www.tampaboatshow.com

This is my favorite area show for a few reasons...

- I live ~10 minutes from the convention center
- The TCC top deck has 200k sq ft of air-conditioned space ... wall-to-wall boats & booths
- The in-water displays are always impressive... yachts, go-fasts, off-shores, top-end day boats, etc, etc...

Last year was my favorite show.
Multiple visits to the show w/friends, w/family & a combination of both

Who is going & what days?

In the nicest possible way... I hate you LL! Why do you always have to rub in the fact that you live so close to an awesome facility like the Tampa Convention Center?!
The Peoria Civic Center is a great facility, but there are not any docks there!

As usual, I'll be at the show in spirit. And take pictures, please!?

I will be there, not sure which day or time, but I will be there.

Billy, it’s a given that I will take many pics & post them (w/my novice comments )

For the Tampa area crew: if you want to link up...
The family & I will be at the show from ~5:30 ‘till close tomorrow.
On Saturday & Sunday, I will be there each day w/family and/or friends, times TBD.

I'll think of you at your show, while I am out on my "3 day/2 night" Red Flannel cruise this weekend. And I hope to be able to post pictures, too!

The show has been great!
We (family) spent a few hours there yesterday. Today I was there ~7 hours solo.

Today was one of the busiest Saturdays I have seen at a show.
Everyone admits the economy is tough, but after talking to reps & seeing sold signs – things aren’t as dire as depicted imo.

Today was likely the busiest day - since tomorrow is opening Sunday NFL.
Not sure if I will head back tomorrow or not...

Since I love to post pics - look for many topics from this show (some of them interesting )

I thought the turnout of boats that I want to see was weak, bowriders and sport cruisers (or yachts), didn't seem to be as many and nowhere near the variety of years past. Lots of big and expensive, lots of fish rigs, lots of ski boats.

Looks like Monterey may be changing dealers here, O'Neils wasn't even at the show and the Monty's that were there belonged to Indian Springs Marina, which also deals Larson and Century. Can't say that I suprised they have made a change, but it looks like the new guys don't have a service department. I also noticed that most (not all) of their Monty's were Mercruiser equiped where O'Neil's was all VP.

CMJ, Not sure how accurate it is, but I have the scoop on Indian Springs picking up Monterey.
It is nothing negative & just the way business goes.

Indian Springs will be dropping Larson.
The Larsons at the show are what is left of their inventory.

I have heard a few negative things about Indian Springs, but my experience with them at the shows has been great (but talking to people and buying a boat from them are night and day). Who knows - time will tell.

Weak show...
The in-water boats were definitely down this year.
The exib hall was just as packed imo.

A more diverse display of boats & more ski boats than ever.
I took about 400 pictures, in case you wanted to see things you missed CMJ

I can't believe that I completely forgot about the show

I should have e-mailed you Juan

It was a blast for me - especially Saturday when I went without the family.
I hung around most of the day, just wondering around, chatting & taking pics.

I must not have looked like a buyer today, not one salesman approached me.

I like to ask questions & I am not shy.
I had more than half a dozen people remember me from past shows.

I met some new dealers as well.
Seems like more trailerable boat places displayed at the show.
(many dealers outside Tampa Bay)

Btw, my tickets were courtesy of Marine Max Friday & Thunder Marine Saturday.
It is good keep a rapport with dealers while always shopping

Did you happen to notice many non-US brands, like Sessa?

Kelly

Kelly, the quick answer is “no”.
I will go over the directory though & see what I missed.

Since you missed the show Juan & for BillyB “in-spirit”... a few pics...

A line of Dorals



The best Chris Craft display I have seen









Sold MasterCrafts



More skiboats... there were 5 or 6 brands at the show



The kids wanted to wait in line for a picture...
It was late in the day... many seemed looped.
Andy was sober though
After holding a woman in the air, a few people ahead of us...they toned it down for our kids.
Quick impression; partying guys & good people



It was a great show.
Maybe next weekend I will actually do some of my own boating