New England Boat Show Opinions

jmen24 · 01-04-2010, 12:40 PM

Just wondering what the forum opinions are on the best boat show in NE for a boat in the under 30ft cruiser class. We can only do one and Providence and Boston are in the same time frame. Just curious what the shows offer from those that have attended. Thanks

ishoot308 · 01-04-2010, 01:09 PM

I have been to the Boston show a couple times and think it's pretty good. Just remember, you simply cannot compare any of these out of water local shows to the in water Miami show or similar. In my opinion the Boston show is probably the best we have in our area. I think you will find what you are looking for in Boston. There are many local area Marinas and boat dealers that sell just what you are looking for.

Good Luck!

Dan

OCDACTIVE · 01-04-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmen24

Just wondering what the forum opinions are on the best boat show in NE for a boat in the under 30ft cruiser class. We can only do one and Providence and Boston are in the same time frame. Just curious what the shows offer from those that have attended. Thanks

DEFIANTELY BOSTON.... I also agree you can't compare to one of the Florida shows but for what you are looking for you will find the best options in Boston. West Marine also has a great set up if you are in need of accessories on the new boat.

Good Luck and let us know what you get!

gf2020 · 01-04-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmen24

We can only do one and Providence and Boston are in the same time frame.

What do you mean by that? They are six weeks apart.

The Providence Boat Show is January 7 - 10, 2010.
http://www.providenceboatshow.com/

The New England Boat Show (in Boston) is February 20 - 28, 2010.
http://www.naexpo.com/boatshow/

jmen24 · 01-04-2010, 02:21 PM

gf2020, time frame being the winter months in general (I know, I did a really good job of conveying that), but the reason for the post today was if Providence was the better show for what we are looking for than we would mix up our lives and run down this weekend, if not we will relax and just hit Boston in Feb.

Would LOVE to go to the Miami show but, bringing the kids to Disney in March and an additional trip to Florida is not in the cards, unless golf is involved!

Pineedles · 01-04-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gf2020

What do you mean by that? They are six weeks apart.

The Providence Boat Show is January 7 - 10, 2010.
http://www.providenceboatshow.com/

The New England Boat Show (in Boston) is February 20 - 28, 2010.
http://www.naexpo.com/boatshow/

He means his wife says, "You can go to Boston or Providence. PICK ONE!"

jmen24 · 01-04-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

He means his wife says, "You can go to Boston or Providence. PICK ONE!"

So true, so true. The wife is actually on the fence in general after losing out on a sweet deal last month. She is thinking lets wait another year, I am thinking a month or two should be fine.

LIforrelaxin · 01-04-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmen24

So true, so true. The wife is actually on the fence in general after losing out on a sweet deal last month. She is thinking lets wait another year, I am thinking a month or two should be fine.

Good Luck..... just remember Diamonds go a long way...... and while she is blinded by a new set of earings, you must pounce.....

robmac · 01-04-2010, 05:36 PM

And plane tickets this far in advance are also very resonable.

Pineedles · 01-04-2010, 08:04 PM

I would pick diamonds. She's got a mini-south african mine in her drawer, and I don't regret one little carat of that mine. If only I had been so smart during the first 15 years of our marriage, I would have started mining much much earlier

jmen24 · 01-05-2010, 11:34 AM

You guys crack me up. But if I spend all this money on diamonds, who is going to pay the bill for the slip. I am glad she does not read on here.

The nice thing is she wants a boat more than I do, she is just soured on the process at this point. It is like buying a car, it is fun to shop as long as you do not have to talk to anyone, once you do, not so much.

bigdog · 01-06-2010, 07:39 AM

IMO......

Personally, I like the Providence Boat Show. Not too overwhelming, and you can take everything in within a reasonable time. Parking can be challenging.
Providence overall would be a cheaper experience, tickets, parking, etc., and they have some great restaurants downtown! If you decide to go,check-out the Federal Hill Italian area for restaurants, the BEST this side of Italy !

Boston Show, very big, and crowded ! Parking not a problem, but navigating to the area is a pain and tricky !

I use to go to the Harrtford CT show, that was just about right size, at least for me. Not sure if this is still being held ?

Bigdog

onlywinni · 01-06-2010, 08:20 AM

Just my 2 cents

If you are buying a boat, I would buy one in the next month or so...most marinas dont sell too much at this time of the year and they are still all desperate from the lack of sales last year. The poor weather, bad economny and the fact most banks would not loan money really hurt that industry last year, that is why so many companies went under.

With the economy slightly better(fingers crossed) for this upcoming boating season you might not see as good of deals.

I have seen some good deals at shows, but remember it costs the dealers money to bring their boats to shows...you should be able to get a better deal walking in to the dealer and buying something he does not have to tow to a show...

Good luck and look around, because there are a bunch of great deals.

gf2020 · 01-06-2010, 09:54 AM

jmen24, are you shopping for a new or used boat? You mention the sub-30' cruiser class, I assume you mean boats like a Sea Ray Sundancer 270 or similar?

I don't have too much background in those types of boats, but from what I can tell there are plenty of decent used boats for sale of that type right here on this web site and at most of the Lakes Region marinas and dealers.

A boat show can be a good place to climb in and around the boats to check them out but there is generally no compelling reason to actually purchase at a boat show. The lone exception can be if there are special financing rates available only at the show.

I purchased a new center console fishing boat from a local dealer this Fall and I came across lots and lots of lightly used, well maintained cruisers and high performance boats in my search. Higher fuel prices and the 45 MPH speed limit are taking their toll for many.

It's a great time to be buying, not so good to be selling!

jmen24 · 01-06-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gf2020

jmen24, are you shopping for a new or used boat? You mention the sub-30' cruiser class, I assume you mean boats like a Sea Ray Sundancer 270 or similar?

I don't have too much background in those types of boats, but from what I can tell there are plenty of decent used boats for sale of that type right here on this web site and at most of the Lakes Region marinas and dealers.

A boat show can be a good place to climb in and around the boats to check them out but there is generally no compelling reason to actually purchase at a boat show. The lone exception can be if there are special financing rates available only at the show.

I purchased a new center console fishing boat from a local dealer this Fall and I came across lots and lots of lightly used, well maintained cruisers and high performance boats in my search. Higher fuel prices and the 45 MPH speed limit are taking their toll for many.

It's a great time to be buying, not so good to be selling!

You hit it right on the head, we will not be purchasing a new boat, but we would like to be able to see the layouts of different lengths and models of boats without having to drive all around the area, kind of one stop shop. Looking at all the photos of boats online has led us to one thing, the layouts have not changed in years.

Basically we were hoping to get the most bang for our buck as far as selection goes to see the different models in the same place. The boat we missed out on was a 2007 Crownline that ended up going for 25K below book, but we would have gotten into a bidding war on it and we are not interested in living for our boat payment, just living to get out on the boat.

It does not look like Providence is going to happen, so we will go see Boston, although we have an annual camping trip in Feb that might end up being around the same time but we may go down during the week.

Thanks for all the input.

01-04-2010, 12:40 PM	#1
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	New England Boat Show Opinions Just wondering what the forum opinions are on the best boat show in NE for a boat in the under 30ft cruiser class. We can only do one and Providence and Boston are in the same time frame. Just curious what the shows offer from those that have attended. Thanks

01-04-2010, 01:09 PM	#2
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,928 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 4,939 Times in 1,915 Posts	Good Show I have been to the Boston show a couple times and think it's pretty good. Just remember, you simply cannot compare any of these out of water local shows to the in water Miami show or similar. In my opinion the Boston show is probably the best we have in our area. I think you will find what you are looking for in Boston. There are many local area Marinas and boat dealers that sell just what you are looking for. Good Luck! Dan

01-06-2010, 07:39 AM	#12
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	New England Boat Show Opinions IMO...... Personally, I like the Providence Boat Show. Not too overwhelming, and you can take everything in within a reasonable time. Parking can be challenging. Providence overall would be a cheaper experience, tickets, parking, etc., and they have some great restaurants downtown! If you decide to go,check-out the Federal Hill Italian area for restaurants, the BEST this side of Italy ! Boston Show, very big, and crowded ! Parking not a problem, but navigating to the area is a pain and tricky ! I use to go to the Harrtford CT show, that was just about right size, at least for me. Not sure if this is still being held ? Bigdog

01-04-2010, 02:21 PM	#5
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	gf2020, time frame being the winter months in general (I know, I did a really good job of conveying that), but the reason for the post today was if Providence was the better show for what we are looking for than we would mix up our lives and run down this weekend, if not we will relax and just hit Boston in Feb. Would LOVE to go to the Miami show but, bringing the kids to Disney in March and an additional trip to Florida is not in the cards, unless golf is involved!

01-04-2010, 05:36 PM	#9
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	And plane tickets this far in advance are also very resonable.

01-04-2010, 08:04 PM	#10
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,535 Thanks: 1,058 Thanked 652 Times in 363 Posts	I would pick diamonds. She's got a mini-south african mine in her drawer, and I don't regret one little carat of that mine. If only I had been so smart during the first 15 years of our marriage, I would have started mining much much earlier

01-05-2010, 11:34 AM	#11
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	You guys crack me up. But if I spend all this money on diamonds, who is going to pay the bill for the slip. I am glad she does not read on here. The nice thing is she wants a boat more than I do, she is just soured on the process at this point. It is like buying a car, it is fun to shop as long as you do not have to talk to anyone, once you do, not so much.

01-06-2010, 08:20 AM	#13
onlywinni Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Laconia Posts: 108 Thanks: 6 Thanked 39 Times in 16 Posts	Just my 2 cents If you are buying a boat, I would buy one in the next month or so...most marinas dont sell too much at this time of the year and they are still all desperate from the lack of sales last year. The poor weather, bad economny and the fact most banks would not loan money really hurt that industry last year, that is why so many companies went under. With the economy slightly better(fingers crossed) for this upcoming boating season you might not see as good of deals. I have seen some good deals at shows, but remember it costs the dealers money to bring their boats to shows...you should be able to get a better deal walking in to the dealer and buying something he does not have to tow to a show... Good luck and look around, because there are a bunch of great deals.

01-06-2010, 09:54 AM	#14
gf2020 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of Boston Posts: 203 Thanks: 11 Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts	jmen24, are you shopping for a new or used boat? You mention the sub-30' cruiser class, I assume you mean boats like a Sea Ray Sundancer 270 or similar? I don't have too much background in those types of boats, but from what I can tell there are plenty of decent used boats for sale of that type right here on this web site and at most of the Lakes Region marinas and dealers. A boat show can be a good place to climb in and around the boats to check them out but there is generally no compelling reason to actually purchase at a boat show. The lone exception can be if there are special financing rates available only at the show. I purchased a new center console fishing boat from a local dealer this Fall and I came across lots and lots of lightly used, well maintained cruisers and high performance boats in my search. Higher fuel prices and the 45 MPH speed limit are taking their toll for many. It's a great time to be buying, not so good to be selling!