Mobile Boat Show

[Masbama]

I went to the annual Mobile Boat show this weekend. It is a big show that takes up over 100,000 square feet of the Mobile Convention Center plus the overflow outside around the center. As was last year; the theme seemed to be ‘bigger is better’. Very few boats under 21 feet. Many boats were 25 feet and larger with multiple engines.

It seems almost all the boats were at least $50,000, and the big three or four engine outboard boats were going for $250,000 to $500,000.

The Boston Whaler group was well represented with a 170 Montauk ($42,000) and a 190 Montauk ($62,000). They also had a couple of large Vantage models but no 130 Sport like they usually bring.

I also looked for outboard motor representation and it was: 60% Yamaha, 20% Mercury and the rest Suzuki with a few Honda’s. I did not see one Evinrude motor and was disappointed because I wanted to see first hand the new three cylinder models.

[jimh]

Apparently Yamaha is dominating the outboard market in your coastal saltwater area. At only $42,000 that new 170 MONTAUK sounds very affordable in comparison to those other big outboard boats.

[Jefecinco]

A 190 Montauk at $62,000 seems incredible. That's just shy of 100% more than we paid for ours just ten years ago. The features remain almost identical and the construction method is unchanged. Mine is for sale so I'll remember that price during negotiations.

[Phil T]

Keep in mind the MSRP for a stock Montauk 190 is $49,381, a Montauk 170 is $35,198, not including delivery and prep. The boats at the Boat show often have pricey options.