Boat shows this year?

El Capitan

El Capitan

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2014
3,829
Chicago IL./Vero Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
Engines
120HP Mercruiser
Well I’m done boat shopping. This market is absurd especially for used boats. The differential from new to 2-3 year old boat is minimal right now.

Im considering buying at a boat show.

Has anyone purchased a boat at a boat show?

Are we having boat shows this year,?
 
I got an email from the NY Boat show people asking about my opinions of virtual shows. I'd guess that will be a trend. Soundings Magazine is doing a lot of virtual boat shows / tours.

I know of lots of people that buy at shows. I was offered a good price for a new boat in dealer inventory while at the NY show this year, but we weren't ready. 10 days ago there were 14 used models of that boat on Yacht World; today 11 of them are listed as sale pending.

My broker agreed that the market is super hot right now. He seems to think there will be a Newport show, however. He suggested that if I'm considering moving up to let him take my boat to the show.
 
yup, I'm hoping they do the show in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. There's a dealer with a good reputation where we're moving to in Florida. Would love to buy right at the show.
 
b_arrington said:
I got an email from the NY Boat show people asking about my opinions of virtual shows. I'd guess that will be a trend. Soundings Magazine is doing a lot of virtual boat shows / tours.

I know of lots of people that buy at shows. I was offered a good price for a new boat in dealer inventory while at the NY show this year, but we weren't ready. 10 days ago there were 14 used models of that boat on Yacht World; today 11 of them are listed as sale pending.

My broker agreed that the market is super hot right now. He seems to think there will be a Newport show, however. He suggested that if I'm considering moving up to let him take my boat to the show.
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Brad,
Newport is mostly outside and on water so they probably can manage crowds better than an inside venue. I haven't been to the Newport show in about 20 years. We've always been boating trying to get the last good days in before winter.

Two friends just sold their boats in a matter of days, one a Sabre 34, the other a Legacy 34 both through Dimillos. One of them is moving up to a newer Sabre 48. I suspect the other guy will do something similar as well. The broker discounted the 48 selling price by $ 200K and is replacing all of the soft goods, mattresses, cushions, and refinishing all of the brightwork. So if you are planning to move up now might be a good opportunity. How has the value of your boat faired? I saw a listing the other day on one similar to ours that is about what ours was listed for last year.
 
My first two boats I bought at a boat show. Even though we agreed on pricing at the show, I picked the boats up at the dealership after the show. I don't think you can actually drive it home from the show.
 
The used boat market is crazy right now. The NADA value for my 200 Overnighter has actually increased $500 from when I bought it in October. I know many people who are selling boats for more than they paid for them. It's definitely a seller's market right now.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Brad,
Newport is mostly outside and on water so they probably can manage crowds better than an inside venue. I haven't been to the Newport show in about 20 years. We've always been boating trying to get the last good days in before winter.

Two friends just sold their boats in a matter of days, one a Sabre 34, the other a Legacy 34 both through Dimillos. One of them is moving up to a newer Sabre 48. I suspect the other guy will do something similar as well. The broker discounted the 48 selling price by $ 200K and is replacing all of the soft goods, mattresses, cushions, and refinishing all of the brightwork. So if you are planning to move up now might be a good opportunity. How has the value of your boat faired? I saw a listing the other day on one similar to ours that is about what ours was listed for last year.
Click to expand...

Henry, my broker is with Dimillo's . He sent me recent sold boat reports from YachtWorld for my boat year. The prices were a pleasant surprise. I'm not sure I'm ready to move up right now. Going to a BC 37 would be quite a leap, although my wife loves the layout. I"m currently watching a crew install a pool in my back yard...

I did learn that Dimillo's has a 37 that's rigged and ready to go. The long-time customer had sudden health issues and could not take delivery. Rather tempting to make it work.
 
I have bought 2 boats at shows. Looked like I was getting a good deal.

Later in the season when i took them back for the 10 hour service, I looked at new ones in the showroom and they were selling at the same price.
 
The one thing that you can get at boat shows that are not usually offered any other time is boat show related manufacturer discounts/rebates/promotions.

i.e. electronics manufacturers may offer deeper discounts on rep-installed systems on new boats so that gets passed on to you, or Yamaha often adds extra warranty years on new engines sold on new boats.

Those discounts are not offered other times so it may be a chance to get something more. Other than that the discounts offered by the dealer are most likely what they offer all the time.
 
swaterhouse said:
The one thing that you can get at boat shows that are not usually offered any other time is boat show related manufacturer discounts/rebates/promotions.

i.e. electronics manufacturers may offer deeper discounts on rep-installed systems on new boats so that gets passed on to you, or Yamaha often adds extra warranty years on new engines sold on new boats.

Those discounts are not offered other times so it may be a chance to get something more. Other than that the discounts offered by the dealer are most likely what they offer all the time.
Click to expand...
I went to the Newport show in 2018. The best, most amazing part was all the different vendors. I saw and learned a ton.

This year I went to the NY boat show. It was way smaller than the last time I went and there were very few vendors. I was looking for some specific accessories and was disappointed not to find any.
 
swaterhouse said:
The one thing that you can get at boat shows that are not usually offered any other time is boat show related manufacturer discounts/rebates/promotions.

i.e. electronics manufacturers may offer deeper discounts on rep-installed systems on new boats so that gets passed on to you, or Yamaha often adds extra warranty years on new engines sold on new boats.

Those discounts are not offered other times so it may be a chance to get something more. Other than that the discounts offered by the dealer are most likely what they offer all the time.
Click to expand...

That’s for sure on discounts. We ended up with $1500 cash back from Raymarine on the electronics we bought at this year’s Boston show. I guess we did buy a boat as well. We ordered a new Zodiac dinghy and motor. Still haven’t gotten the boat, the state registration is in Covid limbo.
 
We're about to take our boat to Seattle to list it with a broker. In conversations with him he said that these days, every day is like a boat show.
 
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