Seattle Boat Show - Such a sparse showing

[hardee]

"My apologies if any of that wasn't "nice."

Jim, You always are "nice" and you are very right again.

I understand your frustration, and I'm sure you and Joan could have made a huge difference. You are right, there is a big difference between "marketing" and "paid advertising" and they really don't get it. I have just seen on 3 different TV stations news programs a blurb about Starbucks new "Valentines Coffee" touting its sweetheart flavors, mocha and whipped cream with valentines sprinkles. Each spot was about 20 - 30 seconds, including some appealing visuals. These were not paid commercials but "news announcements" resulting from a news release coming from the Starbucks marketing team, --> FREE ADVERTISING done by some savvy marketers not a coffee roaster or paper cup designer. What a concept

I guess the good thing about only a few new boats, my older, well experienced, tuned up and fully ready to travel 22 Cruiser will be worth more than if there were 250 new boats each year since mine was built.

Harvey
SleepyC

[thataway]

At one point whenever "trailerable" trawlers or cruisers came up, C Dory was the quintessential type...Recently I read an article in one of the boating rags, and C Dory was not even mentioned...Ranger Tug, and some of those fancy European built boats got the "free publicity"....er not. The other brands all had placed ads in the magazines.

[ssobol]

A whole bunch of what you think of as "local news" is product placement or pay for play stories. Particularly when the local stations are part of a large conglomerate like Sinclair Broadcast Group (there are others) who own a very large number of "local" stations around the country.

[chimoii]

Anyone any idea what the price is of new Venture 23 or a 22 cruiser these days?

[MikeR]

The Wright family (current builders of C-Dory) have been producing fiberglass boats locally since the 1950s. Originally the Wright Sportsman, then SeaSport in the late 1980s, both probably relatively unknown outside the PNW at first. Now in addition to thier original SeaSport line, they have (thankfully) added the C-Dory, Skagit Orca, and Osprey lines, with several dealers across the country. So things seem to be going pretty well for them. Prices are up, but that's true of most things. A new C-Dory 22' Cruiser still costs about the same as a new, well-appointed Chevy Suburban, just as it has through the decades.

However, not every new boat buyer wants a "me-too" Bayliner, Sea Ray, or even a Ranger, and not every boat builder wants to become a Brunswick or a Fluid Motion (Ranger) factory in terms of size and production numbers. Some folks are happy running a sustainable and profitable small shop and building a quality product, and some of us buyers are extremely happy these "niche" options still exist! And BTW, no offense is intended by comparing Ranger to those those other boat brands - I was raised on Bayliners and appreciate them perhaps more than most. I've just heard many people compare the two brands in recent years due to how ubiquitous Rangers have become in the San Juans, similar to the number of Bayliners seen cruising here in the late 70s and 80s. Some might not know that Bayliner also originated as another local boat brand in Washington State, its founder Orin Edson born in very same town as current C-dory factory, which also happens to be my hometown.

Like everyone else I wish NMI continued success (selfishly, there are still some warranty years remaining on my boat!). However, I keep wondering if the bigger threat is not from the high-volume marketing of other cruising boats like Ranger tugs, but the fact that NMI primarily builds fiberglass Fishing Boats, and in the Fishing boat market the hot trend around here is Aluminum fishing boats!

[Spike]

You made a lot of good points Mike. But what with the condition of sport fishing, especially here in the PNW, NMI might be better off to look down the boating road regarding the manufacturing and marketing of their makes and models. And I believe the manufacturers of aluminum fishing boats are going to take an especially hard hit in the near future. Fishing style boats are a hot seller now, but I really can’t see it lasting. Not unless the fishing improves around here.

[san juanderer]

There have been a lot of very good comments, about why the C-dorys are not being sold in greater numbers.
I do honestly believe there are " new young buyers " coming into the market every day.
I believe a lot can be said for a dealership that has there heart behind the product. That enthusiasm can have a positive impact on potential buyers.

Take for instance Les Lampton ( EQ Harbor Marine ) former owner. He had great love for his C-dory similar line of Marinauts. I believe the C-dory line needs a Les behind it. Not the Wrights. The Wrights love is the SeaSport line, that was there child.

[jbdba01]

Supply and demand...it's not just a theory, it's the law.

[ken35216]

And here we go. This is what everyone wanted!

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=26129

Tampa boat show "Hello C-BRATS! Three Rivers Marine is excited to announce that all models of C-Dory boats, with the exception of the 16' & 19' Anglers, will be on display at the Tampa Boat Show March 2-4 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. We hope to see you there!"

https://www.threeriversmarineinc.com/c-dory

[hardee]

Just for kicks, did anyone notice if there was a display by Sportcraft at the Portland Boat Show? I believe I read that there were no C-Dorys there but missed if Sportcraft was or not. They seem to be the most "C-Dory Style" folks around the PNW as far as new boat dealers go. Unfortuante that they don't show up here on the site (except for that top right corner paid add they do occasionally.

Harvey
SleepyC

[thataway]

[hardee]

Sounds like they just sold a 25 and a V-23. See this thread:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=26129&highlight=

Guess if you show them, somebody will buy them.

Harvey
SleepyC

[ken35216]

[haliman]

[mike shotwell]