent in 2014.
Pontoon boats are among the hot items at this year’s show which features vessels ranging from 12 feet to 46 feet and include cruisers, runabouts, trawlers, catamarans, fishing boats, ski boats, pontoons, kayaks and one sailboat.
The show also features a display of antique wooden boats and hyrofoils, an alligator wrestling demonstration, a dive tank, boating trailers, docks and and accessories that ranging from life jackets and sports tubes to outboard motors.
Among the pontoon boats, the Harris FloteBote Crowne 250 is at the top of the food chain with a sticker price of $153,000. With two super-charged outboard motors, the 27-foot vessel can seat up to 16 person and roar across the water at 65 mph.
“This is the crème de la crème,” said Robert Dye, a salesman with Skipper Bud’s of Grand Haven, as he relaxed on the deck.
The show also features pontoon boats with a heartier party spirit. One has a complete bar with bolted-down stools and cupholders in the bar for rough seas, another has s second deck with a slide to launch party-goers into the drink.
The largest boat on the floor is a 46-foot Regal Sport Coupe, a sleek craft that features two staterooms, a king-sized bed, twin diesel engines and a convertible hardtop.
Thanks to an expanding economy, Boucher said the boat show has been able to expand the display area beyond the Exhibition Hall to the Steelcase Banquet Rooms and the River Overlook area.
While the convention is filled with boats, the show is likely to disappoint the sailor. This year’s show features only one sailboat tucked away in the northeastern corner of the exhibition hall.
Boucher said sailboat enthusiasts are a different breed whose product demands differ enough from power boaters to warrant a separate trade show. He recommends sailors attend shows in Chicago and other large cities.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/02/grand_rapids_boat_show_opens_t.html
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
baronmarine
Charter Member
has not been a great show for years now. but i will say it was one of the best in many years. the two toons with twin 300's were real cool. ran into a bunch of current and old friends. almost went a second time on saturday with a club group. the 33 cobalt open bow was my top pick. that was one heck of a boat. btw i have to say what the heck 75 - 105k for a ski boat?? we used to ski behind old outboards then a 1977 ski nautique, and we would trick ski, slalom and barefoot just fine.
todd
todd
Last edited:
Buoy
Founding Member
Bobcat
Founding Member
I wasn't going to say anything...:ack2:
Buoy
Founding Member
That thing doesn't deserve to wear the SCARAB badge.
Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
An on-line petition to disallow the name being used may be in order?
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