The Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show is one is the best place for new boats and gear and I always attend each year. This year was no exception.
EXPENSIVE, EXPENSIVE, EXPENSIVE!
I can’t believe how expensive boats have become. It’s now common for high-quality, center console boats in the 34-foot range to be priced in the high $400,000’s!! It could be that it’s because of the added option of a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer but still…ouch!
WHALER AS THE NEW VALUE BRAND?
With the Jupiter 34 and Edgewater 34 coming in at a show price of around $490,000 the Boston Whaler Outrage 350 looks like a bargain at $410,000 (as does the Valhalla 33 at around $410k). Granted, the Whaler didn’t have the “Platinum” package but still was a good comparison and a foot bigger!
THE BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN BUYING A BOAT
LOTS OF HORSEPOWER
Numerous center consoles had triple and quad 425’s and 450’s. Scout’s 53 LXF had five Mercury 450hp racing engines and others even had “unlimited” horsepower ratings!
HUGE CENTER CONSOLES
The number of boat manufacturers with center consoles over 40′ is extensive. Some of the nicer ones I saw were from Intrepid, Blackwater, Jupiter, Valhalla, Grady-White, Scout and Invincible. HCB has the largest center console measuring a whopping 65 feet!
THESE WATER FLOATS ARE THE ULTIMATE BOATING ACCESSORY
INTRIGUING NEW BOATS
The Fort Lauderdale Boat Show’s most intriguing new boats I saw were from Valhalla Boatworks, Intrepid Powerboats, Blackwater and Viking. The “Nomad” series from Intrepid was a great design that is highly customizable. Valhalla has some of the best fit-and-finish, boats in the business combined with excellent performance. Blackwater was a surprise to me because I’ve never given them much thought but was surprised by their nice looks, supreme comfort and over-the-top, added touches. Finally, Viking unveiled the new lineup of “Billfish” boats and a new 38 open. The new Viking models have a more affordable price with excellent efficiency and performance.
EVERY BOAT DOESN’T NEED TO HAVE A SEAKEEPER
I was amazed at how many boats were equipped with Seakeeper stabilization. Seakeeper’s are amazing devices and certainly worthy for many boaters. However, unless you spend a lot of time bottom fishing or spend a lot of time slow-trolling, I don’t think they make sense for the money. Adding one of these can increase the price of a boat by $20k-$50k for most vessels under 45 feet.
RECAP VIDEO
