Ordering boats for boat show.... Your thoughts?

We are about to order our boat show boats that will be displayed at the 2010 Seattle Boat Show... Usually we would already have 40 boats sitting here and we would just pick and go... This year is different, my question is this, what color/ colors would you pick to be on your boat? What options are people really looking at having this year? loaded, less options? Whats important anymore? I will evaluate and order accordingly, Your thoughts are important!
Thank you!

I am always interested in the price point boats, i.e. the most for the least. Showers, heaters, LED lights, crazy stereo systems with extra amps, and the extra bling were never important to me, so when I went to boat shows that stuff just raised the price to something I wouldn't pay.

An important part for me at the boat shows were low advertised prices. Obviously have your decked out superboats there, but show a boat or two without tower speakers and extra bling, and that should have an eye catching price.

Kevin,

As a consumer at boat shows and watching what draws people to a product here are my observations over the last few years at the boat shows.

I've seen all black boats with white accents do well in attacting crowds, however they are turned off in the price when they check it out. Order an all black with white accents with minimal options, just enough to make it attractive. Most don't give a crap about the stereo as they just redo it themselves anyways. Engine upgrades are a toss up. One or two sets of tower speakers just for show and not included in the price or even hooked up for that matter. A really nice interior color combo that pops. I think if you could incorporate these ideas into a boat show boat to draw the crowds to your booth you'd be doing good.

Honestly I wasn't impressed with your boat show boats last year, made me want to keep walking past your booth. I think you guys could have done better. All white with black accents pops pretty good as well, with a darker interior. Just my opinion.

I think you really have to take an attention grabber approach. I would pick a bold color (not neon) but an all black, or all red. I would then option it all with all the bells and wistles to get us drooling. I know this turns a $45,000 boat into a $65,000 boat but you can put a sign with a List price in bold, and then itemize each option and put an "as shown price" at the bottom, make it smaller and not standing out. We all struggle with what options we need and if which we can afford.

By having a fully optioned boat on display, and listing each option, I think this doeas the biggest service to your potential customer.

I personally like white with dark green or orange. Black is a head turner, but I wouldnt buy one. I always liked the dealers that were up front with prices. MSRP 90K, but I will really sell it for 60K is a turn off.

I like the bright colors with black or white accents. Orange, Yellow, Bright Green and Blue. The interior accents should match the exterior colors. In this economy, it makes sense to have boats on display that folks can afford. I think that ballast, cruise, wakeboard racks, and stereos are the must have options.

Kevin, I would think for the Seattle market clean and classy is usually the way to go. That being said I think having one boat that is real bright and blinged out that is right in front is nice to get people into the booth. Are you going to have room for a 10 boats? I see the website only has the 09 stuff on there. I would think a worlds, gravity games or LF 24 completely decked out would be a good one for the blinged out boat. I would also try and do a mostly white with black accents Sunsport that has a simple classic style without a lot of the over the top stuff. Maybe with spinner racks, heater, good stereo in the boat, shower, triple ballast 340 motor and cover.

I would also have a printed out special on an Outback V. I would do it with tower, racks, heater, basic stereo, cover, tandem trailer and cruise. Advertise in big numbers the price of that actual boat. Then maybe put smaller that the outback V starts at the base price or you can do a luxery package to add tower speakers, sub, amp(s), bimini, tower mirror, pullup cleats, stainless package, GPS perfect pass, etc.... and have a price for the upgrade.

For boats I would think you would want the Outback V, Mobius LSV, XLV(probably GG), Launch 20SSv maybe, Launch 21v, 22ssv, sunsport 22v, Launch 24SSV. I would make either the 22ssv or the 24SSV one of those special package boats.

Oh yeah, I can't stand snap on covers. No other brand in the Seattle market uses them unless special ordered. I would not do a single one with that option and instead just have a sharkskin cover as the standard on your boats and a Rankin/Evolution as an upgrade.

I would think to have both prices listed side by side. Same boat shown but with the bare bones and the other with the loaded so a person can atleast have an idea of the cost differences and how much it will change when adding options/features.

I am sure every dealer is appreciating this thread... Thanks everyone.. Brett, we have something up our sleeve that will change things up a bit....

Yeah good post. Good to see you ask.
I always like the simple colors. All black of course or simple whites and blacks. Maybe some reds and blues. Maybe powedercoat a tower on the showcase boat.
We really need to come up for the Seattle show this year. Since the portland show is so short this year maybe we can do that. When is it? Can we make a pit stop at Hooters if we do?

If you have some blinged out boats do not have the base price shown first or in bold on the boat. That always gives a bad impression on the cost of the boat. The dealer I worked for did that and not only did it confuse customers it made it sound horrible when they believe they can get a boat for $10-15,000 less than what it really should be. Sometimes even including a price that did not include the trailer. That is a direct turn off. Who cares about the MSRP prices anyway, just show what you can buy the boat for and be honest and upfront about everything. Price point boats seem to be doing well now like the Moomba's and leave them at that, have your blinged out boats be your supra's maybe with the special packages. Colors are always up in the air, just have a variety there. I always loved all black boats, but maybe have each boat different in main colors (Black, White, Green, Blue, Red, yellow) to bring in plenty of interest.

Kevin, as far as the covers go?

Focus on less bling, more value. 5 years ago bling was worth paying for. Today...

No...Something else

Would you like boats on the ground or on trailers or both?

Mark your calendar for the 2010 Seattle Boat Show, January 29 - February 6!

Diggs, there is a new Hooters casino near by and a New Hooters bowling ally in Renton.. Will do a pitstop!

(Message edited by supra on October 27, 2009)

I would do on the ground. I know it is a lot more work but it looks so much better. It is also easier to look into the boat for customers. I am not sure how far I would go. I don't think you need to pull all the underwater gear to get them that low but it might not be a bad idea for a couple boats that are at the entrance of the booth so people walking by can see into them easy and so they don't block the boats behind them. I would maybe keep one or 2 on a trailer to show what trailers you use.

Kevin, are you in the main hall or the north hall this year. Since you have switched to just wakeboarding boats I would think it would be nice to be close to them.

Who usually works the booth with you? I know Jason use to but he hasn't been with Gonnason's for a few years, right?

(Message edited by polarbill on October 27, 2009)

Main hall...

Diggs, I read that. You do need to make it up for the Seattle show...

Kevin, one note of improvement from last year's boat show... put the new and flashier models on the floor -- not overhead. The 21V was the only new model for Supra last year, and ironically, it was the only boat at the show you couldn't touch! Meanwhile, it was all '08 closeouts on the floor (I actually checked -- every boat on the floor was an '08), for blowout prices (which probably was the strategy). I had seen the new 21V already at the Portland show, but several friends wanted to jump in one and couldn't...

I agree with most, basic boats with clean color schemes at attractive prices. Supra's and Moomba's are beautiful as they are... keep 'em clean!

(Message edited by phenom_1819 on October 27, 2009)

If I remember right you had an awesome all black Mobius LSV that I lost a sale on a Centurion Elite V to at the 2007 show. That boat would be a good one. I think the graphics may have been stripped.

I think this is the Mobius LSV Brett is talking about it was a definite eye catcher

Yeah, that is the one I was thinking of. Looks like it had the graphics though. I would do that exact boat.

I love the Moomba, but do people really opt for a decked out trailer like that on a price-point boat?

2 years ago when any joe that had a pulse could get a boat loan yes. Nowadays I would probably skip out on the pimped trailer and just go base with chrome steel wheels. How much do custom rims and tires really add to the price of the trailer if you order it like that. It can't be more than an extra $500 for the wheels and tires on that trailer.

(Message edited by polarbill on October 27, 2009)

I bet it depends if you have to modify the axle to accomodate the selected rim, which I hear has to be done quite a bit. I would assume it'd be more than $500 bucks, but I bought my boat used with standard rims.

Clean white boats with an accent. Not sure if you guys have a white tower option or not, but that might be sick. I also like the idea of having the prices readily available and one that is a basic price point wake boat. If you can put a boat or two on the ground that would be wonderful. It helps a lot when you are trying to see the inside layout, stepping up on the trailers gets old. They don't all need to be on the ground, but as others mentioned one or two to grab customers in.

See ya at the show!

I would have a good bit out there for the value shopper with some well displayed prices that would be attractive. On the trailer if the trailer is a looker. I kind of like oranges, greens, and whites. One thing that I think would help, is having a couple of well laid out binders with all your used inventory with prices, pics, features, hours. It is irritating to me when I walk up to a booth and talk to someone about used inventory and the person I'm talking to has little idea of what they have in stock and can't 'show' me what they have. I know the focus isn't on selling your consignment or used stock, but it certainly is a place to line up some of those deals.

At our last boat show here one dealer had 4 boats all kind of butted up to a platform. There was not one boat that he would no allow people to go in. Of course he had to stay on top of people taking shoes off and kids but that makes a huge difference for the consumer. This idea that its too pretty to touch turns people off. I agree with the rest on the pricing and have some real price point boats there. Not ones that have every option in the world and 5k worth of stereo. Tower, cruise, ballast, bimini, cover. Colors to me primary colors are always best and I hate yellow but thats just me. Black and Royal blue are my favs.

I agree with most everything said so far. Having a decked out eye catcher is a great way to draw people in, but ultimately you want to sell boats, not just clean up all the drool. So for the bulk of the boats at the show I would include ballast, PP, racks, and a clean color scheme, and focus on selling value.

You need to have one or two "this is what we can do" boats i.e. pimped out flossy boats done up right because there are still people out there with dough and they want it done right. The rest should be "let me show ya something you can afford" boats. This is where good salesman come in. Black boats and Red boats are very poppy these will get people in and excited. Brett is right the lower and more accessible the boats the better but absolutely have a couple three trailers there all but one rimmed up. Pricing? Be real post up the normal price with options and the "new boat show price" if it were me I absolutely wouldn't be showing all my cards here. Everyone says they want the no B.S. price but they always seem to think your no B.S. price is a great spot to start negotiations. I'm sure you already know that. I also think people like to see what their payment would be. Boat prices can freak people out but break it down in a payment and all the sudden its doable. If you can do internet have your site pulled up with all your inventory back at the store both new and used. Good luck and we'll see ya at the show.

I think another good idea is to have one (or more) of your price-point boats with the EXACT same color scheme as your eye-catcher, just fewer options.

It is kind of cool when you take the wheels off one side of the trailer so it sits down at an angle and easy to see inside the boat as well.

When I was looking at boats I thought it was stupid how all of the boats had docking lights and heaters and showers in them from the dealer I bought mine from. I don't need any of the crap. Sure it's nice to have but it's not something that I need for a few grand more. I would say having an upgraded engine would be a must because most people will be putting ballast in their boat and will need the power as well as an upgraded prop to be able to plane quick. I think maybe 2 tower speakers and z5 cargo top would also be a nice. Just being practical for the average user would be the smart way to do things. As for color options, I have black and orange and I think it looks great and unique because I don't see many orange and black boats where I live. Since you're doing Supra though, I would pick up one of those new gravity games boats with the new tower . . . that thing looks awesome.

If we put the bottom line price on a boat, dont you think EVERYONE willask for and expect lower pricing... Its the way people are trained?

Kevin, wakeworld member are probably not the average person buying your boats. What percentage of your buyers use their boat exclusively for wakeboarding?

Andrew,

"When I was looking at boats I thought it was stupid how all of the boats had docking lights and heaters and showers in them from the dealer I bought mine from"

All options I wanted on mine, lol.

Bottom line pricing is a bad idea...there has to be some wiggle room. Would you show all your cards in a poker game????

That is the tough part about it Kevin. This is what I would do. Come up with a base boat that includes a few options and say that is the base price. I am not sure what is standard on the Outback V but make sure the base boat that includes tower and center ballast. The one I would have at the show would have a CD player and 4 speakers, triple ballast, cruise(standard maybe?), wakeplate, heater, racks and cover. I would leave yourself with enough room that you could drop the price to the base price but keep the options I just listed or at least most of them. Then have a package to add tower speakers, sub, tower speakers amp, SS package, popup cleats, upgraded engine, upgraded gelcoat, tower mirror arm, bimini, etc... Again I would leave enough room with the price of the on the floor boat that you could throw in most of those options if a customer is playing hardball with you.

To comment on what Andrew mentioned I would include the heater on every boat you sell pretty much. This is Washington and is almost a mandatory option on a wake boat. I also wouldn't include tower speakers or the Z5 Bimini on anything but the XLV GG, 22SSv GG/LF,worlds or the 24SSV GG,LF,worlds. The Z5 is way to expensive of an option. I would only have 1 boat that has either yellow, green or orange. Those have to be the least desirable colors in the Seattle market. Like someone else said black and white or black and white with a colored accent. Yellow looks better with black. A nice almost all red boat would be ok. I like boats that are all black below the rubrail and white above.

I don't know that I would include the heater. Never used one and survived just fine in the early and later months of Seattle. That is an option that people don't need and don't really think about IMO. Maybe say it can be added.

Have one Outback V with the tower, racks, two speakers on the tower, base CD sound system, the triple ballast. Things to get you on the water riding and having a good time, but still many more options that can be added if the customer wants. Clean white gel coat with a easy accent color of black or blue. This is my base boat in mind at least.

From there I would upgrade to the better Mobius V's and deck them out more. People will pay for the bling but there are those that want basic options to get out and ride and also room to customize on their own. Young families or first time boat buyers can't necessarily afford all the bling but want something more performance oriented than a Bayliner with a tower.

i remember that all black lsv. 2 or 3 years ago wasn't it? that was a sharp looking boat and as has already been said, was an eye catcher. i'd agree with nubu and brett. 6 more months of this crud. ugh. looking forward to the show and good luck this year kevin.

get whatever boat makes you the most profit ...and a couple of booth babes.

Here's a thought with the price point side of things.....Get an all white with black accents with just the regular options to keep the price low, sit it back to back with an all black w/white accents completely decked out and have the prices showing options side by side....Would be a good way to show what the base is and what can be done to a boat and what it costs

Andrew
Personally I think heaters are a great touch and can extend the season quite a bit or at least keep the people in the boat a little happier. Not sure about a shower but depending on your situation and where you ride it could be beneficial. As a dealer I would market these items.

The dealers have some serious issues for 2010.
There are 7 million more foreclosures coming nation wide and still huge employment layoffs.
I think bling bling is a thing of the past due to the economy we are in and going to be in for the long haul.
I for one will hold on to my 05 Avy C4 that was repoed from Cali and bought last Feb for $7000 less than low Nada.

I like this thread. Now here is a question:

With the current economic condition, would you rather your dealer have a large and in charge booth with all the pretty stuff or would you rather have a modest showing with more savings on the actual boat you will buy. Boat shows are definitely not cheap for the dealers and in this economy with everyone wanting boats with zero mark up,(which is ridiculous) every penny counts for the dealers. Are any of you planning on buying at an actual show? Are the shows worth the money? These are the thoughts that dealers are thinking through right now.

Dead on Justin....

I think you need to be at the shows. The manufacturer needs you at the shows, but all the glitz and glamour is not needed. People just like to see the boats, feel the boats and get in the boats. Just easy to shop and see all the new innovation in one spot. Most important is to get a booth next to the beer vendor!!!!!

no bling basic v drive boats the "avg person" might be able to afford its not a custom car or boat show .real prices.

Do you have any kind of "history" on common options of boats you have sold up there? for example, I can see showing a heater and hot water shower on a boat up there may be more beneficial than one displayed at a boat show in Miami, so regional specific common options maybe one way to go. If you have a couple of those and maybe one tricked out "if you still a baller in this economy" boat and one relativly basic boat that says I can add this to the tower or that LED cupholder later you can kind of appeal to everyone. Well everyone that is at least looking to spend cash on a wake boat.

Stick to your strengths. Moomba is a price point boat - show price point options and your boat will be even that much lower cost than the competition.

Showing a Moomba with a ton of options that approaches the price of a MC or Natique won't help sell your Moomba - it will encourage people pay a little more to step up to MC or Natique.

With that said, you should still bling out a Supra - for selfish reasons. I want to see the latest and greatest - even though I won't be buying a boat this year.

For colors - traditional, solid colors are good.

A PWT XStar would bring em in.

Dave just brought up a great point. Moombas are known as price point boats. Pimp out a Supra or two, and strip down the Moombas.

Choose your boats to suit different buyers.

1. Black Supra with lots of bling detailed to the max = bling buyer
2. White Moomba with blue or red accent stripe = traditional buyer
3. All white boat with bold graphics = clean freak buyer

Avoid Yellow, Green, Purple, Brown, Tan, etc.

Kevin, I like this simple, clean, classic gelcoat scheme. I also like black hull sides with a thin stripe at the bottom of a color like red, yellow or blue. Kind of like a cobalt.

Yeah, Brett, I agree, anything in the classic cobalt colors you cant go wrong.

I like mostly blue with a red stripe at the bottom. Classic

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