How many of you are planning to attend the upcoming MPLS Boat Show?
For those of you who have been there, are there significant bargains for serious boat shoppers? Do any of the businesses deal with slightly used inventory at the show?
I’m planning to make an appearance, but do not want to waste my time if it’s solely a marketing event of the latest models with few savings to potential buyers.
Do any of the businesses deal with slightly used inventory at the show?
There are definitely deals on new boats there.
Some dealers will have photos of used boats they have for sale. Don’t ever recall seeing a used boat at the show.
-J.
It’s a great place to shop around to find and compare all brands and models. Just as important to compare Dealers.
I’ll be there nosing around for another dream boat. 
It’s a great place to shop around to find and compare all brands and models. Just as important to compare Dealers.
I’ll be there nosing around for another dream boat.
Dream boat as in fishing boat for Minnesota / Wisconsin or one of those cruiser boats for beaching on a island? Is it true the party crowd flags you down to get your Spam & Hamms? 
Hey Bucky,
There will be everything from Stand Up Paddle Boards to 30ft Pontoons with multiple 300 horse motors and everything in between.
I’m not sure that you will get a better deal “at the show” than you would if you walked into the dealership that day but I could be wrong in some cases.
What are you looking for?
I’very been looking into an Alumacraft Dominator, Voyageur, or Competitor in the 17′ range with either a full windshield or double bubble (single console only if a real great deal).
A 2-3 year old boat would be ideal. However, I’ve found boats in that age range have inflated prices almost identical to brand new boats (with an additional 50+ hours on the motors).
There are definitely deals to be had. The dealers will wheel and deal on used models as well, although none will be there of course.
One thing I’ve noticed over the last five years or so is the number of pontoon boats has really increased with fewer fishing boats.
That won’t keep me away however! It’s an addiction I can’t shake! 
+1 on the pontoon boats. Rows and Rows of those. However like others have said they will have a wide range of fishing boats there too. I talked candidly with a dealer at the Sportsman Show over the weekend. He said they don’t plan to bring the 2016 models but will have a great deal on them to move them. Another thing I noticed is they will be more flexible on negotiating the “accessories” to make a sale. Food for thought. If the used ones you are looking at are close to a new one than you might be better suited to negotiate the setup “YOU” want on a 2016, stretch the budget a little and be in a boat that would last you a life time..
JM2C…
Is it true the party crowd flags you down to get your Spam & Hamms?
Why do you think I fish at night?
Is there any discount tickets this year at Cub or anywhere else?
$2 off when ordering online, star tribune discount looks like it sold out already…
Go to your dealer and ask them if they have any comp tickets for you.
Is there any discount tickets this year at Cub or anywhere else?
How unbelievably packed can I expect this place to be?
Depends when you go. Saturday will be packed. Sunday with the football games not so much. Friday night pretty packed. Thursday afternoon not so much.
Where are you coming from?
We’re going Saturday about noon in hopes the dealers will be so over run with questions I’ll be towing a boat home without spending any money.
If your looking to save $2 on admission to the event and looking to get a $80k boat for $60k, this might not be the best place to spend your time.
JMHO.
Maybe I’m just a cheap arss
Just sayin. 
I’m pretty sure there are boats under $60,000 there. Besides, can’t think of a better place to kill some time then looking at boats and dodging baby strollers in the aisles.
Sure as heck beats going to each dealer to see what’s new and exciting in the float world this year.
Info collecting.
I’m pretty sure there are boats under $60,000 there. Besides, can’t think of a better place to kill some time then looking at boats and dodging baby strollers in the aisles.
Exactly. Plus not looking for a new boat unless a certain dealer comes to me, saying they have a customer that would like to buy mine and it just so happens that my wife would be next to me then we could be talking.
Anyway, looking to upgrade electronics this year and that is the true reason why I am going, not the 5 dollar beers which everyone raves about.
I didn’t see yarcraft, warrior or backtroller at the boat show. Pretty dissapointing. . What’s the deal?
Floor space is spendy. I know Lund was there but seemed to be representing a number of dealers. I’m sure Hannays will have a Yar Craft display at the Northwest Sports show. SBC should have Warrior at the NWSS also. Backtroller is almost always there too.
Well, sadly I didn’t come home with a new rig (need to sell the current one first). I was able to kick the tires on a few and narrow down the specific model search. I’ve decided that the Alumacraft Edge and Trophy models are not for me. The overwhelmingly wide gunnels take a lot of interior space. The Alumacraft 175 Competitor Sport seems like my target.
Other Random Observations:
1. The wake boarding boats with huge ballasts and towers were everywhere.
2. The pricing gap between Lund boats and their competitors is growing. I currently own a Lund, but can say that my next boat won’t be one.
3. Larson had a couple of well thought out fiberglass fishing boats on display. Their price point is in-line with aluminum boats too.
4. The fact that you can finance a boat for 15 years is crazy.
5. There are a lot of boats on display packaged with significantly underpowered outboards.
6. Crowds weren’t too bad at all (Saturday mid-day). I was able to talk with dealers without waiting.
I didn’t see yarcraft, warrior or backtroller at the boat show. Pretty dissapointing. . What’s the deal?
Backtroller was there in the same spot they have had for the last few years. Nice boat.
My random observation. If you are working a booth, put your F’ing phones away. If you NEED to use it, go outside with the smokers….. 
-J.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>PmB wrote:</div>
I didn’t see yarcraft, warrior or backtroller at the boat show. Pretty dissapointing. . What’s the deal?Backtroller was there in the same spot they have had for the last few years. Nice boat.
My random observation. If you are working a booth, put your F’ing phones away. If you NEED to use it, go outside with the smokers…..
-J.
X2
I wasn’t at the MBS but have been to other shows where this is a problem.
5. There are a lot of boats on display packaged with significantly underpowered outboards.
I saw that as well.
I spoke to a dealer about the 150 on an 18 foot boat that was rated for a 200. Their reply was “for $3k more you’ll be getting 3 to 5 mph and a more thirsty engine”.
The glass boat I wanted to feel wasn’t at the show, but I looked closely at 3 tin floats. Prices ranged from $31k to $40k.
That’s just nuts…but people are buying them.
I’m pretty perturbed at the Evenrude OB guys… Looking for a 60 horse and had questions. Like others had said one was too busy texting to give me the time of day and the other two were in depth visiting with another vender. Yamaha it is then. That dealer talked my leg off and pretty much sold me. Now I just have to come up with the scratch to buy one.
I saw that as well.
I spoke to a dealer about the 150 on an 18 foot boat that was rated for a 200. Their reply was “for $3k more you’ll be getting 3 to 5 mph and a more thirsty engine”.
That tells me more about the salesman’s motives than anything else. My boat is rated for a 175hp but the previous owner bought it with a 115hp. I gained fuel efficiency by moving up to a 150hp.
In my case, the 115hp was usually run full throttle all the time getting about 4mpg. The 150hp cruises slightly faster than the 115hp but at 5mpg, 5.5mpg at the same speed. If I really want to stretch the gas I can wring 6mpg out of it at 28mph.
Or it will get 3.7mpg at WOT but going 7mph faster than the 115. I rarely run it wide open though, even on Mille Lacs.
It’s been said here on Ido for as long as I can remember that we should always max out the engine for the boat.
Seems like 50 hp is a pretty good jump.
Be happy the evinrude boys didn’t talk to you!! I will never own another one!!
I looked up the specs on one 18′ boat on my phone, and found that it weighed about 440lbs more than a competitor’s seemingly comparable boat located 15 feet away. The heavier boat had a 115hp, while the lighter boat had a 175hp 
I’m no speed demon and rarely run wide open on my current boat, but when shopping for a new rig I want to be able to consistently cruise at 30-35mph on plane without having the throttle pinned and my one fishing partner sitting in the front of the boat.
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