Boat shows are often a great opportunity to get special deals, rebates, and incentives on new boats, accessories, trailers, dinghies, gifts, clothing, knick-knacks, electronics and more—all kinds of “stuff” for your boat.
But (and there is usually a “but”), Boat Shows can be confusing, overwhelming, and intimidating, unless you know how a Boat Show is put together and go prepared.
What is a Boat Show?
Show Organizers organize and advertise Boat Shows. The purpose is to bring together companies with marine products and services, and provide an environment, under one roof or in one harbor, where they can “Show and Sell” to you.
Boat shows occur all around the world and can serve as an excellent boat buying resource for comparing different models and brands. Boat shows also allow you to communicate directly with both dealers and manufacturers.
Shows also promote boating knowledge, safety and protecting the environment today for tomorrow’s boaters. You’ll find many other exhibits and seminars, where you can learn all this and more.
Who Will You Talk To?
The exhibitor who pays for the space could be a Manufacturer, a Distributor, a Marina/Dealer, a Broker, a Supplier, or a combination of these. If a Boat Manufacturer is renting the space, it will have Factory Representatives working the booth, as well as marina salespeople representing the various Marinas/Dealers, who are franchised to sell that brand. Each of these marinas may have brought staff from their marinas to work the booth—the owner, salespeople, service staff, family or friends to help out.
Compare
Take advantage of the fantastic opportunity at Boat Shows to view hundreds of NEW boats and other products on display with knowledgeable people to answer your questions. Your plan should be to start with many offerings and narrow down to a short list, expending as little energy and travel time as possible—Boat Shows help you accomplish this.
There are lots of opportunities to explore and discover every type of boat. Once you’re in the Boat Show door, you are free to compare. It is easier to compare makes and models, because they are only a few minutes apart, rather than hours and miles apart. Buyers often walk back and forth across the aisle at Boat Shows many times, as they compare features and benefits.
Ask Questions
After reading “Buy a Boat With Confidence”, you’ll be confident to step into the booth and ask intelligent questions, rather than being too timid to leave the safety of the “Red Carpet” (aisle carpet) for fear of asking “Dumb Questions”. You will also know the type of boat that is right for you, before you get to the Show, and you can narrow down your list from many to several, so that you have a manageable list to research thoroughly.
Ask your questions plus insist on trying out the boat’s physical attributes (e.g. sit at the helm, sit on the toilet, lay on the bed etc. Is it ergonomically designed for you and your family or someone with totally different dimensions?) You can see my list of what to check out in Bonus Report #3 “Inspect It Yourself and When to Hire a Surveyor”. Salespeople will take you seriously—not mistake you for a “Hull Thumper” (a term similar to “Tire Kicker” in the Car Industry to identify an unknowledgeable buyer).
When you walk into the booth, you should see a list of marinas represented. You will be able to identify the people working the booth by reading their name tags or simply asking them their position.
Sometimes you will find that you are talking to a service technician, who may not be a great salesperson, but you can usually learn a lot. Their expertise is service (not sales) and can give you very detailed and technical answers—things you may not learn from a salesperson. Learn all you can from all the people you talk to. Don’t be too quick to discount someone’s knowledge just because they’re not “slick”.
Two decades ago, when I was dumped into a shark pit booth full of hungry salesmen, I donned a manufacturer’s ball cap and carried a chamois as I worked my post around a particular boat. I couldn’t believe how the boat buyers bypassed various salespeople and came directly to me for boat info and pricing. I appeared “non-threatening”. It turned out to be a “win-win” for me and for them. So don’t judge how much people may know by their appearance.
When talking with a sales rep, be honest about your level of boating knowledge and experience. Be straight and he/she will respond with a positive attitude and answer questions at the appropriate level.
Ask lots of questions like what equipment is included in the Boat Show special. The more you ask, the more the salesperson feels knowledgeable, and the more he’ll tell you, and the more you’ll learn. Ask the same questions of several reps at different booths. You’ll be surprised how much more you will learn.
New Boats at Boat Shows
Buying a new boat at a Boat Show is a more simple process, if you have financing in order especially these days when credit is harder to come by. However, if you are trading in your used boat, the salesperson will set a time to come and inspect your trade and the deal won’t be finalized until then.
Usually this inspection and appraisal of your trade will be done after the Show closes, unless the boat is nearby.
Used Boats at Boat Shows
If you are looking for a used boat, check with the Marinas, Brokers and Multiple Listing Services who are exhibiting and request specification sheets for boats of interest. Having all your questions answered and equipment lists to compare here can save you miles of driving, money and frustration later.
Show Schedules
Start with these websites and add some of your own to learn the Show schedules and more:
http://boating.ncf.ca/shows.html - Canadian Boat Shows & Events
http://www.boatingontheweb.com/ - US and Canadian Boat Shows
http://www.boatshows.com – Discover Boating/NMMA Boat Show Tour USA & Cda
http://www.boattest.com – New Boat Tests and Reviews
http://www.ifbso.com/ - International Boat Show Organizers Worldwide
http://www.marinesource.com – Boat Show Schedules Coast to Coast USA
http://www.torontoboatshow.com/ - The Toronto Boat Shows – Ontario Canada
Take advantage of all the Shows in your area over the next few months and learn all you can about the boat, trailer, accessory or whatever.
Unbelievable Deals
As we advised in a previous newsletter “Cash is King”, look for spectacularly unbelievable deals on inventory boats, that either the dealer has or the manufacturer has. They need cash flow, and will part with inventory for a whole lot less than a similarly equipped boat that has to be manufactured.
If the dealer you want to buy from doesn’t have what you want in stock, insist that he have the factory check all the other dealers inventory before you pay more. They may be able to work together, just like car dealers swap cars. You may have to be flexible on a few option, but you’ll save big time.
Have fun at the Shows, Buy Wisely and Enjoy Boating!
Have fun shopping, learning, bargaining, negotiating. Buy the right boat with knowledge and you will have fun boating!
by Doug Dawson
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