Chicago Boat Show 01/16-01/20

Surfing sells boats. Any time you mention the low impact to a person over about 40 they perk up very quickly. Surfing blows through fuel at an alarming rate. Running a v8 full load almost wide open at close to peak torque output is going to burn some serious dino.

That is the only thing current boat buyers are interested and we have to deal with it. The manufacturers are dealing with it in a way that is very lucrative for themselves. Good for them we would all do the same. $$$$$$.

I prefer a swerve stick and my bare feet.

The sales kid said one of the great things about surfing is that anybody can do it since it is relatively easy on your knees, etc. His actual quote was,"Great for 60 year old guys."

I'd like to give it a try, but I would need access to a bigger boat. I bet your SS can do it very well Gary. I'd also rather devote my limited time to getting better at the things I can already do but aren't so good at. I bet it is a nice way to spend a day on the lake with a bunch of friends or family.

I've never tried surfing myself. It was a bit of an odd conversation because I asked the salesman why he thought surfing was so popular and he basically said that it was "easy on the body", e.g. low impact. This was coming from a salesman in his early 20s who from my past experience should have been into more aggressive watersports. He also mentioned that you can surf and drink beer at the same time, which seems the clinch the deal in his book.

I can see why surfing must be a godsend to the manufacturers. MSRP on the website for a '14 Ski Nautique is about 70K. That for a niche sport that few people have the dedication to learn. Instead dealers can finance a giant surfing boat to some noobs for twice the price/margin and they and their buds can be master beer-swilling surfers by the end of the month. Everybody wins.

I'm sure it is hard to be a great wake surfer, like anything. But it must not be very hard to get good fast for everybody to be taking it up like the cure for cancer. I remember folks saying the same dynamic generally holds true for wakeboarding (though again, I am a pretty poor wakeboarder so what do I know).

Hollywood wrote: I don't think Moomba is making a DD anymore.

I was at the (rather tiny) Fargo Boat Show today and the dealer selling Moombas told me the Outback only comes in V drive for 2014.

The Fargo show was too small for a new ProStar, SN 200, and there is apparently no market for Malibu's up here so they were nonexistent. One MC dealer had recently driven the new ProStar and had lots of love for it (naturally). Lots of pontoons, they must the the thing to have up here.

I did get to crawl around in a MC X45, a SAN 210 and a G23. The 210 was a beautiful boat. The G23 is a straight up behemoth. It looks/feels even larger than it is on paper. Can't imagine what you would do with such a thing.

The MC folks told me that surfing is all the rage (even so far as to claim that their "X" boats were designed for that very purpose) and that wakeboarding is going the way of the Dodo. I didn't know what to make of that...

Hollywood wrote: I saw a RLXi

TXi?

How did the new MC look in person?

Sorry I missed those who attended. I was in the ACBS booth from open to 5pm. I didn't get a chance to look around much. I was visited by Alan and wife there.

Had to call you out after the quoting you did to me above... :)

Never did see john b at the ACBS booth maybe he was on the break?
Found a bartender that poured a fair Margarita and a little kiosk off the main path with a short line and Coors Light!

Tige's new "baby changing station" is pretty funny. It's a giant plate under the platform. So much for easy storage...


Thurfing was the emphasis, every MFG has some sort of contraption. Fewer inflatables on display.

Mostly impressed by the pontoons. Didn't look at their price tags but I'm sure I couldn't afford any of them either.

All the ~20 do-nothing i/o's look like ski boats.

So much for "Ok. Cool" Moj' didn't even show up...

Show any good? Heading to the boat show with the wife and kids. Is there something I should not miss? Maybe get the ok for a 2nd boat or RV.....

Hollywood wrote: I am trying to coordinate schedules with people who can't make a damn decision.

Oh I don't know, I think this planning is going pretty smoothly considering this thread is brought to you by the same people that take 27 pages to plan every time they want to get together for a few beers.

Mojo wrote: So much for "That Works" and "You got that right"...... You guys let me know when your schedules will loosen up... John, do those guys know you have a jet ski???? hahaha Moj'

It's not a jet ski, Mojo, those require some degree of skill to operate. It is a PWC, the athletic equivalent of a Hoveround. I feel confident in stating it is likely I am the only person to ever ride one to a CC reunion. I was expecting to get a little rise at the GL VFW when I pulled into the static display and parked it on my arrival. I must say everyone was very gracious and had a sense of humor (or didn't express their outrage to me).
I think it should be recognized as a true classic, it is 29 years old!

Shoot me a text or stop by ACBS.

I signed up to work the ACBS booth all day Saturday. They said I can have some time off to mingle if it is warranted by either my good or bad behavior.

That works.

John/HW, you guys have a date in mind? I was thinking Sat afternoon 1/18, followed by a couple real "Chicago Beers"

Anyone else thinking of going down???