Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

A conversation among Whalers
Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby Jefecinco » Sat Mar 30, 2019 10:00 am

Our local MarineMax dealer was kind enough to give us two gratis passes to the three day show. We went yesterday. It was quite a show with what seemed to be hundreds of boats including a several in the water. Most of the boats were center consoles between 15 and 45 feet LOA with outboard power. About twenty of the boats in the water were used including some yachts up to 55 feet. A 1968 Buddy Davis custom sport fisherman with a beautiful traditional sheer and a lot of bright work was offered at $499,000. A very traditional looking Dyer electric powered launch style taxi boat was displayed as well as a hybrid powered kayak with an electric powered lower unit and pedals for one's exercising enjoyment.

Jane really liked the Boston Whaler 160 Sport and thought it was reasonably priced. The small Boston Whalers were discounted 10% for the show. The larger ones were discounted at around 20%. A half hull 190 or 210 Montauk was on display showing off the foam filling.

The electronics displays were disappointingly sparse except for Simrad and Raymarine.

Our favorite local restaurant, Cosmos, was offering fast food at very reasonable prices.

For our local members I highly recommend the show today or tomorrow.

It was a nice way for us to celebrate our 41st Anniversary.
Butch

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby porthole » Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:18 pm

We are in Gulf Shores for the winter and I went to the show Friday.

Although the boats seemed to be arranged haphazardly I thought it was a good show as boat shows go.

First one I have been to in a long time where about anything you wanted to look at was there.

Was disappointed that the World Cat dealer elected to leave their most popular sizes, 23’ and 25’ at the dealership.

Was also disappointed in myself when I declined a test ride in a twin Yamaha edgewater with the joystick option.

When I went back later after having an interest the test rides were over for the day.

Compared to the Northeast shows, pricing seemed to be lower down here. For example a twin 150 25’ Sea Hunt with nice electronics was priced at what seemed to be 25-30k less then what I’m accustomed to.

Good food, some live music, was a nice day.
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF

Masbama
Posts: 355
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:33 pm
Location: Mobile, Al

Re: Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby Masbama » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:45 pm

Wish I could've made the show. Did they have any Whalers in the water for a test run?

porthole
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:57 pm
Location: LSD Lower Slower Delaware

Re: Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby porthole » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:53 pm

There were several of the bigger Whalers in the water, including a couple with Seakeeper's installed.
Thanks,
Duane
2016 World Cat 230DC
1999 Outrage 21, Yamaha SW Series II 200
1997 Outrage 18, Yamaha 125
1983 15 SS, Honda 50
1980 42 Post
1983 34 Luhrs 340 SF

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby Jefecinco » Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:15 am

We drove past the show on Saturday, day 2, and the attendance appeared to be about double the attendance on Friday based on the number of vehicles in the free parking lot and parked all over some vacant land nearby. Sunday was cold and rainy so I imagine many vendors left before the show was over.

Aside to Duane - Glad you enjoyed the show and hope you've enjoyed your Winter here. We moved here after 24 years in Spanish Fort last May. We had a condo on Little Lagoon for about eight years before moving into our home on the ICWW.
Butch

Tacky79
Posts: 130
Joined: Wed May 03, 2017 1:49 pm

Re: Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby Tacky79 » Mon Apr 01, 2019 5:38 pm

Someday, we'll fly out to a real boat show so we can see all the Whaler lineup, and others.

Here at the Denver boat show, there are maybe 2 or 3 Whalers (understandable, given the market) and about 12 trillion ski/surf boats with obnoxious wraps and paint schemes and huge speakers and trailers with cool-looking wheels.

Butch - so.... did you get the 160 Sport????
2017 Boston Whaler Montauk 190 w/ 150 Merc/Fish Pkg/Bowrail delete/aft seating
1979 Boston Whaler Harpoon 5.2 sailboat with sails and a tiller :D

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: Orange Beach Boat Show at The Wharf Marina

Postby Jefecinco » Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:40 am

Dave - No 160 Sport....yet. This year we're dry slipping the Montauk. If that works out well we'll keep the Montauk until it either becomes too much for me or we decide to put a pier and boat lift on the canal. At any rate I'm quickly approaching the age when a 19 foot boat no longer makes sense so the Montauk will have to go. Then the question will be to buy a smaller boat or just become boatless. If it's time for a smaller boat I may just concentrate on rehabilitating Jane's Sport 13 or buy a late model small Whaler such as a 150 Montauk or 160 Sport. We have had boats for 41 years and the idea of being boatless is distasteful.
Butch