Monza

Great comments! Welder, interestingly, my specialty is trade shows and I am very well connected. I have never thought about a niche boat show but I am going to kick the idea around with some colleagues. Seabob4, to your point, I don't know anyone that is happy building boats. I am fascinated by the process and love to smell the fiberglass, but I am more suited to working in corporate offices. I will contact Mike, thanks for the tip. Have Knots, first rule of marketing is know your audience and target specifically their wants and interest. I never realized the obvious, shame on me but it is a testament to my mind set once I walk into the Miami or Ft Lauderdale boat show, the audience there is so widespread but I would imagine the average boat price there is in excess of 100K. With the push of putting triple on boats now, even a 30 foot cc is well over 100K. Heck, for that matter the bigger brand names are commanding nearly 100K for duals. There is definitely are large audience of regular Joes that would appreciate a targeted show. Ironically, Ship Shape TV started rubbing me the wrong way when John replaced the $20K generator of his 56' Monterrey. The show convinced me that although some day I might be able to afford a used sport fishing boat, I won't be able to afford to fix it. If the generator went out on me, I would have to sell the boat. I was hoping, and I recommend it to the show, that he would show the steps involved in painting your engines. That is the kind of show I need, targeted at the regular Joe. However, he is kind of a genius though. Get sponsors to fix your boat for free and get paid while doing it. I better stop guys, because when I get started talking about boats I can't help myself. Anyways, great input! I really appreciate the comments tips and ideas.

Have Knots, I am no expert but I have common sense. When the dock hand gets right on the edge of the dock and gets straddled, I assumed he was going to stop the boat. It is normally not an issue, but it was that day. I usually just use a touch of reverse but since he was there and I didn't want my boat to be blown into another boat I let it have forward but very slow momentum. Now, I assume that I am not going to get any help and it makes things easier. However, your advice is right on and I will think about it next time I am sure.

Before my question, let me just say that I have always had such a great passion for boats that quite frankly may not be normal. Whenever I am driving down the highway and I see a boat being trailered I speed up or slow down to get a closer look. If I go to boat shows I get sick with all the different things I want to do to my boat or start thinking about upgrading. Sometimes, I avoid being around boats just to keep my sanity. With that said, I am educated (MBA) marketing professional with many years of experience in the technology field. I was recently let go and I am actively pursing another similar job. However, I am not passionate about about technology and was wondering how to penetrate into the marine industry when your just an avid boater. If I could do for a boat manufacturer what I do for the technology sector I would be in heaven. It wouldn't even be called work for me. Anyone know how to get into the marine industry when you don't have the experience but a tremendous amount of passion for all things aquatic? Lastly, I have done well for myself in the technology field, can you make a comfortable living in marketing in the marine industry or are the margins and unstable market a detriment to my dream? Thanks in advance.

I was coming in very slowly head on to a concrete dock because there was limited space at a marina. A dock hand comes out to help and gets right on the edge of the dock kind of sideways or straddled. As my boat approached real slow, I expected him to stop the bow with his foot, instead he does nothing and says, "whoa Captain" just as my boat hits the dock and chips the gel coat. I know what your thinking, never stop a boat with your foot. I agree, but he could have easily put his foot on top of the boat instead of between the dock and the boat. That way it is safe and they way I always do it. Now I tell dock hands to stay away until I am tied up and then they can collect their fees.