Notes from the Tampa Boat Show

[Necessary Evil]

Here's a note I sent my brother about this weekend's Tampa boat show. Just FYI, we own a 2008 Tiara 38 Open that we just LOVE! I was real interested in seeing the new model Tiara's in person, but I was a little disappointed. The Tiara quality was still very evident, and the interior workmanship is still breathtaking, but they did some truly Micky Mouse crap on the dashboards, and I think the new verticle transoms just don't look as good. They add cockpit space without a doubt, but I like the lines on my older boat better. Just my taste. Also saw the new 60 Vike (drool drool and buy lotto tickets), and the new Zeus drive 40 Cabo. So, here goes...

Small show, only about 40 boats in the water, and many of those were trade ins or brokerage. No GB's at all, only about three boats over 60 feet. Galati had the new Vike 60, four staterooms and absolutely gorgeous! A big queen master amidships to port, huge head, then two very small over/under bunk rooms along the starboard companionway sharing a small head, then a nice V berth with a bigger sized lower berth and a standard upper. Easily room for four couples, two couples + four kids, or seven guys. This one had the enclosed bridge, but I'd opt for the open bridge myself. I bought a lottery ticket, just in case

They had the new Tiara 43 Open and the new 39 Open. I was a little disappointed with both of the new models. On both boats they've kind of squashed the helm area forward a bit to give mezzanine seating behind, which is ok, but they've really screwed up the dashboard area. Instead of our, very functional flat locker/chart storage to port, they've put in a fake glove box more appropriate to a Bayliner and stuck the radio in there! Really cheesy looking and so much less functional! Instead of a nice flat area to lay out charts or books, you've got this silly looking humped up glove box. It looks like they dug up the guy who invented big fins for 1950's Cadillacs and turned him loose on the dashboard. What were they thinking? The instrument panel has been changed some as well. No big complaints, but it just looks a bit less business like and functional to my eye. More Sea Rayish. They moved the throttle/shifters rearward and lower, perfect for accidentally hitting with your elbow if you ask me. I like ours better and I don't understand why the messed with the dash at all.

The new 39 may have a better layout available, but this one must have the A layout, big galley, big dinette, larger head, and seems much more cramped and much less functional than our interior. The 43 also has the cheesy dash. Really looks cheap and does no good that I can see. The cockpit however, is really huge, much bigger than ours and easily roomy enough for a chair. The interior is nice. The bunk room is tiny, but would be nice to stash kids in. No rod storage on either boat. I really prefer our interior and helm area to either of the new ones. I wonder what they were thinking? That 2008 38 that was tied up down the pier from us was there too (trade in I guess), and its just a better looking boat than the brand new 39! The reverse transom, the businesslike dash, and the roomier helm seating area really look better, in my opinion.

Also looked at the new Zeus powered Cabo 40. Much fishier cockpit and helm area than the Tiaras, really well layed out and very functional. But down below they have a queen berth, a big dinette, a galley and a head. No rod storage either that I could see. All very plain and no room for fishermen! Weird! They have jackshafts running to the Zeus drives, so using the Zeus gains them nothing in interior room. The captain said they hit 40 knots on the way over to the show burning 70 GPH, but running very light. So, the Zeus gives you some speed and efficiency, but this is essentially a day boat with accommodations for a couple, but not for four or five fishermen.

And that's it. I did not pay real close attention to the prices, but its definitely still a buyer's market. The mood on the floor of the convention center where the small boats are was pretty anxious. Lot's of "dealer demo" specials, "easy finance", "low payments" type sales pitches. The number of exhibitors was way down, lots of big brands not represented at all. Clearly the surviving boat dealers have trimmed their new inventory way back and are anxious to sell their trades. Great time to be a buyer with cash!

On a related subject, I did chat with a guy who keeps his boat at the Marriott Waterside hotel (where we stayed last time) and he raved about nice the marina people were at the hotel and what a great deal it was. You have the run of the hotel, spa, new pool, restaurants, etc., plus there is trolley service down to Ybor City. Might be a really fun weekend destination.

I cleaned and buttoned up the boat and left the ins. papers in the bag.

CTC

Missed u yesterday. How was the show? Anything interesting there? How was the 43 tiara Open? Did they have the GB41? Any obviously low prices?

[reel fishy]

Tiara open's went back to the way they used to look. Guess sales dropped with the angled transom version, otherwise why would they change back? Still a good looking boat, just not for the hardcore fisherman. It's difficult to balance on the fence between a fishing and cruising crowd. What Tiara does well is provide a quality boat at a decent price.

The Cabo has rod storage in those upper lockers to port and starboard inside it's stateroom. Not the best use of space in those lockers but we make it work. The 35 I run has a rack in the head that holds 3, 50 size rod and reels upright. I also modified a compartment under the dinette to accept reels attached to rod butts.

I like to go to boat shows to see all the new toys. Unfortunately this show lacked a little bit of punch. Wish I had some spare cash lying around to buy a new boat and do my part to pull the industry out of it's slump. Great deals on used boats, just had to ask the brokers about them. My take... the show was definitely NOT worth the entry fee.

[Necessary Evil]

You're right about the deals on used boats reel. What a great time to buy! Just wish I were sitting on a mountain of cash!

The Cabo could have had more rod storage that I did not see. I just breezed through pretty quickly. Kind of a dumb layout if you ask me, but to each his own.

It's amazing even to me how upset I am about the new Tiara dash board treatments. Tiara usually does'nt do such silly things. God I hate silly boats, and I hate that my guys fell into the silly pond!