Miami Boat Show

Melrna · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2010

I am here at the Miami Boat show this weekend. I knew it was going to be small but not this small. Hunter and Catalina did show up which is a surprise as they were not listed on the exhibitors list. Also here is Benneteau, Jenneneu, Island Packet, Hinkley, Passport 47 and E boat. Later this week, I will give you MY opinion on what I saw on these boats. Most if it is NOT good. One can see the economy is not good for these manufacturers as they are cutting corners to reduce cost while trying to preserve the boats.
Latts and Atts party was fun last night. Didn't get a change to chat with Bob but will today since my booth is next their booth.
Vendors. Good deals out there if one has the money: Honda E2000 for $849 walk away price for example. LED lights are coming down because of volume selling the in general marketplace. People are going green I guess.
Sheldon Mast Company.. Many Many Kudos to these fine folks. Had a tons of questions for them. They even taught me how to tear down my roller furling jib to maintain it.
Mastry Yannmar engine guys. I cannot say enough about these guys. Got a mimi diesel engine class on my engine.
More to come next week. Got to get ready for my shift at SSCA booth.

Cruisingdad · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010

Look forward to your thoughts, Melissa.

Brian

PorFin · #3 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010

We attended Saturday. All I can say is that I was disappointed by the relatively small size of the Strictly Sail portion of the show. All I could think after we left was "We took a bus to Key West to rent a car for this?"

While most of the retailers you'd expect to see were represented, many were not. SailCare, SailRite, Froli, etc, were notably absent. Garhauer was there (and got another bite out of my wallet

), as did a couple of other vendors.

There were few sailboats in the water (or ashore for that matter) to look over. Massey brought a handful of Island Packets from St Pete/Bradenton. Catalina had a few there, as did Hunter and Beneteau.

The vast majority of the show both at the Marina and at the Convention Center (a 15 minute shuttle bus ride away) was targeted to the power boats and fishing crowds.

MtnMike · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

We drove over to the Boat Show on Friday. Actually on Thurs., spent the night in Popano Beach and did the show on Fri. Yes, the Strictly Sail area was sparse, but we weren't there to buy a boat so it didn't effect us too much. The vendors definately took a bite out of the wallet, however we did get some great deals. Picked up a couple of Lewmar 16s to mount near the helm to handle our furling lines, a bunch of LEDs for interior lighting, new hatch lenses, snatch blocks at Garhauer, clock and barometer at Weems and Plath and stern solar light at Lats and Ats. Oh yea, Raymarine got a chunk too. Stopped by the SSCA, Melrna, on Fri. morning. Wore our pins all day. Over all opinion is: it was a HUGH show, it was definatly gear to power boaters, if you did your homework there was plenty of places to spend your time and $$, that is if you could find them. Did I mention it was HUGH!!

MtnMike · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

Cruisingdad, tried to call you Sat. on our way back from Miami to take you up on that beer, Missed you again.

Melrna · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010

I did a big write up and placed it under Boat reviews: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-r...tml#post571611.
Just remember as you read, it is just my humble opinion.