Author Topic: Should We Put On A Summer Boat Show? (Read 8315 times)

David CVX-16 · « **on:** February 08, 2012, 08:03:37 PM »

The boat show at the Minneapolis Convention Center was a success, but alot of hard work because of the short notice and because it was in the winter time, necessitating getting the boats out of shortage, trailoring to and from the show, cleaning off the road grime, and rewinterizing, etc.

I talked to Carol at the Mermaid American Grill off Highway 10 in Mounds View today and she was more than willing to host a classic Glastron boat show there this summer. The times available are Sundays starting around 10 to 11 AM, or weekday evenings. There are a two car shows scheduled for this summer, but other than that, it appears open. My wife and I enjoyed a car show there after church one year ago. They can accomodate 200 cars and have 700 parking spaces. The show would be very visible from Highway 10 and we could advertise on Craigslist. They use these shows to increase business inside.

The Mermaid could help with tables, coupons, and gift certificates.

I say we should have at least 10 boats to put on a show. We would want to avoid dates close to the Red Wing annual get together.

Sounds rather simple compared to the winter boat show. The boats should already be show ready, the weather nice, everyone shows their own boat, and we get there and leave the same day.

Any interest from the group here to sponsor a summer boat show and who might be willing to display their boat? Any suggested date?

Hyperacme · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2012, 08:13:01 PM »

Sound good Dave ...
Should be pretty easy compared to the boat show.

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2012, 08:18:10 AM »

I'm all for it. I drive by the Mermaid every day going to work!

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2012, 09:36:15 AM »

A trailer queen show???

I'm in!

I'll even pull it with the 67 Montclair.

Jerry · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2012, 12:23:17 PM »

I would rather have it by a lake and include other classic boats, but whatever works.

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2012, 02:11:29 PM »

That's not a bad idea Jerry. I don't see a problem with having other boats involved. If anyone knows anyone else that's part of a different companies classic boating group in the area we could extend an invitation to them as well and have a couple different groups go in together to increase awareness of the event and share stories between us all.

Jason · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2012, 02:24:03 PM »

At the boat show, the president of the Bob Speltz antique boat club wanted to work with us on getting together for a boat show. Either we can join them or maybe we can work out a new show. These are the guys who had all the old wood boats and outboards on display at the boat show.

http://www.acbs-bslol.com/

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2012, 02:40:14 PM »

That's great Jason. I just popped over to their site and their mission statement sounds a heck of a lot like why we're members of our association. It sounds like a perfect match to me!

Hyperacme · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2012, 02:59:33 PM »

" different companies classic boating group '

There's other boat companys ?
... LOL

The more the merrier !

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2012, 04:05:53 PM »

I agree with working together with other classic boat groups. In other years, there has been a show at the Bayport Marina on the St. Croix. Maybe have some boats in the water and some out of the water. We could put out feelers at marinas, and with classic boat groups to stage a combined showing. There may already be events planned and we could tag along. I would say though that it should be close to Mpls./St Paul to get the biggest draw. We have some time to sort out ideas.

Tonka Jim · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2012, 04:45:54 PM »

Tom V & I went to the wooden boat show on Minnetonka last year & ran into Dane, He was a Judge.
Maybe Dane would have some info on having a combined show.

WetRaider · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2012, 03:55:04 PM »

I am trying to combine a on-the-water/beach show with our Summer Kick Off here in Iowa.
The plan is to have a beach party with the public invited to wade the waters and check out the boats.
We've got trophies to give out to the winner of two groups - Viewer Favorite & Member Favorite.

Glastron is considering dropping off a boat or two on Friday and picking it up Sunday if they don't/can't
stay for the weekend. Iowa DNR might push us to another beach depending on participation. I've managed
to sell the combined show/member meet to the community & they're excited to see how things get
off the ground this first go 'round.

dorelse · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2012, 03:56:40 PM »

Nice!

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:19:29 PM »

Well done Dan!

Hydronut · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2012, 10:11:24 AM »

Hi Guys,

The Antique Outboard Motor Club Inc. has a local group, The gopher Chapter. They have meets in the area and a good one would be at the St. Paul pool and yacht club. Also they have a show with the BSLOL group at Mayyards in September. I have contacts with both groups if you need help with shows.

Murray Langer

75starflight · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2012, 11:04:51 AM »

Nice job Dan!

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2012, 11:46:21 AM »

Just a thought, the closest akin to a Glastron fiberglass boat would be other brand fiberglass boats. From here it would be wooden boats and from there antique outboard motors. What is our best match? Should we seek to be part of a diverse group or compliment other group? There are advantages to put it one just within the our group for flexablility and the advantage to being part of another group to get to know other groups and to put on a bigger exhibit.

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2012, 01:02:41 PM »

I put on 2 "Glastron" meets in Little Falls as part of Dam Days. The first one we got a tour of the Glastron/Larson plant. It was open to all brands and we had a good cross section, but mostly Glastrons.

David CVX-16 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2012, 07:59:59 PM »

I'm inclined to keep it simple and put it on at the Mermaid on some Sunday from 10 AM into the afternoon. We would invite fiberglass boats in show worthy condition from the 1950's through about 1986 to join us. We could use Craiglist, Fiberglassics, and marine dealers to spread the word. We would need a good showing from our group and any more boats joining us would be frosting on the cake. An alternative to the Mermaid could be a marina or a boat dealer. How does this sound?

Retro Performance · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:11:07 PM »

I was by the Mermaid today(took Mrs. Retro to a Movie)..........lots of space and good visibility from hwy. 10............how many have a classic tow vehicle? I know I saw two on another post, maybe there could be an area for vehicle/boat combos? Does the Mermaid charge for such an event?