On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:35:17 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

My favorite boat show in this neck of the woods is a floating show
staged by the Anacortes Yacht Brokers twice a year. Usually about 70
boats, no non-broker vendors (of any kind), and some of the boats have
"mere" 5-figure price tags. It's a fun, slow paced, relaxed and
friendly shopping experience.

We have one of those down at Clinton Harbor every Fall. I agree - lots
of smaller boats in the water and quite a few brokered used boats in
the water. It's pretty slow paced and actually relaxing because
nobody beats you up if you want to board.

One of the problems with the big shows is that unless you're shopping
for a trailer boat there is almost nothing shown for less than
$250,000- even used. It costs such an enormous amount of money to put
a boat in the show that brokers tend to feature vessels where there is
a serious commission to be earned. It costs the same to display a
$79,000 36-foot 1983 Tollycraft ($8000 commission) or a $479,000 36-
foot 1997 Grand Banks ($48,000 commission), so you can't really blame
the brokers; but I think it sends the wrong message to folks who are
just beginning to consider taking up boating as a pastime.

Just the cost of the display area shocked me. There were three
marinas in the one I'm working for/with/attached to and four brands -
Contender, Wellcraft, Starcraft and Larson. $65K for the space and
around an additional $11K for carpet (required) and electrical
service.

Ay che mama.. :)

Folks who want to go boating will certainly need some disposable
income to play with, but plenty of peoplewho aren't independently
wealthy and who don't have hundreds of thousands invested in a boat
have a safe and wonderful time on the water

I have this idea that I might discuss with you (and a couple of others
here who are business oriented) shortly to address this very thing.

I still need to think it through.

While I have you here, is Tollycraft still in business? I saw a 36'
diesel Tollycraft for sale the other day in Niantic - I didn't know
they made diesel boats - I think it was an 80/81 maybe? In good shape
according to the ad.

I've always liked the Tollycraft boats.