"Unsinkable" versus Upright Floatation - Moderated Discussion Areas

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Author Topic:   "Unsinkable" versus Upright Floatation

onlyawhaler posted 03-05-2008 01:24 PM ET (US)
At our last boat show in Salt Lake City, it marked the first year I didn't see a Whaler by the dealer who carries Whaler on a limited basis. We obviously need a new dealer.
As I went around the show and looked at everything, I was asked by salesmen and factory reps "what kind of boat do you have" When I said "I have a Boston Whaler" most of the time it brings a compliment even in our limited Whaler market.
It also brings along of the time the comment that goes something like this "Our boats all have upright flotation so they are safe as well"
I know that there is a requirement for boats to have a certain amount of [buoyancy] to meet a Coast Guard requirement for "upright flotation" The challenge I have with this is that I KNOW these same boats can and do sink. I can think of several boats last summer at Lake Powell that went down that have "upright flotation".
One particular salesman was so overbearing I went as far as to say, "OK, bring your "upright flotation boat" and your pink slip and I will bring mine and I will meet you at the ramp after ice off and we will pull out all plugs, load in four to five people and see how confident you are with your "upright floatation."
I turned 50 this year. Maybe I am getting a bit argumentive at my age. It seems I am just getting increasingly impatient at some people's stupidity.
I know as we all do the "unsinkable" nature of our boats and the listed swamped rating. Nobody does that.
I guess my question is: How good really is "upright flotation and how can that be claimed when I know some of these do sink and go down?
Thanks
Onlyawhaler

Tohsgib posted 03-05-2008 01:54 PM ET (US)
How can something be labeled "new and improved?" If it is NEW, how can it also be improved?
Courtesy of Len Simpson.
Jerry Townsend posted 03-05-2008 06:53 PM ET (US)
OnlyAWhaler - there is not a Boston Whaler dealer in Salt Lake City. There used to be one on Main (on 4th and Main as I recall) - but a request of the Whaler website comes up empty.
Here in Idaho Falls, the "closest" dealer is in West Yellowstone - and that is where I bought my Outrage a few years ago - but the last time I was past the Yellowstone Marine - I did not see any Whalers.
Your experience with the dealers reminds me of a similar question by a dealer on State (south of 7200) - when he asked what boat I had. When I responded with a Whaler Outrage, he said that his boats were far better than the Whalers. Kinda looks like the Utah boat dealers are a bit skewed - or something else. ----- Jerry/Idaho
jimh posted 03-05-2008 08:04 PM ET (US)
Any boat salesman (other than a Boston Whaler dealer) knows he is facing an uphill battle when he asks a prospective customer "what kind of boat do you have now" and gets the answer "a Boston Whaler."

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Author	Topic: "Unsinkable" versus Upright Floatation
onlyawhaler	posted 03-05-2008 01:24 PM ET (US) At our last boat show in Salt Lake City, it marked the first year I didn't see a Whaler by the dealer who carries Whaler on a limited basis. We obviously need a new dealer. As I went around the show and looked at everything, I was asked by salesmen and factory reps "what kind of boat do you have" When I said "I have a Boston Whaler" most of the time it brings a compliment even in our limited Whaler market. It also brings along of the time the comment that goes something like this "Our boats all have upright flotation so they are safe as well" I know that there is a requirement for boats to have a certain amount of [buoyancy] to meet a Coast Guard requirement for "upright flotation" The challenge I have with this is that I KNOW these same boats can and do sink. I can think of several boats last summer at Lake Powell that went down that have "upright flotation". One particular salesman was so overbearing I went as far as to say, "OK, bring your "upright flotation boat" and your pink slip and I will bring mine and I will meet you at the ramp after ice off and we will pull out all plugs, load in four to five people and see how confident you are with your "upright floatation." I turned 50 this year. Maybe I am getting a bit argumentive at my age. It seems I am just getting increasingly impatient at some people's stupidity. I know as we all do the "unsinkable" nature of our boats and the listed swamped rating. Nobody does that. I guess my question is: How good really is "upright flotation and how can that be claimed when I know some of these do sink and go down? Thanks Onlyawhaler
Tohsgib	posted 03-05-2008 01:54 PM ET (US) How can something be labeled "new and improved?" If it is NEW, how can it also be improved? Courtesy of Len Simpson.
Jerry Townsend	posted 03-05-2008 06:53 PM ET (US) OnlyAWhaler - there is not a Boston Whaler dealer in Salt Lake City. There used to be one on Main (on 4th and Main as I recall) - but a request of the Whaler website comes up empty. Here in Idaho Falls, the "closest" dealer is in West Yellowstone - and that is where I bought my Outrage a few years ago - but the last time I was past the Yellowstone Marine - I did not see any Whalers. Your experience with the dealers reminds me of a similar question by a dealer on State (south of 7200) - when he asked what boat I had. When I responded with a Whaler Outrage, he said that his boats were far better than the Whalers. Kinda looks like the Utah boat dealers are a bit skewed - or something else. ----- Jerry/Idaho
jimh	posted 03-05-2008 08:04 PM ET (US) Any boat salesman (other than a Boston Whaler dealer) knows he is facing an uphill battle when he asks a prospective customer "what kind of boat do you have now" and gets the answer "a Boston Whaler."