Boat Show - Raleigh, NC

[Red57Bird]

Went to the boat show here in Raleigh this past weekend, and it was one of the better ones I've been to. Good mix of off-shore, I/O and wake boats, and most of the companies had lots of different boats to look at. I've been to some shows in the past where they only had one or two boats to check out.

White Lake was there representing Correct Craft and they had (8) different boats there, with a good mix of models and colors. Overall they seemed to get a better share of buyer traffic and there were lots of people checking out the boats.

One thing you all may get a kick out of was some of the tactics that Malibu used. They were really touting their LED light package, so they had a bunch of flashing LED lights all throughout their booth and their boats. Catchy, but VERY annoying after about 30 seconds - I thought I was going to have an epileptic fit at any moment. The best was the scantily clad blond with the very short shorts, tuxedo vest, bow tie, and the pin on her vest with the annoying red LED light. Funny thing is that there were lots of guys (including me) standing in the aisle checking out, as my 13-year old calls them, the "hottie", but no one was going into their area to look at the boats. Kind of gave me the impression of a company that was desperate and relying on gimmicks to get some buyer traffic. Didn't work, at least not that I saw.

[aquaholic]

RE: Boat Show - Raleigh, NC

Red57bird, you must have had better luck than me! I bought a 236 from them last year. I went into the booth three different trips and they would not even talk to me! The mastercrap dealer was just as sorry! The only salesman that even spoke was from the malibu booth!!

[Red57Bird]

Aqua - that is surprising. White Lake seems to have a great reputation and I have several friends that have bought boats from them and have been very happy. Lake Gaston Water Sports had a display next to them and they are a Correct Craft dealer as well. LKG only had Bryant boats on display, I'm assuming because they trade-off on who displays at the different shows.

The people at Lake Gaston were great and I talked one of their reps about finding me a pre-owned boat. I have a weekend house up there and it is very convenient for me to work with them. They also seem to have a good reputation as well.

[SkiTower]

I also went to the show, and I'm on my second boat from WhiteLake. I understand your position about them not coming up. I think they were a little understaffed. I've gotten to know everybody down there and only saw two that I recognized. I had a chat with one but the other just gave me a wave. I will say this, I originally went there because the family was vacationing at WhiteLake and when we went in we were treated very well. The sales and service are exceptional and THAT is why I do business with them. PDT_007 I will say that the blue/gray 206 they had on display is a GORGEOUS boat...

Boats Unlimited (MC), on the other hand, I've heard too many horror stories about Sales and Service at the dealership and the boats themselves were seriously tacky. PDT_030 I also checked out the Malibus but came in the back so I by-passed the tacky display. I had a talk with a Malibu sales rep and a good look at a VTX but I'm still happy with my decision to go with CC and the SV211.

[Red57Bird]

My personal favorites were the blue and yellow 211 and the green boat (couldn't remember which model). I really like the new green, I believe they call it Peridona Green. It looks really good.

[aquaholic]

maybe it is just the graham dealership, but the service i have got has been sorry! I have a couple of friends that will drive to the white lake dealership, when the graham dealership is only 5mins away!

[NautiqueJeff]

I have dealt with the Graham dealership plenty of times and have never had a problem. They sold me my first boat, and I still use them for service.

[Roddyj]

one of my friends bought a 2005 SAN at graham last year. they said EVERYTHING had been changed. After 50 hours he went to change the oil himself and the oil filter had the last hour it had been chnaged. it was well over 100. the v drive dipstick's paint hadnt been broken either, if that makes sense (it was still sealed from the factory)...on the other hand, the guys at the white lake one are awesome.

[Roddyj]

ohh yea, my boat show fav was the 210, that boat was awesome looking.

[SkiTower]

I've only dealt with the WL location, however the guy who runs the Graham store gave me my first test ride (he happened to be at WL at the moment) and seemed cool. On a couple of occasions they've missed things but were very quick to correct them.

The new graphics make me wish I had waited for an '08.

I've got a base 2007 (275 hp)and want a little more hole shot. Anybody know if I'll notice a difference to change to a TE prop?

[FatBoy]

I noticed the same thing at the BU exibit. I came away thinking that BU must be marketing to 13 year old skateboarders.

[Red57Bird]

Yea, don't get me wrong. I've got no problems with the good lookin' women in the dealer areas, but the outfit screamed out "cheesy strip club". I was waiting for the 70's porno music to crank up and her to start taking off the outfit. The only thing that was missing was the stripper pole :shock:

Take the same girl, put her in a pair of khakis and a golf shirt, and it would have portrayed a much more inviting, professional image.

[Red57Bird]

ohh yea, my boat show fav was the 210, that boat was awesome looking.

Roddy - which one was the 210? Was it on the back wall, or was it one of the boats pointed out towards the middle of the building?

[SNMike]

Take the same girl, put her in a pair of khakis and a golf shirt, and it would have portrayed a much more inviting, professional image.

Agreed!! But, uh.......can we still keep the pole idea? Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[Red57Bird]

Take the same girl, put her in a pair of khakis and a golf shirt, and it would have portrayed a much more inviting, professional image.

Agreed!! But, uh.......can we still keep the pole idea? Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

Mike - good point. I guess they could use one of the towers on their boats. That's about the only thing they would be good for :razz: