It’s Show Time!
I can’t believe that another year has come and gone, and it is time for the 2003 boat show season. It has been quite a year, don’t you think, as we’ve lived through some difficult times while also making some great memories.
On top of tumultuous world events, it seems there have been enough distractions to last a lifetime. Summer weather was mostly awful for those of us on this coast, while the West Coast also experienced its share of unusual weather systems. And the Pacific Northwest went through its longest dry spell in history. As many people reported, it was kind of hard to get enthusiastic about boating fun when forest fires made it seem the world was ready to explode.
In another change from the bountiful times of the past decade, several boat builders have gone out of business this year, and some stiffed creditors and customers many thousands of dollars. I’m afraid that by the time you read this, a couple of other companies will have faded away, almost certainly by year’s end. Strong, well-managed boat builder have made it through the challenging past couple of years, but those living hand to mouth had a most difficult time of it. Some could not survive.
If there is a lesson here it is a general warning for the boat-buying consumer to stay financially aware when dealing with any company selling boats or products. As much as we tend to focus on the passion of this activity, it makes it even more difficult when trusting customers lose a deposit (or worse) when a company decides to shut its doors in the middle of the night and melt into the darkness.
This unfortunate event remains a decided exception, of course, as the marine industry overall is somehow making ends meet. The Darwinian process of culling out the weak is a natural event in any industry.
I suggest you live life and explore your dreams by attending a boat show this fall. Strong attendance at boat shows potentially generates orders, which is key for a vibrant marine industry.
Coincidentally, I’m happy to report that several builders now acknowledge the need for entry-level boats that don’t cost millions. The average buyer has some new options and may now find some truly affordable models. We’ll bring you details of these new boats as we get the opportunity.
To get my season rolling, I attended the Amsterdam show in early September. It reminded me that with the exception of Grand Banks and Linssen Yachts, we Americans don’t see the hundreds of boats built for cruising the European continent. And the trawlers we take for granted as cornerstones of our U.S. lifestyle are noticeably absent in Europe. This makes for a great show experience for me, as I always see something new.
The 2003 season in the U.S. began for me at Newport, Rhode Island, followed by the new New York/New Jersey show at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City. Annapolis follows soon after, then it’s off the Florida for the Ft. Lauderdale show.
Some of the new boats I’ll see at these shows include the new Beneteau, the updated Mirage, Ted Hood’s new Power Cat, the latest on Selene’s new Archer 36, the new Mainship 30, Krogen’s new Express, the rugged-looking Symbol 44, updates in both American Tug and PDQ 34, and the newly refined models from Grand Banks. I’m sure there are more to list, such as Nordic’s new 52, but it’s clear the veritable buffet of boat choices continues, in spite of occasional unhappy closure and tough economic times that keep Alan Greenspan busy.
Most agree the horizon looks brighter than it did at this time last year. And the ranks of couples joining our community continue to expand, especially as mature sailors make the swtich to power cruising.
We have much to be thankful for, and I hope you to enjoy the show season!
Editor-In-Chief