Boat Shows

[tigeaz]

Anyone been out to any of the Boat Shows yet? See anything new that us dealers should be selling? Any cool boats to look for? What color boats are hot this year? Just curious to see what's happening so far this season.

[David]

I was at the one in Dallas, Texas. I really liked the 24v. It was blue deck, blue hull, blue transom (cut), and a white main panel, with the Riders Edition Graphics. It had 6 fusion chrome speakers and a chrome light and sub set-up. I really liked what they did for that boat. Not to show and over the top, but just enough to catch ones eye.

I thought the Supra with the TV under the flip up seat was cool, but It was not for me, and I did not see a real purpose in it anyways.

I thought the Malibu guys did their boats up well with the neon lights all over their boats. Once again, not for me, and no real purpose, but a cool touch for show looks.

I didn't really pay attention to Mastercraft, I have never been a fan of their boats, especially this season.

Nautiques were nice, but nothing eye-catchy.

[Matt Garcia]

The swivel board racks on the Mastercrafts and Supras are a very nice feature.

[tigeaz]

Thanks for the feedback!

I really like that Tige blue this year too. Historically blue hasn't been the best seller for us, but I think that's going to change with the pacific blue.

I agree Matt, those swivel racks are a real smart concept. We'll have to hit up our tower guys to come up with something similar.

[Flying Tiger]

We've been to a few.
Whats new?:

I think that Wakeboarding displays have taken a huge step forward.
Most the big Wakeboard makers have more than just a local dealer touting their stuff.
Many more boat builders offer some sort of wakeboarding related options.

We have seen nothing related to water skiing. Seems like wakeboarding has overtaken it, like snowboarding is passing by sno skiing.

Tribal graphic themes in expensive gelcoats, graphics and tower design have appeared.
Kinda looks dated to us,, but some people still wear mullets, buy new Betamax's, bellbottoms and Banshees.
One wonders when tribal graphics go the way of the Turquoise and pink fad of a few years back,, how stuck with them they'll be.
Seems to be most popular with those that wear sox with their sandals like those Orange County Chopper guys that are yelling at each other all the time.

Over all, boatshows seem to lack the fervor of a decade ago.
No entertainment or celibrities, or cool demos and seminars of years past.
With the exception of Tige', most builders have high pressure sales guys, and the only thing else are $10 warm beers.

[Gardyloo03]

The tribal graphics thing to me is played out not to mention lacks a degree of sophistication. The tige graphics from the 90's were better from a design stand point. That pacific blue does rock though. I kinda feel that tige grabbed onto the tribal thing A.) to late in the marketing game (shoulda come up with the next trend instead of copying the big 3 B.) Is a year behind on accesories like swivel racks and rear mounted towers. If they could get those things they would be way better set in the market. Now im going to go find some swivel board racks to stick on my ride! Anyone know where i can get em?

[joe8395]

Tige please don't now start in with the Iron Cross thing...although not yet as played out as the tribal crap it is well on it's way.

I agree with Gardyloo03 it would be nice to see Tige begin leading the market to what consumers want. This forum might be a good tool for that.....

L.A. Boat show was fun, Tige guys were cool like always. Got to hear the girlfriend on how much better the new Tige's are compared to my 2000 21i

[tigeaz]

This is all great feedback, keep it coming!

Joe, LOL on the Iron Cross thing. That is as played out as it gets. But could we do a Jesse James edition boat? ;)

Lots of interesting comments on graphics. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts on the future of boat graphics and what way you might think they should head? Something more simple, or classic like the limited graphics or still complex but not in the vein of the "tribal" images?

Thanks again for the feedback, it will help me to know what to look for at our boat show.

[Gardyloo03]

I think that something more refined maybe a throw back to a more classic design with some modern elements, like a contemporary color palate and type face. I think that chriscraft is an excellent example of a company in the last few years that is blending classic beauty with modern aesthetics in a wonderful manor. Something i think would be nice is having the tige on the transom like now then maybe adding a 22v or whatever model on the side, but doing something original with paint or design that lends name recognition to tige without writing it out in huge over the top design. I dunno what do you guys think? I mean you look at a Donzi you know its a donzi they dont have to write Donzi on the side in 46" letters with a tribal pattern.

[joe8395]

Building on what Gardyloo03 had to say I would love to have a Tige that just looked real clean....I think that is the direction the market is headed...the boats are getting real 'busy' with all the graphics in my opionon. I like the two tone paint...just don't know about all the numbers and letters everywhere.

tigeaz - I would love to see what Jesse James would do with a wakeboard boat...even just a tower designed by him would be bad ***.

[Flying Tiger]

Originally posted by joe8395
Building on what Gardyloo03 had to say I would love to have a Tige that just looked real clean....I think that is the direction the market is headed...the boats are getting real 'busy' with all the graphics in my opionon. I like the two tone paint...just don't know about all the numbers and letters everywhere.

tigeaz - I would love to see what Jesse James would do with a wakeboard boat...even just a tower designed by him would be bad ***.

Check this link:
http://www2.hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68801&highlight=jesse+james

[tigeaz]

Joe and Gardy- This is a very good point. Cars are often known by their lines, but that's a tougher accomplishment w/ boats. Gel coat and design would definitely be a good way to brand your product. Even though I don't care for it, MB has done well in this regard.

Flying Tiger- I saw that boat at the L.A. boat show. It was sick. I thought the Extreme trailer was even more impressive. Check it out here: http://extremetrailers.com/jesse_james/jesse_james.html

[Tige M.D.]

i agree with you guy's on all points. i would like to see a simple, clean look. kinda tired of the "LOOK AT ME, I AM SOOOOO COOOOL" graghics. most of these boats are beautiful naked.
there are a few boat builders that have succeeded in marketing their "design". fountain, donzi, tige (pre 2000). seems like recently if it does'nt have a name you can't tell who's it is.

so, what do you guy's think? the westcoast graphics were designed by my boss and a few guy's in sales. we are open to any and all ideas.

[Gardyloo03]

I dunno I think looking for brand logo might be a good place to start and then incorporate it into something.

[joe8395]

Tige M.D. - I have an idea in my head of what I think would look good... I'm not a graphics artist but I do have a lot of ideas in my head. Here are some of them for whatever it's worth.

Something more straight lined striking through the Tige logo or behind it.

Have the graphics fade from one tone of paint to the other.

Have the Tige emblem on the side of the boat low enough that is below water until you punch the boat out of the hole.

I like the new tower you guys came out with at the Parker event...maybe some graphics that play off of that designs curves...really making the tower more apart of the boat itself.

I really like a nice clean look...not dated but not something that is so fashion forward that the boat will be made fun of a couple years down the road (i.e. tribal).

Not sure if this has been of any use...I pass by the dealership on my home from work during the week so I could stop by and maybe try to sketch some of this out.

Has any one ever seen an all black tige with white graphics?

[Matt Garcia]

There are some interesting replies in this thread.

I personally like the Riders Edition and West Coast graphics. I think in order to achieve a clean look like a lot of yall mentioned Tige would need to have some different gelcoat options. For example, Malibus gel coat options are great looking, really flows with the boat. Take that in combination with a clean graphic, ie. the Tige oval logo would look killer. I think the best looking WB boats are all white with a black or grey pin stripe.


That Jesse James trailer looks cool.

[rushin]

How about Tige accessories like a throttle knob for instance.

[Tige M.D.]

hey joe, as long as those "ideas" in your head don't turn to voices we are cool.

if anyone has any drawings or clips e-mail them to me
greg@tigewatersports.com

[Tip]

I really like the stainless steel cup holders in the new Tiges, it subtle, but very classey. Does anyone know if they are removable for cleaning? I have an 03 22v and the plastic cup holders are glued in making them difficult to keep clean.

[Tige M.D.]

i'm thinking a little more attention to the little stuff would be cool. anodized bezels around the cleats and gauges, billet throttle knob, billet gauge panel, custom tige only grab handles and vent covers. custom nav, docking and stern lights. custom steering wheel, and rocker switches. after looking around at the l.a. boat show i realized that there is alot of room to move ahead.
it seems that most of what tige uses is "over the counter". i don't know about you guy's boat i look at a boat as a hot rod, self expression, bling.
yes, the corvette has sold alot of sedans, but who looks at appreciates and says "i have to have" the "sedan"? not me.
the good thing about our graphis is, they are just decals. when they play out peel them off and update you boat with the current stuff or design your own.

[rushin]

Exactly what I was talking about. Accessories.