Outdoors : OUTDOOR NOTES : Boat Manufacturers Set New Standards
Some of the major manufacturers say that selling boats is a lot like selling cars. The markets seem to have the same ups and downs, as well as strategies.
“We’ve taken a cue from the Japanese car-builders to try to load them with standard equipment,” said Jerry Stansfield, director of advertising for Bayliner, the top seller. “We don’t sell boats if they don’t have what people want.”
For example, all the Bayliner Capri models have ice chests and stereos, while all the Trophy fishing models have live wells, electronic fish-finders, VHF radios and compasses. Most builders’ small boats are also packaged with trailers and motors, eliminating the need for decisions.
Is this what the consumers want? They’ll have a chance to speak with their checkbooks again during the 22nd annual Anaheim Boat Show April 4-8 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Most of the leading manufacturers, including Wellcraft, Chaparral and Allegro, with a $10,000 “entry-level” bass boat, will be represented.
The industry slumped from a peak of 749,020 boats sold in 1988 to 637,500 in ‘89, according to figures from the National Marine Manufacturer Assn. With about 45,000 sales, that was still Bayliner’s second-best year, Stansfield said, but it prompted the company to take what he called “a very aggressive step” and redesign half its line of 40 models instead of the usual one-third. The Bayliner line is discount show-priced from $5,995.
Scott Grogin, public relations director for Wellcraft, said, “We saw the softening coming and were able to pull back.”
The company has 21 new boats among its 53 models, which he said are sold “anyplace there’s water. You receive input from your dealer network.”
Grogin said Americans, Europeans, Asians and Australians have different tastes in boats and accessories, and woe to the boat-builder who fails to recognize that.
Show hours: 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5.50 adults, $2.50 children 6-15, children under 6 free.
A 29.45-pound catch in the 16th Marina del Rey Halibut Derby last weekend won Robert Loll of La Habra a trip for two to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Steve John of Westminster was second at 25.23 and won a trip for two to Alaska to fish for giant halibut and salmon. Gary Rozsa of Los Angeles won fishing tackle for his third-place catch of 24.3. The awards banquet is scheduled April 5 at the Doubletree Marina Beach Hotel. Information: (213) 822-7090.
Despite fears of a shortage of live bait, derby chairman Carl Lambert said, “We had plenty of live bait,” although some boats had to go as far as Santa Barbara to get it.
A total of 1,132 anglers checked in 312 fish over the minimum 22 inches, and several times more undersize fish were released.
Seventeen fish tagged by the Department of Fish and Game for a research study were taken, leaving about 1,000 in Santa Monica Bay. Each tagged fish is worth $5 when returned to the DFG by April 27. That would include any caught in the Santa Monica Bay Halibut Derby April 7-8.
Briefly
The Department of Fish and Game notes that its 1990-91 fishing regulations give two different daily bag and possession limits for Pacific halibut. The correct figure is one per day and in possession. . . . The last grunion runs until June are scheduled tonight through Saturday nights starting at 10 p.m., 10:40 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 12:35 a.m., respectively. A state fishing license is required, and only bare hands may be used.
Quail Unlimited’s San Gabriel Valley chapter will conduct a “Gun Dog Showdown” matching flushers against pointers at Raahauge’s club in Corona on April 7. Purpose: to determine the best hunting dog in Southern California. Admission is free. . . . Also, the Los Angeles chapter of Quail Unlimited will meet Thursday night at Pachmayr’s International Shooting Range in El Monte. Membership is $20 a year. Western Regional Director Mike Mathiot will present a quail calling and hunting clinic on April 21. Details: (213) 541-6625.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife reports a kill of 41,276 elk in 1989, the most this century in any state, topping the state’s record of 32,473 in ’88. The success rate was 24%, and officials expect the ’90 hunt to be as strong.
The Adventure Connection of Coloma, on the American River east of Sacramento, will conduct an eight-day rafting school April 7-14. The all-inclusive fee is $550. Details: (800) 556-6060. . . . A banquet will be held on Tuesday night in Redding for John Reginato, 71, who is retiring after 40 years as manager of the Shasta-Cascade Wonderland Assn., which promotes outdoor activities in Northern California. Details (916) 225-2362.
Fly fishing: Conclave ‘90, the largest fly fishing show in the country, is scheduled April 7-8 at the Airport Marina Hotel in Westchester. Registration is $15 per family or $12 single. . . . Fly tier Poul Jorgensen will teach his specialized salmon fly techniques to a limit of eight students Saturday and Sunday at Bob Marriott’s store in Fullerton. Not for beginners. Fee: $250. Details: (714) 525-1827.
