Ft. Myers Boat Show- Powerboats Only

[Vectordirector]

Hi all,

Zipped down 41 to the show Thursday morning arriving at about 10:15.  The main garage was already full and I had to park on the roof of the one two blocks NE.  No big deal and there was a shuttle waiting to drive over to the entrance.  So that was great.  $7 for parking and $10 to get in and away I went.  Before I go any further, I should warn you:  this is going to be about powerboats because THERE WERE NO SAILBOATS.  If you don't care about powerboats, you can ignore this post.   I found it odd and disturbing that there wasn't one new sailboat to be seen.  I know it is a relatively small show as Florida goes, but wow.  I guess someone decided it costs too much and Annapolis is really it for sailboats and was only a month ago.  I hope they are busy building boats. 

The show was basically every kind of power boat from 8ft dinks to at least one that was around 70ft.  A Monte Carlo, I believe.   It didn't have a price tag on it.  Gotta ask.....   For me, the winner of worst boat design was a 30 ft tri-toon with twin 300HP Yamaha outboards.  Forgot the manufacturer, but they said it had an MSRP of over ..... wait for it..... this is not a typo....$205,000.  The boat show special price was only.... wait for it.... again, no typo........$179,900.  This was indicated with a little yellow price tag like you would buy at Office Max.  A $200K PONTOON BOAT boggles the mind especially when you consider that twin 300's run somewhere around $60K. I can't imagine what this boat could have that cost another $150K.  I guess the real question is who would buy it?  It is a floating 300 sq. ft. patio that goes 55mph.  I walked by it a couple times and there didn't seem to be much interest in it.   Most just glanced at the price tag, looked at the boat and didn't even stop walking.  I didn't bother to board her, and not many people did.   

I looked at quite a few boats, some that I was interested in I dug into the consoles and looked at the wiring, hoses, pumps, etc.  All the boats I dug into seemed to use much higher quality installation of wiring, plumbing and general fit and finish then I remember from 30 years ago when only the top tier boats took the time to do it correctly.  While this does add weight and costs more,  it also makes the boats much more reliable, safer, and easier to service.   The hulls I walked around on seemed very thick and well constructed, but what do I know. Shiny new hulls always look good, it is how they look in ten years that is important. 

The recession destroyed a lot of boat builders, big ones, small ones, good ones and bad ones.   Most of the good ones survived.    There will always be "cheap" boats that people will buy.  The "cheap" boats being offered today seem to be night and day better built than the "cheap" boats of 30 years ago, most of which are fiberglass dust by now.  This was my impression, anyway.  The show was packed, the industry seems to be in an up period, for however long it lasts this time.   

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this was my take from what I saw:  I will say there were few what I would call "pretty" boats.  Most are excellent designs with wonderful interior layouts, tons of toys (misters, anyone?), lots of power, nicely built, but... boring.  Not a lot of style from these mostly large US manufacturers.  Well, that big pontoon did look pretty racy, in a garish sort of way, kinda like a Cadillac Pickup.   There were at least 50 center console fishing boats from at least 10 different manufacturers.  They all looked alike.  Same with the pontoons, deck boats, bowriders, etc.  All extremely functional but no style.  They all look like fiberglass bath tubs or swimming pools. 

With the exception of World Cat (which I love, but can't swing a new one) who showed Suzukis, it seemed like Yamahas were on every other outboard boat.  There may have been a few with Mercs or Rudes but Yamaha dominated this show.   I don't know if this is just a Florida thing with our local dealers but I found it interesting. 

Lots of "Yachts" at the docks.  Some may have been screaming deals, I have no idea.  Some were very pretty.  Some not so much.  All are outrageous money pits. 

Show Summary/What I learned:  New power boat prices are insane, just like everything else boating related.  High quality new 23 ft. boats are $70K+.  Not happening for me.  I will shop for gently used, just like I did with my Eclipse, and get one for half that.  There is no shortage of nice gently used boats for sale in SW Florida.  I'm leaning toward a 22-26 ft. Glacier Bay or World Cat.  There are a few for sale down here.  Just gotta find the right one.   


Stay sane,

Vectordirector     

[Cats Paw]

Great report on the show.

Most the boats sold this time around will be on the repo lot next season with a much better price. IMO

[Vectordirector]

I think that depends on one's location.  SW Florida is booming right now. 

[Bob23]

Vec:
   Did you see and Ranger Tugs at the show? I don't go to many shows but there was a small one in Atlantic City, NJ a few years back. First thing I saw when I walked in was a pair of pretty Ranger Tugs. Really not bad prices and they are pretty boats.
Bob23

[Vectordirector]

Yes there were a couple of the Ranger Tugs on display along with a couple of the Cutwater versions, which I think are even prettier than the Rangers.  There is a dealer in Naples (Wefings.com) that handles them along with other "salty" looking boats.  The Rossiter 23 from Canada was very pretty, Eastern, Rossborough, Seaway, etc.  were all on display.   I love the downeast style boats, they look like boats, not Clorox bottles.   I agree that they, while not inexpensive, aren't crazy priced like many of the boats at the show,  you can see where the money went.   There aren't many of them down here in SW Florida and it is a treat to see one.  I've seen a handful of the Rangers running around in the harbor, they do catch the eye because of how rare they are here.   I see everything from kayaks to 40ft offshore quad outboard $500k+ fishing machines.  Lots of 40ft cruisers too. Sailboats of all sizes.  The water is mostly pretty shallow (canals are about 6 ft.) so we don't get anything much bigger than 50ft.  Com-pacs are plentiful including one 35 that has been for sale for over a year.  Beautiful boat but too much boat for me.  I see no reason to upgrade from the Eclipse and I'm narrowing down my powerboat choices for those days with no wind.  I prefer smaller (22-26ft) fairly simple outboard boats with less "stuff" that can break.    Way too many "floating condos" out on the water these days, all designed to please SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED.  Most of them never leave the dock.   

Stay warm,

Vectordirector