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2015 Ft Lauderdale Boat Show Slow???

Discussion in 'Boat Shows & Yacht Watching' started by rmjranch, Nov 7, 2015.

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  1. rmjranch

    rmjranch Member

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    Heard from numerous brokers today, Saturday afternoon, at the FT. Lauderdale Boat Show, that it is very slow. Saturday afternoon should be jammed but really slow. I went Thursday afternoon and there was no crowds. Are boat shows the past? Do people do all their shopping on the internet? Thoughts? I am going again Monday and will update this thread.
  2. captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Record breaking heat & humidity this week can't be helping. Walked the show today and thought it was more like August. Regretted not wearing a tee shirt!
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I do think the internet has made the show not as attractive to go to for used boat buyers. New boat buyers still go to the show and manufacturers are willing to deal more at the show.
  4. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Low traffic was a topic of discussion among many builders and vendors at the show. Everyone agrees the internet has had a significant impact on attendance. Although I agree with CaptJ that new boat buyers still go to the show, that number is dwindling as boat builders price themselves right out of the market. A mid-size, twin-engine center console costs as much as a house! On Thursday and Friday, the brokerage (north) end of the show looked pretty busy. In contrast, the south side of Bahia Mar (where more production and new boat builders were displaying), wasn't nearly as busy.

    During the Show Management breakfast conference on opening day, Skip Zembalist and Ft. Lauderdale city mayor Jack Seiler addressed the media stating the show has grown from around 50,000 visitors in the 1980's to upwards of 100,000 visitors in recent years, however the infrastructure to support this growth has remained constant, i.e. parking, hotels, etc. It's simply become difficult to get to the show and hotels are at a premium.

    YF mod Kevin joined up with us Friday afternoon. He parked at the convention center and it took an hour to get to Bahia Mar, standing in lines to board a crowded bus that enters traffic gridlock. Judy Waldman parked at War Memorial Auditorium (Sunrise & US-1), then took a shuttle to the show. That's about 4 miles away. At the end of the day, they each spent two hours in transit.

    There are many factors contributing to slower boat shows; the internet, ridiculous boat prices, difficulty in accessing the show and of course the time it takes. In my opinion, the show has become more of a spectacle. A serious superyacht buyer won't be bothered with the throngs of people. He'll simply fly to a yard where he can get the attention and time he deserves when spending $50 million.

    Maybe Show Management should spread out the show over several smaller, sector specific shows, much like Trawlerfest which has proven to be a great venue. If we had 4 continuous weekends of sector-focused shows, such as individual superyacht, sportfish, motoryacht and center console shows, the city could enjoy a bigger boost in economic impact (by duration), while builders would enjoy a better demographic. Most importantly, consumers wouldn't think of the show as a hassle and would be more inclined to attend. I know the logistics of all this are way beyond my comprehension.

    Attendance at these shows has been dwindling for years. No matter what figures are stated or claimed, those of us who work these shows know different. On Wednesday night around 7:30 PM, I met Tom Serio and Maldwin at the Bahia Mar bar for dinner. Typically, the bar is brisk the night before opening as industry folks gather before retiring to their rooms. This year, the bar looked like any other night at Bahia Mar when the boat show is NOT in town. I took the pic below...

    Attached Files:

  5. Commodore207

    Commodore207 New Member

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    First post. I drove to FLIBS on Friday morning. An hour before the doors opened, I was within 3 miles of Bahia Mar. It took an hour to go the last 3 miles. It was very frustrating to get there and find parking (at $30 to $60 per car). I walked the docks and inspected 6 boats (2 Outer Reef, 2 Fleming, 2 Marlow). The docks were quite crowded when I was there but almost no one was speaking English. Spanish and Chinese seemed prevalent. It is a very international show at this point. After 5 hours, I was worn out in the heat and I hadn't seen even 10% of the show at Bahia Mar/Swimming Hall of Fame/ Los Olas, let alone anything at the Convention Center. The Show is too big, in my opinion. It is a hassle to go.

    I will say, however, that some of the posts above reminded me of the Yogi Berra saying : "Nobody goes there anymore, it is too crowded."
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I agree Carl, I looked into 25' center consoles with 2-200hp outboards and they're $150k. Then you have to figure $700 a month dry storage, $3k a year in basic motor maintanence, insurance, fixing other things, gas, etc. You literally have to have a household income just to get into boating and buy a used 25' center console. All of the ancillary costs that go along with owning a boat have doubled in the last 5-7 years, everything except income.

    I tend to disagree with splitting the show into different segments. I have on owner, in for only 2 days and he's looking at yachts 60-70' and also 25' center consoles to tow behind the yacht. Maybe have 2 shows and split off trawlers and sailboats. But if someone's serious, they will go. I still like seeing everything, just because.

    The show was also good for people to look at boats and dream of getting one and eventually getting one. It's gotten expensive just to bring your family and make a day of it. I also feel the vendor costs for putting boats in the show has escalated a bit too much, and in order to make enough commission by maybe selling a used yacht, they have to be priced at $1million or more just to make the show fees worthwhile and all of the other expenses to bring the yacht there. So I think it prices out large segments of used boats. Another option is to have a marina for them with a lower show fee, perhaps something like Harbourtowne, so if someone is serious about buying a used $250-750k yacht, they're all there.

    I feel it's easier to get to the show than it has been in the past, the water taxi has made it easier and faster, uber, cabs, buses, etc. Compare it to Miami where you don't have the water taxi and it takes 1hour plus to get from Collins to the other locations with the traffic.
  7. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    For us Thursday and Friday was better traffic than Saturday. Everyone is complaining about the heat but I can't say it's kept anyone away. We had pre-booked a number of appointments and wrote an offer on the boat yesterday.

    We are at LOM which puts us among our comps and is actually better for us than Bahia Mar where EVERYONE is walking around staring at their iPhone.
  8. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    So true! I'm surprised a few people haven't walked right off the dock.
  9. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    ...also, ate dinner at the Quarter Deck a couple of nights without having to wait for a table. But that might be because of the food. lol.
  10. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    As a follow up to RER's post, none of the beer barges were crowded either, even though it was blazing hot. I think Thursday and Friday appeared busier because of the number of media and industry folks present, along with the serious enthusiasts & buyers that opening day brings. I don't think it's the heat keeping attendance down over the weekend when the cool, but credit questionable crowd comes out. I think it's the price of admission... $42 per person! This sentiment echoed loudly among folks who are affluent enough to buy a boat.
  11. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I think it's a combination of factors.

    I do agree Internet is a huge factor. I can see more boats there in a couple of hours than in days at the show. Living in Fort Lauderdale, I also don't need a show to see boats. Carl wrote about traffic. Well, we live just off the show route, so we chose to be out of town.

    For a new boat buyer, the odds of the boat you want to see being there are rather slim too. The 45' and 70' may be but you're wanting to see the 63' or 65'. I believe builders are finding more effective ways to spend their marketing dollars. Then some have full production, so they don't feel compelled to show and/or have no boats available.

    There are also too many shows that take part of the local buyer. Miami, St. Pete, then Trawlerfest. For those living in some areas of Florida they wait for other shows. Same in other parts of the country.

    I do think some like Capt J's customer fly in to look. It would be interesting to know if it isn't the local traffic down the most.

    I've been known to be a new boat buyer. If there were some boats I wanted to compare and they just happened to be there and I didn't have a great intolerance to crowds I might go. However, I have no desire to get involved in the throng and no desire to be approached by salespersons from company after company when I just want to look.

    I've seen this in many industry shows too. Apparel, soft goods, hard goods, most consumer products have seen drops in the value of shows while increases in the cost. The major buyers don't do shows. The manufacturers come to their offices and put on a show. Or if they happen to be in a major city, they go to the showroom of the manufacturer.

    Carl mentioned the $50 million boat buyer. He's going to want full attention and privacy, which he can't get at the show. He's also going to want it on his schedule, when convenient to him.

    The price of admission I think may cause people to choose among shows, not do them all. I think it does deter the looker more than the serious buyer.

    Carl's point on Thursday and Friday are on target. Had we been going, it would have been one of those days.

    I don't know that I'd ever call us typical anything, but I can state that we've purchased several new boats in the last three years and done none of it through boat shows. In fact, we're about to order another boat and we're getting back with the salesman after the show. We recognized that his time is tied up these few days.

    I don't think the weather has anything to do with the lower traffic. I live here and it's normal weather for me, although perhaps not for this time of year. The person flying in didn't know it was going to be warmer than normal when they made their plans.
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    For new boat buyers, I d say up to 60/70, the boat show offers a chance to see a number of models and narrow it down to a short list. After that the dealing and final selections cna be done one on one.

    For parts, accessories, engines, gensets, etc... I find it much easier to do the research on line although i can see how going to the show can help you find products you may not find on line that easily.

    But bottom line, it s too much of hassle to go. Parking is a mess, traffic and lines everywhere,

    I wonder how the new Marine Stwdium location will turn out in Miami.
  13. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I think Miami will be a hassle. I think many will go the first year there to see the new venue, then decide in the future.

    Now, all the traffic, parking and other issues, really impact the casual attendee more than the dedicated boat show enthusiast. It's not a lot different that any huge event. Look at Dolphins games.
  14. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Sunday 12:30pm Main St at Bahia Mar

    image.jpg
  15. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    ...and looking the other direction.

    image.jpg
  16. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Thanks for the update RER. I took the day off to RICE a sore knee. Back tomorrow.
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I went to the show today. Attendance was about 60% on the docks from previous years and many on the docks had credentials. Some models that I wanted to see the 63' and 65' Manhattans were not present. I think $42 for a ticket is pretty ridiculous, if that is true. Boston Whaler has sold 100 boats I was told as of about 2pm today. I was told Viking had 6 sold. Not sure how true that is. Prices are pretty expensive on even the small boats. A 25' everglades with 2-200's $159k for example. The new 70' Hatteras MY was there. Very nice boat from the outside, I didn't look at the inside.

    Honestly I think the show management is getting way too greedy with the ticket prices and boat space prices. There were also less boats, an entire row in front of Coconuts was gone.
  18. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

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    I think the show still has value. My owner came in to look at boats to buy, do to many factors, this is the only way I could get him to see the boats. We were able to get in and out easily, in fact we looked at most of our boats on Wednesday, before the show even opened. I am finding that this is the true VIP day.
    The other days were spent viewing outside the Bahia Mar show and then revisiting, we had our own transport to drop off and pick up, and all went smooth. As an active participant going to the show, I think smaller crowds are great, and if you plan properly long waits can be avoided. Taking the wife and kids today to the convention center and then Bahia Mar, I hope no one is there!
  19. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    I did not go this time.
    Instead I had 3 friends drive down from Nashville last Friday to hang out on the beach.
    They called me from Vero asking about hotels.
    I explained there was a Big Boat Show going on and that the nearest hotel with vacancies would probably be Miami, West Palm or way out West in the swamps.
    I was wrong, they found 2 rooms in Hollywood for a few hundred each for 3 days. No problem at all finding accommodations: A few years ago that would have been impossible...:(
  20. rmjranch

    rmjranch Member

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    Just came back from the show today (Monday), REALLY, really slow. Almost no one on the docks or in the tents. I would say less than 50% of normal maybe more. It will be interesting to see what they say about the gate? I go every year Thursday & Monday. Know of one 85' Brokerage boat in the show. Cost $12,000 for the space, plus all the other expenses. Had only three people on the boat for the entire show. No real good prospects. There must be a better way to sell a brokerage boat? Assume the internet is the way to go? Went over to Pier 66 where there are several boat dealers. I do not think there were 5 people TOTAL , not counting brokers, on ALL the docks. What a waste of money???