Did anyone go to the Providence Boat show that opened today? Or, is anyone planning on going to the show? I go every year just to check out the latest products and fantasize about upgrading. If I do upgrade, it probably won't be this year and in this economy.

However, I imagine that dealers might be a bit more aggressive in their pricing and maybe there will be some good deals. I would like to get myself into a new tub if possible.

No intention of going. I have plenty of equipment on my toy and can't afford any more!

Same here no Shows this year got all I need on the "Celtic Knot"
Got to put in some X-tra time @ work need to work on trailer/ H2O pump on drive new annodes.
I'm just gonna reline all my reels shore & boat and get some Blemish Batt's @ Interstate cheap
I'm cutting back $ is tight must be smart.
But I do love the shows all that new stuff in front of you
Have fun whoever goes
Link Sr

My son and I will be there. I like to look and see what ideas they have

Like most, gonna hunker down and hibernate this year. Live off the land and barter with others avoid using money as much as possible.

I think people will go to the shows, but no one will buy much of anything. Who is going to spend that kind of coin on a new boat when the used boat market is flooded with like new boats owned by people who lost their job and can't unload their boat?

Boating business looks to be headed in a severe depression with no end in sight. Boating/fishing requires lots of disposable income...there is just not a lot of that out there anymore and there are WAY too many boat builders all building the same stuff. Sorry to be so remorse. I'll be playing more golf and surf casting this year. Things will get a lot worse before they get better.

Have a Day

I might bring my son and spend a couple of hours. Definitely not buying, but I enjoy looking and seeing what's new. I'm planning on picking up a couple of kayaks this year for the family, so I'll check some out at the show. I just don't have as much time to get out on the boat now as I have in the past. Last year it was probably 50/50 boat/surf for me.

I went through yesterday afternoon. Poorest show I've ever attended in terms of number of exhibitors - by far. It barely filled the convention center.

Roger / that,s a no brainer ...

even with reduced admission charges ...

how many dealers can afford floor space & get someone financing ><><<>:wall:

I heard that Parker, Scout & Maycraft all closed down their plants with this %$%$%$%$ty economy !
I'm sure there are and will be many more companies closing up also !

This is depressing. Great market if you have some $$ and looking for a new or used boat.

Ya it looks grim

my buddy is trying to sell his 37' Egg Harbor :(
It was worth 129 not too many years ago before the gas $ jump, he could have got close to that but is in love with it of course :rollem: now he's dropped price to 79K, the dope agent tells him of an offer of 40 :splat: wtf, why bother even saying anything, what an insult. I guess people think others are that desperate.

Luxuries like boats are some of the first things to go in these economies. Glad I have a skiff

Slip, a lot of people ARE that desperate. Some will just abandon the boat in they yard for the yard bill.

How many of you think Obama will bail out the boating industry?
:hs:
(FWIW I think they are more honest than the crooks in banking)

I agree Sandman. There was a story late last fall of a guy who abandoned a large and relatively new boat with twins at a marina by Boston because he was in way over his head. And yes, unfortunately toys are usually the first to go.

I can't imagine many boat dealers will have a good year.

Problem even with this distressed economic climate boat show, like all the other ones, is there were too many Indian Chiefs, who have no knowledge or ability to look behind a consule shroud or into a bilge, and know anything about how their product is made or rigged. I would have hoped that more of the Indians...riggers and mechanics...would have been on location.

Did anyone see the Bluefin 24 widebody? Anything to report?

I didn't make it to Providence, but I wanted to, if for no other reason than I wanted to see this baby in person. That and the Black Lab welded aluminum boats look rugged to me.

The next 2 years are going to be brutal on the boating business. Last tough cycle was probably 1991-1993 when the real estate market collapsed? This looks to be worse I'd say...

I liked that 34 Pursuit CC. Damn that thing was well built

the Black Lab welded aluminum boats look rugged to me.


Light weight and pound from what I hear.
Love them though, especially for a research type vessel. just bolt equipment on, no fiberglass to deal with!

They are wicked WET and pound like a drum.

Zero maintainance though.

and stand up well to jigs bouncing off them.