As you know, the Denver Boat Show is coming up January 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Colorado Boat Center will be there (Booth A2) showing our Barletta and Regal Boats brands. We hope to see all our customers there as well (and there may still be time to register for FREE TICKETS – click HERE by January 10th to apply!)
If you’ve never been to a boat show before, read on … we’ve compiled some tips and ideas on how to shop a boat show and how to plan your visit, especially if you’re thinking of buying a new boat this season.
Why go to a boat show?
An indoor show like the Denver Boat Show is a great way to see all the latest models of boats and boating accessories on display. Here in Denver, you’ll encounter aisle after aisle of boat manufacturers showing their latest models.
So a boat show like Denver’s is a very convenient way to comparison shop for a boat. You might have Brand X in mind, but you’ll get to see and compare Brands Y and Z as well. And you may even find a boat brand you never heard of that’ll turn your head!
You’ll get to meet brand representatives and ask them a lot of questions. And boat shows are always excellent for saving money: with all the boat brands collected under one roof, these companies are anxious to do some deals during the show.
Boat shows are also fun, and an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with your family. The Denver show will have some kids activities. And you can attend the various boating seminars and workshops on offer and learn something new about boating.
How to Shop a Boat Show
If you’re in the buying mode, here’s some things to keep in mind.
- Set a budget before you go
Have a number in mind of what you can afford. There are websites that will help you calculate what you can afford in down payments and monthly loan payments. Then you should add ownership costs: maintenance, off-season storage, winterization, fuel, insurance, taxes and registration.
If you’re really serious, get pre-approved by a lender before attending a show. You’ll find the dealers and brands will be ready to make some excellent deals if they know they’re dealing with a pre-approved customer.
- Define Your Needs
Know what kind and brand of boat you want and what you want to do with it. Try answering (on paper or in your head) these questions before you go:
- I’m looking for (this type of boat).
- My budget is ($$)
- I want to look at (Brands A, B, C)
- I want to get to know a local dealer (like Colorado Boat Center)
- I want to find the most outrageous (??)
Know your water: here in Colorado, especially on the Front Range, there are lots of beautiful lakes and reservoirs where most boating is done. And consider the size of boat you want when thinking about where you’ll use it: Barletta pontoons, for instance, come in tritoon and bitoon versions. Which one would work best in the lake you plan to sail in?
And don’t forget trailering and winter storage–both are important considerations for Colorado boaters.
- Have a game plan for the show
Most boat show visitors have a good idea of the type and size of boat they want to buy. That alone helps them narrow down the search and focus on particular brands and dealers.
You can plot a course through the convention hall by making a list of the manufacturers or dealers you want to see. Pick up a map of the convention hall when you arrive.
As you walk the aisles, take notes and pictures of the boats you like for future reference. Most boats on display will have a sign listing the price, features and options.
- Make a deal
Dealers will be anxious to make some deals at the Boat Show. It’s early in the season, the new models are on display and they’re ready to move some fiberglass! You’ll find some good deals, Show discounts, and incentives, such as free off-season storage, free or discounted maintenance, winterization deals or a package of accessories.
- Don’t be afraid to walk away
We know…dealers never say things like that! But if you don’t find the exact model, with all the bells and whistles you’ve dreamed of, you don’t have to settle. You can order a boat to be customized to your wants, or ask the dealer if he has a similar model back at his dealership. The Denver Boat Show is in early January and we won’t be boating here in Colorado for a few months yet…so there’s time for you to order a boat for future delivery just the way you want it.
But whatever you do, have a good time! Boat shows are like gatherings of the boating tribe. You’ll enjoy meeting and talking boats with others who love the lifestyle as much as you do. Learning about all the latest technologies and features is both fascinating and good fun. You’ll likely see or learn something new on every aisle!
And be sure to stop in and say hello at our Colorado Boat Center booth A2. We love to meet and greet our customers, and help everyone else become a customer! And we understand that Boat Shows are as much informational as they are sales opportunities, so we’re happy if you just want to stop by, see our boats on display, chat a while and move on. Everyone is welcome at the Denver Boat Show.
See you there!
