Chicago Boat Show 01/16-01/20

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   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).

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Hansel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September-21-2006 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 415	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hansel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January-26-2014 at 7:27pm
	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).

Gary S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January-26-2014 at 7:50pm
	I see another niche to be filled then.Most if not all these boats have heaters and showers. How about a refrigerated compartment that holds your favorite beverage and dispences it to the surfer much like a CamelBak Hydration Pack? I'd like to try surfing once but I'm not going to buy a bunch of stuff to do so,maybe at GL sometime.
	69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport

Hansel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September-21-2006 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 415	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hansel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January-26-2014 at 9:36pm
	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.

quinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828	Post Options Post Reply Quote quinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January-27-2014 at 10:33am
	Thirfing is for thithies, lol Done it a handful of times it really does not require much skill or effort. The aspect of that sport that to me is concerning is the huge impact or footprint it leaves in it's wake, literally. Pushing a 3-4ft wake continuously is only going to upset people and ultimately give all of water sports a black eye. Read where some of these guys are pushing 5k of ballast and burning fuel as fast as u can pour it in.

phatsat67 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: March-13-2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 6157	Post Options Post Reply Quote phatsat67 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January-27-2014 at 11:24am
	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.

Hansel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September-21-2006 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 415	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hansel Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January-27-2014 at 12:34pm
	Quinner, I agree on the wake hazard. "My" lake back home is rather small and most people have seawalls. It is enough of a bathtub on the weekends with only the tubers behind random non-ballasted I/Os. Luckily it seems that most of the kids on the lake are actually being taught to ski, but I dread the day that surfing takes hold. Zach, I agree that we benefit indirectly. It is good for all of us to have CC selling boats period. Love the "swerve stick and bare feet" comment.

Chicago Boat Show 01/16-01/20

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