'09 Cleveland show prices & pics

[Quint4]

The Cleveland boat show was cut back quite a bit. Sea Ray left the bridge boats at home, way less vendors, about 1/4 of the I-X center was curtained off. We had a good time regardless as I love lookin' at boats and boat stuff. Many dealers brought in used boats for the first time in the 52 yr history of the show.Here are some prices and a few random pics....the marine max signage didn't photograph well but you can read the prices and model numbers. I have some other brand prices if interested.
the 43DA was beautiful ! and the biggest marine max brought in

the I-X center is a great venue..check out the ferris wheel that goes up through the roof !

Made a stop by the Rock & Roll hall of Fame...it is right on the lake next to the Browns stadium...it was 20 degrees and snowing

 

[Buckeye Boater]

Quint,

Thanks for the update!

I can't believe that they were selling many boats at those prices. I know for a fact the 240SD was $55k at the show last year. This year it is $13k more!

Based on your photo from the ferris wheel, the show floor does look smaller and bare.

We will probably make the trip next weekend. Like you, we like to look at boats and all the stuff that goes with them.

 

[comsnark]

Anybody know what the "price increase" was for this year? Hard to increase your discount to 40% if the MSRP doesn't go up substantially. . .

 

[Converse48]

$795 for the 43DA? Did I read that right? If so, that's insane.

 

[Quint4]

yep 800k for the 43DA !...here is a link to prices I put up from last years Cleveland show if you want to compare. Saturday was day two of the show and there was a sold sign on the 330. They would not allow it to be boarded...I guess somebody bought it instead of laying out another 90K for the 350.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6508&highlight=cleveland+boat+show

hey you get a cockpit TV !

 

[comsnark]

I bet they put the "sold" sign on themselves just to make people think that people were snapping up these "values".

Or . . .they really found a sucker.

 

[Converse48]

Mr. Sea Ray to Junior Executive: "I've got a great idea... no one can afford, or get financing for, our product so let's raise prices!"

Junior Executive: "You're a genius, Sir."

 

[comsnark]

no. . I think it is the complete abandonment of the "value" buyer.

Why sell 10 with $10K profit each when you can sell 1 with $150K profit?

Also, the guy who buys at $150K premium is FAR more likely to sign up for a $600 oil changes (each . . .$1200 for two engines), and pay seperately for haulout, powerwashing, and blocking.

 

[Zorba]

I bet they put the "sold" sign on themselves just to make people think that people were snapping up these "values".

Or . . .they really found a sucker.

They found a sucker.... We were there Saturday as well and i was looking for my salesman just to say hi, and low and behold there he was at the finance table selling the 330 to that sucker.

We caught up later with him and basically said there was no negotiation he just came in said he liked that boat with that price and bought it.

I will say that the show is much smaller than normal and all the dealers are struggling. Marine Max has basically cut there entire staff. For example their delivery captain who up until last year filled his entire summer 7 days a week delivering boats is now the parts manager. They used to have 3 parts managers. The only thing keeping them in business in my mind is that corporate does not want to lose their Sea ray presense in the Great Lakes. Skipper Buds has the rest of the Sea Ray dealerships around these parts.

Speaking of Skipper Buds their boat show budget for last year was $175,000. This year it was $50,000. After day one of hte boat show they were $20,000 over budget. I hope they sell some boats or the rest of them are going to get canned. They have already cut most of their clerical staff and a few shop guys.

 

[comsnark]

We caught up later with him and basically said there was no negotiation he just came in said he liked that boat with that price and bought it.

One guy with $150K profit is better than 10 people providing $10K profit.

 

[Zorba]

One guy with $150K profit is better than 10 people providing $10K profit.

Exactly. Even if they sell 1 boat t "boat show price" they are breaking even for the show.

 

[Big Al]

Not much difference in the price of the 38DA and the 350DA ($332 K vs $329 K after discount). I guess you have to pay for the new design of the 350.

 

[Beer Thirty]

We get two boat shows here. It used to be three!

Can't wait, more things for me to drool over that I can't afford! :grin:

 

[KayKook]

$795 for the 43DA? Did I read that right? If so, that's insane.

They had this 44 at the Atlanta show priced at 486K.

 

[mawyatt]

Not much difference in the price of the 38DA and the 350DA ($332 K vs $329 K after discount). I guess you have to pay for the new design of the 350.

That's why we went with the 38DA. I went back and forth between them at last years Miami show. The 350 has some nice features (I like the stern seats and the swival cockpit seats) but still had the tight engine spacing, the 38DA seemed to us as more boat for the $. This is exactly why the show is important to anyone considering another boat, it's great for comparisons.