Hunter showed up with only two larger boats. A new 33 and a 2011 39. Catalina, Benneteau and Jenneau all bought their bigger boats over 40 feet. At least Hunter sold the 33 at the show.
Disappointing Chicago sailboat show
- Thread starter Ken Honeycutt
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I guess is the economic climate, I have seen a reduction of models displayed at boat shows by the major boat builders. I don't think the cold weather may have anything to do with that.
Is that Hunter or the Dealer. Boats at the Toronto Boat Show are brought by the dealer. They had the new 33, e36 and 45DS on display. Space is money.
Same dealer aslo had 2 Bavarias and 2 Dufours on display as they also carry those brands.
I also saw Sold signs on at least 3-4 of the above boats at the show.
Catalina, Jenneau, Bene, Hanse were also at the show from those dealers.
Numbers are down from years ago, but similar to recent years.
Same dealer aslo had 2 Bavarias and 2 Dufours on display as they also carry those brands.
I also saw Sold signs on at least 3-4 of the above boats at the show.
Catalina, Jenneau, Bene, Hanse were also at the show from those dealers.
Numbers are down from years ago, but similar to recent years.
Shadows Of The Past
Yea, with inventories as slim as possible, the number of dealers shrunken, and a public who isn't buying as much as often, shows on the left coast are a shadow of their previous selves. Candidly, I have quit going to most, and do go mostly to say hello. What I personally miss the most is the hardware vendors. There were only a handful at the last show I attended.
Yea, with inventories as slim as possible, the number of dealers shrunken, and a public who isn't buying as much as often, shows on the left coast are a shadow of their previous selves. Candidly, I have quit going to most, and do go mostly to say hello. What I personally miss the most is the hardware vendors. There were only a handful at the last show I attended.
The boats at any given show are what the local dealers have in their inventory. I guess Annapolis and Miami may be different for Hunter because they can get other boats there on their hulls.
From a former dealer perspective, Let me explain.
The cost of floor space has increased substantially over the years. At some shows, union dictates who can or cannot for example plug in an extension chord. Also there are costs associated with freight, set up, labor, insurance, etc... With the number of sales down, it is difficult to bring every boat that is built. If a dealer is displaying more than one line, then it can be more expensive.
One year, I brought the small Catalina and Hunter sailboats plus one large Hunter to Annapolis. I spent well over $25,000 and that did not compare to others who spent more.
The good thing at winter shows, you can order a boat with what you want on it plus get better deales maybe from a money aspect and/or gear plus have it delivered on a timely basis. So when I hear people complain, how would you like to step up to the plate and pay the bills because the last few years I was in shows, monitarily, I lost my shirt tail just to display boats so people could look at them.
crazy dave condon
The cost of floor space has increased substantially over the years. At some shows, union dictates who can or cannot for example plug in an extension chord. Also there are costs associated with freight, set up, labor, insurance, etc... With the number of sales down, it is difficult to bring every boat that is built. If a dealer is displaying more than one line, then it can be more expensive.
One year, I brought the small Catalina and Hunter sailboats plus one large Hunter to Annapolis. I spent well over $25,000 and that did not compare to others who spent more.
The good thing at winter shows, you can order a boat with what you want on it plus get better deales maybe from a money aspect and/or gear plus have it delivered on a timely basis. So when I hear people complain, how would you like to step up to the plate and pay the bills because the last few years I was in shows, monitarily, I lost my shirt tail just to display boats so people could look at them.
crazy dave condon
The Strictly Sail - Oakland (http://www.strictlysailpacific.com/shows/pacific.asp?show=pa) usually has a nice array of current models. It has been smaller in the last 3-5 years, which is probably due to the current economy. The hardware vendors are also not as plentiful, but that is what we now have.
These outfits that put on these shows should consider lowering the fees to attract more vendors to participate, but that is probably not in their vision. It would take several parties agreeing on lower revenues to protect their events in the future. Once the organizers decide to move on to less expensive venues, they may see the light.
These outfits that put on these shows should consider lowering the fees to attract more vendors to participate, but that is probably not in their vision. It would take several parties agreeing on lower revenues to protect their events in the future. Once the organizers decide to move on to less expensive venues, they may see the light.
Steve;
Speaking from the Annapolis Show, they keep going up on pricing. You are right about the show promoter but also consider what Annapolis does to them every year regarding charges as well as everything else that goes up as well. Of course the price of hamburgers go up at show time as well. Thank you for understanding the position the dealers and manufacturers are put into as they have no control.
You know Hunter has a hybrid power sailor which I introduced in 2009 for them. When the show is over and the cannon goes off, the outer dock is opened up to let the boats leave. I was one of the first on the Hunter Edge with a 75 hp engine on the back. Well, you know my nickname. I lined up the boat as if to take off from an aircraft carrier and put the pedal to the metal and came up on plane creating wake and throwing water on people to include the Harbor Patrol Boat in a no wake zone as well as rocking the docks and boats. Well, they chased me down to include DNR. In my North Carolina twang apologizing as if I did not know. I talked myself out of a ticket only if they knew I had been coming for over 30 years. That was a way to say goodby. I got so many calls and many could not believe I didn't get a ticket. The crowd cheered me for doing that. I jsut could not resist that stunt.
crazy dave condon
Speaking from the Annapolis Show, they keep going up on pricing. You are right about the show promoter but also consider what Annapolis does to them every year regarding charges as well as everything else that goes up as well. Of course the price of hamburgers go up at show time as well. Thank you for understanding the position the dealers and manufacturers are put into as they have no control.
You know Hunter has a hybrid power sailor which I introduced in 2009 for them. When the show is over and the cannon goes off, the outer dock is opened up to let the boats leave. I was one of the first on the Hunter Edge with a 75 hp engine on the back. Well, you know my nickname. I lined up the boat as if to take off from an aircraft carrier and put the pedal to the metal and came up on plane creating wake and throwing water on people to include the Harbor Patrol Boat in a no wake zone as well as rocking the docks and boats. Well, they chased me down to include DNR. In my North Carolina twang apologizing as if I did not know. I talked myself out of a ticket only if they knew I had been coming for over 30 years. That was a way to say goodby. I got so many calls and many could not believe I didn't get a ticket. The crowd cheered me for doing that. I jsut could not resist that stunt.
crazy dave condon
You are right about extension cords and such at union convention halls. I needed to plug in an air compressor and it took two different unions to get it hooked up. An electrical union, and a plumbers union for the air hose. Mind you, these were simple hook ups. I was not alowed to plug my own hose into my own compressor, or allowed to plug in my 110 v compressor into a regular wall socket.
That is why some shows have moved and one place that is true what you describe is the Jacob Javits Center.
Enuf said on the subject.
Enuf said on the subject.
Show Halls...
I did trade shows in various industries for over 25 years, including all major city venues. I've had plugs cut off ends of extension cords, light bulbs broken, shipping crates "lost", and bribed more than one dockmaster to get out of the show hall the day the show ended. The worst were New York and Chicago.
Dave is so correct in describing the costs associated with exhibiting at major shows. It's a wonder a small dealer can even afford to exhibit a single boat, much less a wide selection of sizes.
Way to go, Dave! Leave with a bang so all remember by living up to your nickname! I'm so jealous...
I did trade shows in various industries for over 25 years, including all major city venues. I've had plugs cut off ends of extension cords, light bulbs broken, shipping crates "lost", and bribed more than one dockmaster to get out of the show hall the day the show ended. The worst were New York and Chicago.
Dave is so correct in describing the costs associated with exhibiting at major shows. It's a wonder a small dealer can even afford to exhibit a single boat, much less a wide selection of sizes.
Way to go, Dave! Leave with a bang so all remember by living up to your nickname! I'm so jealous...
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