Boat Lovers Check on New Innovations at Show
By Lenore McKenzie-Morris
The Sundance 240 model had a set of steps leading up to its rear deck. With a Bimini top, wet bar and beautiful seating fore and aft, the 24-foot boat attracted quite a bit of attention on the opening day of the Boat Show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Add in the tax deduction because of the berths, galley and toilet below deck and the reduced price, and the Sundance comes up looking like a great way to spend $54,990.
With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $90,368, the boat made the show promoter’s claim of special pricing ring true.
Brought to the show by Marine Max of Wrightsville Beach, the boat was one of the larger models on display at the 2010 show.
Pat and Larry Chambers of Simcoe, Ontario were two of the boat owners who spent some time on board the 2009 Sea Ray Sundance 240 model.
“We have our own boat,” Larry said. “If I just had two more feet … it’s like the salesman over there said, it doesn’t take long before you get Two-foot-itis,” Larry said, noting that the couple already own a 22-foot-boot back home in Canada.
Pat said she and Larry would consider tying up and staying overnight in their boat if it had berths like the Sundance model. “Our children have boats,” she said. “We go out and spend weekends with them and the grandchildren. If we had a larger boat there’s a possibility we might stay and tie up.”
Pat noted she would only be sleeping in the front berth of the Sundance. Made for two people, the berth is a convertible seating area.
The rear berth, which is just a carpeted area, is accessible through a small opening on the port side of the boat beside the refrigerator and stove. You have to crouch down to get into it, then stretch your legs out into the even shallower space on the starboard side of the boat.
“I would not be sleeping there,” she said.
The boat show offered an opportunity for tourists and locals alike to explore everything from john boats to runabouts and cruisers.
Marine Max salesman Joe Jackson said his company brought 13 boats, ranging in price from $11,600 to $110,000.
“We’ve been in the show since it originated,” Jackson said. “We used to come down here and sell 20 boats. I’d like to sell 10. There’s been a lot of excitement coming back in the last 90 days. We had a pretty decent show in Fort Lauderdale in August, too, and reduced our stock.”
Brian Welch, general manager of The Boat Shed in Georgetown, said he was very optimistic about the show.
“It’s a buyer’s market,” he said. “Us boat dealers know that we have to give away some incentives.”
Buyers who purchase a john boat from The Boat Shed during the show were entitled to a free Coast Guard kit with life jackets, a fire extinguisher, flare, throw-able device, dock line, sounding device and bumpers. They also get free break-in service and a one-year membership to Sea Tow. Coupled with the Yamaha show pricing promotion for boat engines, the $700 to $1,500 john boats were going to tempt the local fishermen who use them extensively on the coastal creeks.
Buyers who purchased larger, fiberglass boats from the saltwater fishing line were given more incentives including six months dry dock storage. Those boats were priced in the $25,000 to $60,000 range.
Welch said many boaters own more than one boat and in these tougher economic times are using the smaller boats more to fish.
“Boating is a way to relieve stress,” he said. “It’s a form of recreation you can enjoy with your family. People are still doing it, but in a smaller capacity.”
David Kelly, a boater from Murrells Inlet, said he hasn’t let the economy stop him from getting on his boat several times a week. But he did venture out to the show with friends on Friday because he had cabin fever.
“It’s a chance to see what’s new, what’s available,” said Keith Crawley, a friend from Murrells Inlet. Crawley, who just recently bought a 2009 model, was intrigued by a boat at the show that offered storage space under the chair. “They’re always upgrading thing, changing things.”
In addition to new boats, the show vendors offered towing packages, docks and memberships to local boating chapters.
Frank Kiser, a member of the Long Bay Squadron, was signing up boaters for an ABC Boating Course on Jan. 16 at the Myrtle Beach Fire Station. The all-day session begins with registration at 8 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. The course is open to the public. Novice boaters who enjoy club memberships may join the squadron for advanced boating courses, boat races and other social events.
The U.S. Coast Guard was also offering education on boating safety. Flotilla Staff Officer Jack Stacey said the next course was on Feb. 6 in North Myrtle Beach at the Horry County Memorial Library.
“In our courses we cover boat operation and handling, navigation, personal water craft handling and state and federal laws,” said Stacey.
The February class is one of 12 different courses offered by the Coast Guard. Priced at $35, the two-day course runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 6, then continues on Feb. 13. A second family member can attend for $5.
The course is ideal for younger boaters who may want to ride a personal watercraft. At 15, boaters can take out a Jet Ski – but, Stacey said, they need to know all the laws and safety precautions of any boater.
Boaters who have it all were attracted to a display at the Hot Heads remote control boating booth. Matt Forde said one of the models, the Pro EP, can be rented for use at the lake at Broadway at the Beach.
The boat show runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
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