Best of Boating

New York Boat Show opens to mixed reviews

NEW YORK, NY - The New York Boat Show opened last weekend to mixed reviews, but some manufacturers are doing quite well despite the gloomy headlines in the local New York media.

According to sales people working the Yamaha boat and Waverunner booth, opening weekend sales were equal to last year and traffic in their display was steady. 

Companies like Yamaha are becoming more attractive in the eyes of high-end buyers looking for better value in a boat purchase. "I can't justify spending $15,000 more for a boat whether I have the money or not," said Dave Duncan from Long Island.  According to Duncan, the Yamaha 232 Limited S looked like a great buy compared to more expensive boats that offer the same features.

According to Yamaha National Marketing Manager Bryan Seti, customers with good credit are still getting financing and the company's boat show promotion is compelling.  "If you have the means, this really is a great time to buy a new boat or Waverunners."

New York Boat Show Celebrates Early Maritime Explorers

The 104th annual New York National Boat Show kicked off over the weekend with a ribbon-cutting by New York's first lady, Michelle Paterson.

The boat show marks the opening of a year-long celebration honoring the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the river that bears his name, as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's maiden steamboat journey up the Hudson River.

In addition to the thousands of watercraft and boating supplies on display, this year's New York National Boat Show also features expert boat builders from upstate New York, who are working on a replica of the Onrust, the first decked vessel constructed in the New World. The Onrust was built by the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block 5 years after Hudson's visit and was used to explore the inland waterways and coastal waters of New England.

Boating Industry Magazine Announces 2008 Top 100 Marine Dealers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - With many marine businesses struggling under the pressure of today’s      economic reality, the boating industry’s future depends now more than ever on consumers’ ability to find dependable dealers capable of exceeding their sales experience and service expectations for years to     come. These consumers now have a trusted source they can turn to, thanks to Boating Industry magazine’s fourth-annual Top 100 Marine Dealers list.    

Acoustic Phenomena Explain Why Boats and Animals Collide

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have recently discovered a sensory explanation for why manatees and other animals are repeatedly hit by boats. Up until now, it was believed that manatees could hear the boats, but were just too slow to get out of the way of boats and did not have the capacity to learn to avoid boats after being hit. As a result, manatee protection policies have been put in place that require boats to slow down in protected areas. Despite these efforts, however, the number of injuries and deaths associated with collisions has increased and reached record highs, which is what drove Dr. Edmund Gerstein, director of marine mammal research and behavior at FAU, to begin in 1991 an investigation into what might be the underlying cause for these collisions.

PWC: Sea-Doo RXT-X vs. Yamaha FZR

By CC McConnell

Any intelligent consumer decision is based on a number of factors, both practical and personal. When it comes to personal watercraft, purchase decisions are no different. However, in order to really make an informed choice, you need to thoroughly review your options. In order to help consumers break down the narrow margins between current PWC models, we’re placing two models of the same class head to head to offer an in-depth comparison.

For 2009, the musclecraft category is back and being pushed to the forefront more than it has been in years. Two musclecrafts making a big splash in the PWC industry are the new Yamaha FZ series and the returning Sea-Doo RXT-X.

PowerSports Business Debunks Horsepower Myth

When it comes to personal watercraft and outboards, horsepower claims are often controversial. However, a lot of evidence has come out recently that proves you can't trust what you see on a spec list or on the hull. There are allowances that few people know about. But, the real questions are: Who's taking advantage of those allowances and do horsepower numbers really make a difference in performance?

Check out the full story here...

New York Boat Show

The 104th New York National Boat Show cruises in to New York City's Javitz Center this Saturday, December 13. Get all the details at www.OfficialBoatShows.com!