24 Pontoon^ & Deck Boat January^2018 http://www.pdbmagazine.com
Planning and preparation will make
your day at the boat show far more
productive than merely wandering
through the fiberglass forest and the
pontoon jungle. It’s boat-show season,
and whether you’re in active buying
mode or just checking things out, you
can get a lot of research done if you’re
organized in the way you visit a show.
No matter which of these profiles fits
you best, don’t just walk into the show
without any plan at all – you’ll waste
valuable time wandering aimlessly.
Experienced boat show denizens
check out shows online beforehand,
so they know which builders and gear-
makers are going to be represented,
and sometimes even where they’ll be
located in the venue. They map out who
and what they want to see, figure out a
priority list and a walking path, and they
come equipped with all or most of the
following items:- Comfortable shoes that can be slipped
off and on easily if you’re going aboard
boats. - A digital camera or cell-phone with a
camera. - A notebook and pencil.
- Business cards or calling cards to give
to sales people or builders if you want
them to keep you updated on a boat or
product. - A sturdy bag, if you’re planning to
pick up brochures or take-home boat
gear. Yes, show vendors always hand
out free bags, but your own easy-to-
carry bag, with strong straps and
pockets to stow things, will serve
better.
Even if you’re not in active buying
mode, take photos of show prices to
help you do your research at home later.
There are always, always bargains to be
had at boat shows. Builders, dealers, and
equipment-makers invest to be at the
shows because they know that virtually
all the show-goers are truly interested
in what they’re selling. The question
is, what can be done to convert active
interest into a sale? The simple answeris discounted prices, but there are other
incentives, too, like free or discounted
option packages, or attractive financing.
Boat show deals can get done quickly
because representatives from the OEMs
are often there themselves, working with
their dealers to make things happen for
customers.
When you go into the show with
your camera, take photos of the show
placards near the boats – they’ll give
you pricing reference points that you can
take home and study. You don’t need to
take photos of boats to remember how
good-looking they are – you can see
that in the builders’ brochures and on
their websites. Instead, take pictures
of the things that are going to concern
you if you actually buy the boat: Can
you access all the storage compartments
easily? Is there enough legroom at
the helm? Is there enough space on
the back deck? Is there a designated
anchor locker? Can you lock any of the
storage compartments? Can you get to
the batteries easily? Is the fiberglass
work in the bilge area smooth and easily
cleaned, or has it been left rough and
raw – because hardly anyone at a boat
show bothers to inspect bilges...?
With a combination of digital photos
and specific thoughts penciled into your
notebook, you’ll come away from a boat
show really equipped to make a decision
to buy — or to keep on looking. Either
way, you’ll have fun!Boat Show Strategies
Make the most of your day
BY DOUG LOGAN