www.iFourWinns.com

Next week. Sounds like fun with a variety of stuff to do and see.

http://www.boatmichigan.org/content.asp ... Exhibitors

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

That looks like fun.

We were talking about dragging the boat over there this fall (yeah, visit family too), but our company open house event (Bavauto.com Show & Shine .... google it), prevents me from doing anything until after the first week of October. Our Anniversary is 9/25 and we like to do a boating vaca, but it always has to be way late into the fall season.

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

My wife and I are planning to take our boat over to the Michigan Boating and Outdoor Fest next weekend. We'll either try to boat across the lake on Friday evening to get there before sunset or first thing Saturday morning.We'll let the weather decide for us.

This show used to be called the Metro Beach Boat Show and about 10 years ago it was a heck of a good show. The front and back marina basin were just packed with in water boats. Many boats in the 30 - 50 foot size. I loved being able to walk up to almost any boat, kick my shoes off and walk in to view. Never much of a wait time. Unlike the Toronto, Ontario Boat show where mid afternoon you could have a 20 - 30 minute wait to get on a forty footer.

Back then at the Metro Boat show the marina grounds were also packed with boats on trailers (14' - 30') and they had a large accessories tent.

In the last five years the Metro Beach Show really died. Last year we drove over (we were in Michigan anyways looking to purchase our next boat) only to find about 20 boats in the water. I would not bother going at all this year, except for now it is to be a new show organized by different folk, so we will go and see. Even the live bands being added may help out with motivating people to attend.

Any body else thinking of attending?

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I had the same experience as Decision. Went two years ago to the old Metro Beach boat show and was extremely disappointed. It wasn't even worth the 30 minute drive to get there. We had been there for the previous 4 years and had a good time and saw lots of boats.

I'll be taking out boat out of the water that weekend so I won't be able to check it out. I heard the previous organizers had upset all the boat dealers and none wanted to attend.

_________________
Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

A festival that revolves around boating?

Sounds like a good time...I must live on the wrong side of the lake.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

To those that attended, how was the show

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Good day Cap'n,

I'll let ya know how the show was..........but you'll have to wait till Monday September 27 as the show does not start until this Wednesday September 22nd.

The Boating & Outdoor Recreation Festival...
an all-new Metro Beach Boat Show featuring an In-Water Boat Show and other exhibits for every outdoor enthusiast, live music, fine art, Taste Fest and family fun for all.

Show Dates:
Wednesday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 26
Show Hours:
Wed, Thurs, Fri: Noon to 8PM, Sat: 11AM to 8PM, Sun: 11AM to 6PM

I hope to be able to Boat over to the Show this Friday, but the weather (for what the forecast looks like now) isn't the best.

If Friday isn't feasible to boat over I'll try for Saturday early morning.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Just seeing if you are paying attention.

Don't forget you can save $2 per ticket if you order them online.

And be sure you stop in here.

Enjoy a cool beverage along the water's edge and experience festive decorations, bikini-clad waitresses and an island-vibe at WRIF's Margaritaville, Saturday from11 - 2pm.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Well, I was favourably impressed with the new Michigan Boating and Outdoor Fest that took place at MetroBeach Metro Park this past weekend.

We drove over on Saturday to the boat show as the strong winds that persisted Friday evening and Saturday didn't let up enough for us to boat over.

For those familar with Metro, the front basin and seawall running towards the back basin was filled with in water boats. They had a good selection of in water used boats (probably around 70 boats)from many different manufactures ranging in size from 26' to 56'. We took about 3 hours to view the in water boats and to be honest I could of spent more time viewing them but we where getting close to the shows closing time.

On land there were many boats on trailers ranging in size from about 16' to around 25', some off shore and pontoons boats. Many of the trailered boats were new models.

The beer tents seemed to be a good fit. Many people walking around with glasses of beer and it was a windy cooler day on Saturday. The music from the two radio stations helped with some atmosphere.

The new managers of this show had one chance to make a good first impression and I think for a first year show they had did a pretty good job. It was cetainly an improvement from the last couple of years under the past organizers.

I for one will look forward to boating over to the show next year, enjoying a couple of beers and going back to my own boat at the show to enjoy the rest of the weekend. Hope the weather then cooperates.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Thanks for the write up. Glad it was a good show/festival.

What did you see , of the boats that were there , that caught your eye ? Anything brand new that
was notewirthy ?

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

What did you see , of the boats that were there , that caught your eye ? Anything brand new that
was notewirthy ? - Well a couple of things...........

It seemed a number of the new boats in the 30 foot plus size had incorporated the "grill" in the aft cockpit area. Personally I don't think I'm overly fond of this, but to each their own. I would prefer to grill off my boat, or if on the boat on the swim platform.

I have never really played much attention to the Carvers in the 35 to 39 foot range. But I said to my wife, if we were at a point in our lives were we could spend much more time on our boat, those Carvers with the raised back aft deck have a huge amount of room in them. Because of that raised aft deck you have a good sized stand up aft cabin below. A full galley and large sleeping quarters in the bow. Plus you have an area that you could enclose on that raised aft deck and of course you still have an enclosed sitting area on the fly bridge. It is kinda interesting when you compare the space on these older mid 90's Carvers to the 2008 53 foot Sunseeker (1.49 millon) that was at the show. I know apples to oranges but...........

On other point of interest was (wish I remembered the manufacture, I think it was Cruisers but) a newer 35' ish express style cruiser that had a big and I mean big walk through windshield. That walk thru windshield was big as in tall and when opened it certainly didn't lay back against the windshield. My first thought was boy if the wind caught that big chunk of glass and slammed it back shut something expensive has a good chance of smashing. That big window needed to lay back against the windshield, not just open up a little more than 90 degrees and left that way.

Hopefully when people attend boat shows it helps them confirm that the boats they purchase or want to purchase for their intended use suits them well. For our likes and area of boating we are pleased with our 328 Four Winns as compared to other makes of similar sized boats.

Boat shows are a great way to get on boats you would like to consider and really really analize if a boat is at least the layout you would prefer. Then after you find the boat layout you like you then get to consider the performance you want , type of engine/drive, boat quality etc., Fun, fun fun.......

Mike.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Hey Cap'n,

Thanks for the follow up posting from the organizers of the new Michigan Boat Show (Metro Boat Show).

That's good to know they are happy as well. I imagine there may of been some potential exhibitors and some people who may of taken the approach of not attending this year to see how the show turned out.

Hopefully next year its even a bigger, better show.

Have a great weekend.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation