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So this afternoon we trecked down to Portland to go to the boat show at the Civic Center. I was looking forward to looking at some new Whalers and dreaming. Much to my displeasure there was not one whaler there. We looked at Eastern's, Pursuit's, Grady whites, Key West's and Sailfish. Plus we saw a bunch of bow riders and pontoons that we passed by. Needless to say I was disappointed. We have great BW dealers here in Maine and was surprised they didn't get in on the action. I guess I will have to find a Costco to see one.

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X2 I was disapointed at the lack of Boston Whaler participation at the Dallas boat show too. There was one 15 ft there but that was it.

I don't understand why We don't see more of BW at the boat shows. Are they waiting to attend the biggest and most popular shows??

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My oldest son is the General Manager of a HHGregg in Jax,FL and a month or so ago on one of his few days off he was excited about going ot a local boat show. He too was disappointed with the BW participation. Only two BW's; A midsize Dauntless and one other (I can't remember which).
I know the local dealers have to "pay the fare" but you'd think with the BW factory within a two hour drive there would be more participation.
I'm not finding fault or casting stones, just adding my 2 cents.

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You think with a product as good as a Whaler you would want to show it off or at least allow perspective buyers to compare it to others. I honestly was very impressed with Eastern Boats. They had Five nice models there and started with basic to luxury. I am still a Whaler guy and will always have one but am sad that others couldn't see how great they are.

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Rick -

I went to the Portland show 2 years ago and was very surprised and disappointed. 3 boats; 170, 150, 130. For their other lines they had many more boats from 20'-45'.

Port Harbor Marine is a master dealer but does more sales of their other brands.

I think a contributing factor is the Civic Center is a terrible venue. Small, poor display space and very unattractive.

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Not sure of why they go to some and not others but they always come to South Fl.

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Port Harbor was there with a booth showing pictures of their used inventory. The Civic Center is a bad location for the show. It was still better than the show in Augusta. I think I may go to Boston for that show.

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i haven't gone to any boat shows lately, but have in the past, both at Corpus Christi, and 2 years ago, to Houston. Neither had any BW showings, so i ceased to go. I don't understand it either.

Duf

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I suspect it is akin to rolling the dice in an economy like this. BW does have an excellent reputation but I am sure the company and dealers are feeling the pinch.

I have been to 2 shows in NYC but not for many years. I did notice an abundance of high dollar luxury vessels as well as plenty of entry level crafts but not much in between where BW has the greatest market.

Around these parts where I live the majority of the boats I see are best suited to Line the bottom of the Bay! I can count on one hand with fingers left over the number of BW's I see on my local lake all season long.

I did find it pretty funny that the local marina nearest to me is not a BW dealer but in talking with the owner he did mention he own 2 boats himself and both are Whalers.

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Not sure about the local show her (Orlando, FL) but the local dealer doesn't have any Whalers on his lot! Must be a sign of the times.

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Providence, RI Boat Show in late January was a modest regional show. There were three Whalers displayed in a central traffic area 15, 17, and a twenty-something if I recall correctly.

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I took my boys to the Boston Boat Show a few weeks ago. Lots of Whalers, but the prices were rediculous. The dominant outboard at the show was Yamaha. There were a few Mercurys (mostly on the Whalers), and very few ETECs. I did see a nice 33' Grady White center console. It had twin 350 V-8 Yammies. The price was $42,000 down, and $1400 a month for 20 YEARS!!!!!! How's that for a deal?

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I too did the Boston show a few weeks ago. Metan Marine was there with a couple of their Whaler restorations tucked away in a corner of the expo center - an old 13' and a early 70's 21'. Simply stunning.

- Art