Philly boat show - just got back

[Jim Seamans]

In a few words - very disappointing. It was about a third of it's size from two years ago. Very few vendors, West Marine was missing among other players you would expect. As I stop and ponder for a moment, I think the biggest vendor was Latts & Atts(floor space)! A bunch of vendors trying sell vacations.Major boats were - Hunter, Beneteau, Catalina, Jenneau, Island Packet(2 boats), and Tartan.At this rate I don't think this show is going to survive.JimS/V Java

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

I looked for the sling Jim...

on Friday. Didn't see you. I agree on your sentiments on the show, but hey, it's better than sitting in on the computer watching it snow!

 

[Phil]

Agree

I can see that it is most likely very expensive to move large boats into position so one can understand a limited boat turn out. However, most the people there aren't there to by a new boat. We talked to a number of friends at the show and many where looking for other items, GPS (no West Marine) sail jewelry, wind scoops etc. and the vendors weren't there. Don't know whether its apathy on the vendor’s behalf or that of the show/convention center but it will not last if they continue down their current path. Sad because it’s a nice winter break.

 

[droopy]

I liked it

I found it to be not nice and small and not a lot of people. I would have liked it if more boat manufactures were represented but what can you do. I hear they were selling boats and that is a good thing for the show!

 

[Tom Brown]

I looked for you, Jim

I was there on Saturday. I agree that it was a bit disappointing but we had a good time anyway. The local show used to be in Atlantic City and when I first started going to that(12-15 yrs ago?) it was huge. Then it started to get smaller and smaller each year until it closed. I didn't get to the first Philly show so I don't know if it's declining or not. I have to admit, this is the first boat show I've walked out of without spending any money! There was nothing there that I wanted.I didn't see Jim's sling on Saturday.Toms/v Orion's Child

 

[RichH]

Signs and symptoms of a dying boat show ......

How to realize that a boat show is dying:When the Harken booth floorspace is less than 6ft X 6ft. When NO GPS, autopilot, etc. manufacturers were represented.When not a single sport-boat could be found. NO cordage manufacturers can be found. When not a single national sailmaker was in attendance. When you could visit ALL the equipment booths in less than 40 minutes.... even Worst Marine did not have a booth. I did drop many boat bucks at the Garhauer booth because the Harken booth was so crowded ... with the two other people there. Oh well at least the seminars were well attended and informativeand at least there were a few 'quality' boats there although priced WELL beyond my level. This show is definitely on the wane .... for next time I offered for all to have it my house.

 

[KorculaChris]

I went on Sunday

I drove down from Long Island on Sunday Morning, arriving just before the doors opened at 10:00. There were about 60-70 people waiting to get in. As mentioned, Latts and Atts had about the biggest floor space, and right next to the bar!!I went on the couple of boats I wanted to see before the crowds arrived, spent some time chatting with an English chap about stitch and glue construction, wandered around the vendors (nothing I really needed) and left after an hour and a half and drove back. 5 hours driving for one and a half hours there.Hunter had the fleet there including the 49, Beneteau and Jeanneau also. If I were looking for a coastal boat it would have been good, but I'm looking at ideas for offshore 30-34 footers. The Caliber 35LRC is neat and well appointed with intelligent siting of many important functions and it was worth going just to crawl around.

 

[Ian McGain]

I came, I saw, I went home

Missed the Phila show two years ago due to the snow storm.Went this year, paid $22.00 to park. Should have taken the train.Arrived 10:00, left 2:30- went on three maker's sailboats and crusied the venors. Lines moved at a measured pace as no one was in a hurry. Place was not that crowded. No jam in the aisles. Tickets: half-price @$8.00 from a dealer. $12.00 for a giant pretzel and two lemonades. $40.00 for two for a day- not bad We do Annapolis for about the same price but this is January.The people I felt bad for were the vendors. $1,000 per table plus Phila union labor the plug in any electrical or move a box.I did not see any return on investment. I doubt if this show will be back in Phila again.

 

[Alex]

Toronto International Boat show

Next year, try the Toronto boat show. It's HUGH. It took me 7 hours to just cover the ground. All indoors including an indoor lake. No kidding.http://www.torontoboatshow.com/

 

[Benny]

Had the same experience at the St. Pete

show; it could be the boat market is shrinking. It seems tome that it could be the economy, increasing restrictions and dissapearing marinas. The Miami show will be the test; If boat manufacturers do not show up there in force with their full lines start abandoning ship.

 

[mortyd]

philly boat show

twenty four dollars for parking? for the whole day? i live at central park west and 72nd st; you don't want to know.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Good point..

West is closing stores all over, so perhaps the show's just are not as profitable as we think for them and the others? I thought the manuf's were well represented, and Hunter by far the best. It was the vendors, or lack thereof, that was disappointing. My friend went with cash in the pocket he was itching to spend - he didn't.As for parking, I already know...that's why I don't live there...

 

[gpd955]

Cash in Pocket

I also went with a bit of cash in pocket thinking I could pick up a few things at "boat show prices". I priced many items out and went home, checked on Defender and some other sites and found the same things for even cheaper than the "boat show prices". No one would even haggle or work deals. The vendors were somewhat of a disappointment but the boats were great. I went all 4 days (Thurs with my 3 y/o, didn't get much done, Fri by myself, and Sat/Sun with the Admiral and friends for seminars, social activities and to try to make deals).It was a good way to pass time while the boat sits, but I expected better.

 

[John Osborne]

The Seminars had value

The foregoing comments are correct to the best of my recall. I attended on Saturday 1/20 and attended four seminar sessions. The seminars were well worth the $8 that I paid. I too should have taken SEPTA.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Seminars are the main reason we go

One the better speakers was sick so we didn't get to hear Lou Carrerto(sp).Otherwise....JimS/V Java

 

[sailsinger]

Philly Boat Show Thurs.

My family and I live in the Philly region (even though we sail in LI. I took my Dad to the show on Thurs. afternoon; took PATCO (S. Jersey) in to avoid parking. We had mixed feelings. It wasn't crowded so we had no problem getting on the boats and the dealers were happy to talk to us. We were really dissapointed that West Marine and other vendors were not there as we had cash to spend as well. My feeling is that it will be hard for them to put this on in the next years although I still enjoyed going; better than sitting in the house dreaming about sailing!/ChuckS/V Windsongs'85 H23

 

[mortyd]

philly boat show

don, it's amazing how many people who can't afford it don't want to live here.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

Yeah morty...

To further your point, I know a heck of a lot of people who could afford it many times over, and choose/chose not to. And lots who can't afford it and try to. Guess it's all a matter of money and choice, eh?