Boat show rant...

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Prospective

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Went to the Newport Boat Show this weekend with a buddy and my three kids. Their ages are 12, 10, 10. It was part of my ten year old son's birthday. He's a boat fanatic and was dying to see some cool boats.

We went on Saturday which was sunny and cool. I knew it was going to be crowded. There were lines to get on some boats and that's okay. I was actually able to get free tix from another friend. Normal admission is like $20 for adults. Kids under 12 are free.

At any rate, we had a nice time and saw some cool boats. But one we Didn't see was the 41ft American Tug. Why???... becuase it had a big sign on it that said "No Kids Please".

You've got to be friggin' kidding me. This is a family event. No unattend kids... fine, no problem. And I realize there are plenty of parents who let their kids run wild... That sucks but if it's a real problem don't bring your damm boat to a family event like a boat show.

I also realize this boat is targeted to a more "senior audience". That's fine too. But those folks had small kids, and have grand kids. Again, if you want to keep your boat kid free, don't bring it to the boat show!!!

Kudos to Krogen, Grand Banks, Cabo, Viking and plenty of other expensive brand dealers who were happy to have us aboard and answered all my kids questions with a smile even though they knew I wasn't going to buy one.

I am like an elephant with this stuff... I will never by an American Tug!
 
Alot of the parents are worse then the kids ! I pass on the boats that make u take off ur boat shoes.

Rob
 
It is unfortunate but there are a lot of parents out there that ruin it for all kids by the way they let their kids act. I do not personally have kids but was raised with the kids are to be seen not heard mentality. Now though you can hear them well before you ever see them. Maybe they need to make a kids day.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robski97

Alot of the parents are worse then the kids ! I pass on the boats that make u take off ur boat shoes.

Rob

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Stay away from Genoa!
 
The venders have a problem and I don't have a solution. People pay good money to go to boat shows. Their reasons are many. From-nothing else to do; so lets see what boats are all about, to I am in the market. There are less than considerate members of the public that are going to be a problem. Also, a tiny number of the attendees are going to buy a boat. In that atmoshere American Tug has apparantly taken an extreme position; one that I too ran into.
My experience was that I asked if I could board (there was no one aboard) I was asked if I had an appointment. I said, "No". I was offered the opportunity to make an appointment and come back later. I had little interest but thought what the heck I have a slip in the marina and have the time so I agreed. When I came back later I was given the "full press treatment". I was candid and said my interest in that particular boat was minimal at best. They were not pleased . I have told this story many times over the years. I don't know if has helped or hurt their image and sales and don't much care; I guess. This was in Racine, at a time when Racine had a very good show.
 
I've been working boat shows since 1979. One issue that may not be readily apparent to the person visiting the show is that a certain percentage of the boats being displayed at shows, especially in-water shows, aren't actually "brand-new."

They have already been sold and are being loaned to the builder or dealer who is showing them. Sometimes the new owner gets a few payments taken off, if they agree to allow the boat to be displayed at a certain show.

Under those circumstances, the dealer or builder is responsible for any damage that may occur while the boat is at the show. So, looking from that viewpoint, it becomes a little more understandable that they wouldn't want any children coming on board.

As I mentioned, that's only a percentage of the boats being displayed, and doesn't apply to all of them - but it IS a percentage.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Vic Willman

I've been working boat shows since 1979. One issue that may not be readily apparent to the person visiting the show is that a certain percentage of the boats being displayed at shows, especially in-water shows, aren't actually "brand-new."

They have already been sold and are being loaned to the builder or dealer who is showing them. Sometimes the new owner gets a few payments taken off, if they agree to allow the boat to be displayed at a certain show.

Under those circumstances, the dealer or builder is responsible for any damage that may occur while the boat is at the show. So, looking from that viewpoint, it becomes a little more understandable that they wouldn't want any children coming on board.

As I mentioned, that's only a percentage of the boats being displayed, and doesn't apply to all of them - but it IS a percentage.

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No, it does not become a little more understandable. If you are bringing a boat, owned, borrowed, or otherwise to a boat show (which is a family event), you should be prepared for familie to go on board.

If the onwer is not comfortable with this, then dont let the boat go to the show.

Makes me wonder of how poor quality an American Tug is made if they are worried about kids causing damage.

I mean, even Sea Ray lets kids on board.
 
LOL, Yeah... SeaRay loves kids...

I realize that some of the boats are, in fact, privately owned. That was the case with the $1.875 Million 53' Grand Banks I went on. The sales people were very nice. But if you've got an issue with SUPERVISED kids going on the boat at a boat show then you should NOT bring the boat in the first place. It's marketed to families...

Now, if it were a private "show" for $100 buck a ticket and free drinks, that spells adults only. So be it... If the show was marketed as adults only I would even understand that.

If the general "family boat show" audience is not your target market then don't bring your boat to the show. Show it by invite or appointment only.
 
i tend to see boat shows as a business event which the exhibitors attend to sell boats not to entertain families... I've only gone to a couple of shows as a serious prospective buyer (that was a few years back...) kids stayed at home.

as to shoes, even boat shoes, no matter what you will end tracking dirt from the docks, or worst hard stuff like stones or glass bits stuck in the threads that will scratch flooring. I dont' mind taking my shoes off.
 
I don't go to the NY show that often. But I've always been put off by the snooty dealers/brands - not that they have lost any potential business from me by doing so since I'm not likely to ever be in that market.

But, I can understand where someone hawking new boats running what, 300k - 1M are not expecting any business from the average day tripping family with kids. But then, why are they at the show at all? A guy who has big bucks to drop would seem to have no problem going here or there to see his list of targets. It's not like someone interested in an American Tug is going to find all of the similar brands displayed and can conveniently look at them all in one place - not in NY any time I've been there anyway. Maybe at a few of the major shows he can. What advantage does a show offer that customer? What does the dealer really think they are getting by going to the trouble to bring a large boat to a show?

Is the manufacturer pushing his dealers to be at their local shows or making it worth their while to do it?

It's clear what a Sea Ray or similar brand with a broad product line can possibly get out of it - bait and switch. Show them the 40 footer, then sell them the bow rider or the 24 for vastly less money.
 
I don't have a issue with kids getting on the boat as long as the parents agree to a "the kids break it, you buy it" policy.

If you visit a Ferrari or Lambo dealer, they don't let the kids jump in and play with all the switches. Why should a boat be any different especially when many cost substantially more than those exotic cars. Hit the big boat shows in Miami, LA, or Ft. Lauderdale and you'll find this policy in effect for many types/manufacturers for good reason.
 
quote:
Originally posted by floydsfloat

I don't have a issue with kids getting on the boat as long as the parents agree to a "the kids break it, you buy it" policy.

If you visit a Ferrari or Lambo dealer, they don't let the kids jump in and play with all the switches. Why should a boat be any different especially when many cost substantially more than those exotic cars. Hit the big boat shows in Miami, LA, or Ft. Lauderdale and you'll find this policy in effect for many types/manufacturers for good reason.

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If your kids break something the LAW says you have to pay for it. And I'm fine with that.

But a boat show is not a Lambo or Ferrari dealer. I would never think of bringing my kids to one of those.

A boat show is a PUBLIC EVENT marketed to families, and one where you PAY admission. If my kid pays to get in (the 12 year old did) then they should be entitled to get on the boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Prospective

quote:
Originally posted by floydsfloat

I don't have a issue with kids getting on the boat as long as the parents agree to a "the kids break it, you buy it" policy.

If you visit a Ferrari or Lambo dealer, they don't let the kids jump in and play with all the switches. Why should a boat be any different especially when many cost substantially more than those exotic cars. Hit the big boat shows in Miami, LA, or Ft. Lauderdale and you'll find this policy in effect for many types/manufacturers for good reason.

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If your kids break something the LAW says you have to pay for it. And I'm fine with that.

But a boat show is not a Lambo or Ferrari dealer. I would never think of bringing my kids to one of those.

A boat show is a PUBLIC EVENT marketed to families, and one where you PAY admission. If my kid pays to get in (the 12 year old did) then they should be entitled to get on the boat.

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I can see your side of the arguement. I'd agree that if you kid was considered of age to have to PAY then he should have been allowed to board with an adult but that would also lend me to agree with the for those under that age who did not have pay. I don't think there is a answer that would satisfy everyone but that's why these discussions are great :)
 
Prospective - your kids may be the epitome of self control and discipline but it is not the norm.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

i tend to see boat shows as a business event which the exhibitors attend to sell boats not to entertain families... I've only gone to a couple of shows as a serious prospective buyer (that was a few years back...) kids stayed at home.

as to shoes, even boat shoes, no matter what you will end tracking dirt from the docks, or worst hard stuff like stones or glass bits stuck in the threads that will scratch flooring. I dont' mind taking my shoes off.

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If you don't want to bring kids and don't see it as entertainment, thats okay. But that is not how it is marketed.

Of course they want to sell boats. I know they are not attending out of the goodness of their hearts. But the point is if you as a vendor attend an event marketed to the public and the public is charged to attend then that's the deal you've made. You should allow paid attendees on the boat.

If Newport wants to change the rules and say it's an adults only event and only sell tickets to adults the FINE. But then almost know one will go, the show will shut down and the disucssion will be over. But that's not what they do.

I would also point out that Thursday is called VIP day. Tickets are twice as much and that's the day most dealers have their dealmakers around. Obviously I don't bring my kids that day. And If I was serious about buying a new boat, that's when I'd go...
 
quote:
Originally posted by jmeirhofer

Prospective - your kids may be the epitome of self control and discipline but it is not the norm.

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Trust me, my kids are wild animals most of the time! I do my best to keep the carnage to a minimum.

But if the average kid, or even "some kids" are a problem, then kids should not be allowed, encouraged, or asked to pay to attend.
 
And that would be why people like he and my wife do not attend these kind if events often. And don't usually stay long when we do. Like I said above, maybe they can havrpe a kids only time to make everyone happy.
 
I think the parents should know how their kids will act, you should know your childs personality and you should decide if they can handle going on boats and not act up. I brought my daughter once and it's not that she is bad but she got bored. So now my wife and I make it a date day and leave my daughter at home.
 
Sorry but IMO a boatshow is not a family event. Seen it too often as well. Kids running wild, standing, jumping on seats & bedding, flipping switches on & off, ramming shifters back & forth while parents ignore them.

Sooner or later that boat is going to belong to somebody. I am sure the parents of the wild kids don't want the boat that somebody else's wild kid has run amock in.

As a potential buyer of a multi hundred thousand dollar boat I don't want the sales rep distracted keeping an eye on kids while I am trying to have a conversation with him.

Leave the kids, the strollers & the dogs at home.
 
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