Portland Boat Show reports

corrirod · 01-03-2004, 06:31 PM

Just got back from the boat show. Good to see you Petermac/Mrs. Petermac and Miss B's brother!

I'm still impressed with the Trophy 2359 but maybe I'm skewed because I own the 2002.

Surprised at the 28' Motion Marine boat. Very, very nice. They can customize the interior in blocks, meaning everything is modular and can be moved or taken out. For instance if you camp on the beach you could take the whole stove outside to use on the beach! $125K puts it way out of my world but seems like a good value from the other boats I saw.

Seasports didn't seem to change much but I didn't look that close.

C-Dories looked about the same. The Orcas are nice, just didn't like the fishbox.

Boy it was a perfect day to go though. I assume most people expected the bad weather to come in so they didn't go to the show because it was empty by comparison.

KeyWest · 01-03-2004, 07:52 PM

Thanks for the report. Personally, I stayed away because I'm weak. I would have ended up putting a down payment on one.

Big TULE · 01-04-2004, 12:56 PM

Rod sorry i missed ya, i ran into PeterMac and misses and Ms.B bro. I like the Orca's and the arima... There was one there i can't remember what it was called but man was it a beauty and looked like i could take it out a long ways for some TU**.. And the 29 striper was a beauty for a cool 150...

ANDYCOHO · 01-04-2004, 04:19 PM

When I suggested that my wife and I go the Boat Show, my wife replied, "Why torture yourself, you aint gettn' nuttn' that new."

OUCH!! :depressed: [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

PeterMac · 01-04-2004, 09:29 PM

Good to bump into you too! I left there dreaming about the 24' Sea Sport Explorer. They even have a demo up in WA for a few grand off the show number.... Well, just 4 kids to get through college, then I am there

.

PeterMac

Beer Waggin · 01-05-2004, 06:53 AM

Did you guys get a chance to see the Shamrock boats?
Mid engine with direct drives. Very nice boats, they just forgot about the whole storage thing...

CATCH AND EAT · 01-05-2004, 07:15 AM

I had to stay away cause I thought I might be weak. Got a new truck but no new boat. However Cindy Lou is in shape for this years adventures.

PeterMac · 01-05-2004, 07:40 AM

NorDave - Ya, the Shamrocks look like a well built boat, but I didn't care for the door placement going into the cabin. I agree on the storage....

PeterMac

Reelentless · 01-05-2004, 04:21 PM

Anyone notice any good deals on outriggers?

Big TULE · 01-05-2004, 09:32 PM

Hey Dave i was wearing my IFISH hat when i stopped by the first day of the show...

Big Dave · 01-05-2004, 11:11 PM

You all need to swing by my booth (Echo Bay Resort #300) and just say HI !Like to put some face's on some of you out there !
Enjoy the show.....Big Dave.

PeterMac · 01-05-2004, 11:37 PM

Big Dave,

I stopped by and got all the info I need for a great trip next summer. You have an awesome looking place there.....

PeterMac

Billfisher · 01-06-2004, 02:07 PM

I didn't see any outriggers. I did also like the Shamrock's, but noticed that the interior was kinda lacking for such a pricey boat. You can't go wrong with a midships mounted diesel and a big bait tank, though. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Beer Waggin · 01-06-2004, 03:04 PM

Shamrock does so many things right and so many things wrong. To much wrong for the price IMHO and I won't buy a boat that I can't crawl in first. And since they won't bring in what I want with out me buying it first...

TWB · 01-06-2004, 07:22 PM

What length Of Shamrock's do they have on display?

I liked the looks of their 27' boat, from a picture that I saw, would like to see one of them up close.

Might have to go up there and take a look,if the ice and snow clears out this weekend....!

Reel Creel · 01-06-2004, 08:22 PM

Need to go back with out the wife she has good intent, but wants to just scoot out the door to fast.
As far as out riggers... i bought a set on ebay just the other day. 15ft glass poles and all the goodies for a song.

Beer Waggin · 01-07-2004, 11:12 PM

The Shamrocks at the show are 24 footers, I think... One walk around and one cabin model (can't remember what they call it).

corrirod · 01-08-2004, 09:21 PM

Wow, went back again tonight and what a mess! The power was out in the first two buildings so about 75% of the vendors split and the ones that stayed either used generators for power or just the expo centers emergency lights!

The power came on again about 8:30pm but those poor vendors are just taking it in the shorts this year. There was nobody around.

I got a kick out of one of the Shamrock reps. What an egotistical dufus! First thing he says when we step in the boat(29') is "This is THE best boat at this show" and I don't mean he said it with pride in a nice way, he was, well I can't say it without getting edited!

Anyway, that being said, my friend immediately points out the fact they used crappy handrails that are just barely tall enough to get your fingers in, meaning if you were to get tossed at all you would pull your fingers clean off your hand! He also noted that the table nearly bent while he was trying to get to the cuddy. I quickly found out that the fish hold would only accomodate about 2 kings and if not properly positioned would fall into the motor well. The roof was very soft so I'm not sure you could stand on it without falling thru. Then ReelCreel asks the million dollar question, what if I had some issues with the hull, would I have to send it back to Florida to get fixed? To which the sales rep began sputtering like a 69' Volkswagon Beattle running on one cylinder! D'oh!

Anyway, I didn't check out the smaller one so I can't comment on it. I'd had all the bull I could handle.

Did get a better look at the NorthRiver Alamar and it's a pretty nice setup for the dough. I especially like the $2000 sliding door, and that's no exageration, it's a $2000 upgrade! :shocked:

I do like the Seasport 22 Sportsman's. The 27 Navigator they had was nice except for the dual motors. The motor lid left about 8" on each side which made it impossible to stand on either side of it without getting your legs chopped off. The rep said they normally come standard with single motors but that one was a special.

You can't beat the fish holds on those boats though for size! Good lord you could hold about 20 halibut in the 2 holds on the 24XL!

corrirod · 01-08-2004, 09:23 PM

The biggest Shamrock was a 29'. It's a 27' boat with a 2' anchor step. I think the other open boat was a 24'.

TWB · 01-08-2004, 09:58 PM

Rod, thanks for the info. At one time I saw a picture of the 27' Shamrock in the Boat Trader. I fell in love with the style of the boat. A dealer had it in Seattle, think they wanted about $125,000. I think it had a single Yanmar Diesel. For that reason I never went up and looked at one......!!

I was thinking the same thing about the weather and that show.....they are problably taking a bath this year!

How is the ice and snow around there now...ok for travel? Clearing out nicely here now. Really getting tired of all this, cleared the parking lot at our business three times now.

Might try for that show on Saturday.

Jerry

WaterDog · 01-09-2004, 05:49 AM

Fortywinks and I hit the show yesterday as well. Got there when it opened at 3:00 and hoped there would be a half-price sale.

:grin:

We looked at boats in the 21 to 24 foot range. The SeaSport 22' Sportsman is definately on the top of the shortlist. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] The Trophy and Stripers were OK but I thought for close to the same money you can have the SeaSport which to me seemed to be the better fishing boat. I tried the half off sale tactic to no avail.

The salesman said it was the first time he'd been there in 3 days. Gotta feel for these guys.

I was pretty impressed with the 24' hewescraft with the cabin. It's got potential for sure.

The 28' Motion Offshore was simply awesome. Maybe I'll start buying lotto tickets so I can get my boat a big brother. I liked the 22'er with the outboard bracket as well for the "runabout" style. Price was a little steep however.

The NR Seahawk was OK. The self bailing deck was a neat design but I thought the plastic check valve on the stern was too exposed.

I also don't think the NR is as good as all the hoopla would indicate.

I was really impressed with the Bolton 21 & 22 foot sea skiff. 36" sides with a 4 stroke on a bracket. Nothing fancy, pretty well thought out fishing boat. This boat for the money would be in first place for a "runabout" style.

Now to save up my pennies and beer cans for the next 20 years (or more).

Beer Waggin · 01-09-2004, 07:38 AM

Rod-
I agree with you on the Shamrock guy. I'm not sure he knows that he's talking to people who really know about boats. He tried to explain to me that the $30k upgrade for the Yanmar would pay for itself in 500 hours. I questioned it and then realized I wasn't talking to the most worldly of people. (I also questioned the $30k for the upgrade! Maybe it's right maybe it's not, I'm not sure.)
The one thing I really like about the boat is the position of the motor and the fact that they build a very good hull.
Send it back to NC for hull repairs? I think I'll look another direction.

corrirod · 01-09-2004, 08:25 AM

Don't get me wrong, I like the hull design on the Shamrock and the motor placement. I just think they could've thought out the layout and the materials a little better for the price. And they need to get rid of that know-nothing salesman.

Waterdog, I agree on the Trophy vs. Seasport front. The only Trophy I'm impressed with is the 2359. I really like the layout and all the goodies for the price. The other Trophy's were really poorly layed out and shoddely built. Look like they tried to cut too many corners. I really liked the utilization of space on the 2359 because you've really got about 3 beds in that thing so if you've got a family of 4-6 you'll still have room for everyone to sleep. It's priced about $11K less than the 22 Sportsman but he Sportsman will hold it's value much better than the Trophy. My neighbor has that model and can sell it today for what he paid for it 7 years ago. In fact, I don't think the boat sold New for much more than he can get for it today!

TWB, the "main" roads are better today but the side roads are horrible still. Seems to be melting pretty fast though so should be fine by tomorrow. I would expect there will be about a million people there tomorrow though since nobody has been able to go this week. :depressed:

By the way, if anyone is in need of some leaded line for crab/shrimp traps, there is a fella there who is selling it really cheap. ReelCreel bought 1800' for $98 last night! It's only 5/16" diameter but for the price it's worth it. He has smaller spools out as well but I can't remember the prices.

[ 01-09-2004, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

Big Dave · 01-09-2004, 08:59 AM

Hey Big Tule , Big Dave here, sorry I didn't notice your hat. I should get one ! Anyway if your thinking about booking don't delay the prime times are going fast!! You can also book on line if you picked up our info pack. It has been a slow show due to the weather but the people who are gettig out are having the boats to them selves, and we have found the people who are looking are serious.
Again sorry that I missed you........Big Dave.

blubeast · 01-09-2004, 10:05 AM

Was at the show Thursday afternoon 3-5:30. Parking lot was solid ice when we arrived... very slick. Was starting to melt as we left. At least we did not have to pay for parking.

Many booths had no one there.. so was nice to be able to walk thru boats without being hounded.

WaterDog · 01-09-2004, 10:11 AM

Rod, I agree. I was more looking more for a fishing machine than a family boat. :blush: I like the way the inboard doghouse was part of deck. I spoke with the sales manager and it sounds like if you can dream it up, SeaSport can make it. My kind of boat builder. :grin: I think I would go without a dinette and sink and try to come up with some cooler storage seats. Of course he said if you order now, you should get it by June.

I also looked at the Arima's and C-Dory's. I decided I would want a little more boat.

It's funny to go and open up the fish boxes and judge it by how many TUNA you can fit in there. Appearently, some boats don't catch many fish since it seemed like you could barely get a limit of trout in the box.

I have to add that until this site and then getting bit by the TUNA bug I would never have imagined I'd be looking at these kinds of boats in this price range.

Thanks a lot guys.........

corrirod · 01-09-2004, 10:28 AM

Yeah, I was absolutely astonished at the hold in the Shamrock! These are Florida boats for crying out loud! I figured they'd have room for a damn swordfish in that big boat! Instead, and I'm not exaggerating a bit, you'd be lucky to fit two 30lb. kings in the box. The livewell had more square footage than the hold!

Reel Creel · 01-11-2004, 02:18 PM

Rods right the shamrock sucked for the money. Then sending it back to the east cost for major warranty work is a joke, The seasports had what you need to do it right. Just a lot of money. Thanks for driving Rod :smile: we spent about an hour and an half getting from beaverton to the boat show.(one quick stop for food and beer)

Thats dedication.

whalerpaul · 01-11-2004, 04:54 PM

ReelCreel can you provide followup contact info for the guy who was selling the weighted crab pot line?

Also if anyone knows of bulk 3/8" line (weighted or not) for crab pots.

I recall in the SF bay area that a store was selling 1200' for $60 or so.

thanks,
paul

CATCH AND EAT · 01-12-2004, 03:06 PM

Since I did'nt fish Saturday I went ahead to take a peek at the boats at the show. WOW!!!!! Like a kid at the toy store. Fell in love with the Orca and ordered two.

Just kidding. :grin: Really a nice ride though. Looked at the Seasports and all I could think of is how raw the top of my head would be everytime I stepped out of the cabin. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Did'nt impress me much.

Still like the trophy's a lot but that 29'r was just a bit much. I watched my wallet shrink just looking at it and thinking about fuel economy. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Then I got to thinking about o'l Cindy Lou sitting in the boat barn all paid for and thought, yeeeee hawwwww she's a great boat even though she failed me this summer when I needed her most. She's in great shape now and we are going to have a blast this summer.

I did however fall in love with the Boice Jet products. Super nice boats and finished off right. Then I thought about my 18' Alumiweld flatbottom guide model sitting out in the snow soak and wet and paid for. Yee hawwwwww!!!! It works just fine and I don't have to worry about dinging it up.

The boat show is great for ideas, information and product LUSTING.

But, not debt equals more fishing gear and gadgets for the tackle box which means MORE TUNA!!!!!!

Still had a great time and saw a few Friendly i-fish folks out there.

Silver Eagle · 01-12-2004, 07:01 PM

Boat Show, damn wife said it was next week-end. My luck................