No Checkmates at Toronto I'ntl Boat Show

[ahunter]

Just returned from the Toronto Boat Show and was disappointed by the abscence of Checkmate Boats at the show. They had a decent display in 2003. I spoke with Barry Peters from Pride of Muskoka Marine who told me they were basically not going to represent Checkmate boats any longer. Sounded like a last minute decision. He had a number of other reasons for this choice. However, I will leave that between P of M and Checkmate. I'll be happy to display my '92 Pulse 186 next year which still looks better than the Mariahs and Baja's in the adjacant display areas. Any dealers left in Canada?.....Ontario?

[Chris]

Rick's marine in Perth are an Ontario Checkmate dealer.

Rick's Marine (http://www.ricksmarine.ca/index.htm)

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[vinny p.]

I too was dissapointed when I went to the New York National Boat Show. Not a Checkmate to be seen!!! Baja, Formula, OuterLimits, Fountain, Donzi were there. I watch all the A.P.B.A. and S.B.I. racing, not a word ever gets mentioned about Checkmates. I just don't get it!!!!! http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/brickwall.gif

[bdusted440]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif Do you know if they will be at the chicago show? http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

CHECKMATE'S AND MOPAR'S GOTA LOVE EM
77 trimate merc150xr6
84 ambasador v8 i/o project

[Chris]

It's usually up to the dealers fellas.

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[Bruce]

Hi there, I was down on Sunday and as indicated no Checkmates. Would of been nice if Pride of Muskoka had a couple, as suggested they were setup right next to (it's hard to say) is it BAHA, BAJJA. At any rate, after taking a look at the other ones I really don't see what the owners see in them, to each his own I suppose.

I took some pictures of the BIG engines from each of the respective Outboard manufacturers which I will send to Chris shortly. I just want to take a few more pictures on the roll. The money I set aside for perhaps a digital camera turned into a GPS, so I just get the roll developed on a CD.

Never Worry Never Fear Checkmate Owners are Always Near !!

Bruce

[Chris E]

Hey Guys:

To somewhat follow up on what Chris said - (and i feel like spouting off so hang on!) Boat shows are very very expensive. Dealers have to be certain that profit will be generated by going to a show. More and more of these shows are going from manufacturer run (and paid for) shows to dealer run (and paid for) shows. Therefore if you can sell "x" amount of "y" brand boat at the boat show - you take it to the show. Checky's and i think we can all agree on this - are a limited market. Only a few will be sold in a year. Chances are that if a dealer will only sell a handful of checkys vs a large number of his other lines you won't see a checkmate at a show. If someone is that interested in a product they will make the trip to see it. All you have to do is look at the "buy and sell" on this site to prove it.

So, as a business decision, why would I take a bunch of checkmates to a boat show knowing that i will only sell 6 all year when i should be taking my "y" brand boat that i sell 60 a year? Frankly, (and personally) this logic sucks, but you have to put your advertising dollars (thats all a boat show is) where they generate the most bang for the buck.

The last dealer i worked for took the Toronto show very seriously. We did our own booth plus half of the Sea Ray booth. That involved anywhere from 10-12 trips to Toronto and 12-18 back home (always tried to arrange truck load shipments of boats to arrive for the setup of the show). Not to mention the man hours involved in setting up, taking down, loading, unloading, transporting, fuel, selling etc. Rough estimate of cost - $30-40,000.

You need to sell a lot of boats to recoup this expense and the fact is, that it is hard to measure the benefit of doing a large boat show until the end of the year. Often times you can't. Did the guy buy the boat because he saw it at the show or because he saw it in July? Who knows.

As far as Prides and Checkmate goes - if they have parted ways that would be unfortunate - they have a long history together (since 88?). However, like everything else in life - change is the only constant!

If you ever get the chance, visit the Checkmate factory. Seeing how a boat is built from a barrel of resin to the finished product is really interesting.

And speaking of plant tours, here is an idea - (Kip you out there?) I think that the Checkmate factory should have an open house (a la Harley Davidson, Saturn) where customers, fans and anyone else could see feel and touch the entire line and perhaps some restored older models. I'm fairly sure that would be more fun than walking around a boat show in the middle of winter! (see, one good idea out of pointless rant) Now I'm going off to -30 degree night to put the garbage out!

[Chris]

Thanks Chris!

Well said, and explained.

For those interested, I'm under the impression that if you would like to tour the Mate factory, you can probably do so. I'm sure about all that's involved is giving Kip a call and making a convenient time and date.

And if you go TAKE SOME PICS PLEASE! http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/biggthumpup.gif



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[JW]

You can always take a virtual tour!

http://www.screamandfly.com/screamandflymagazine/features%20checkmate%20tour%201.html

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Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.

[Chris]

For those of you who haven't seen JW's Checkmate factory tour that he put together with Greg from Scream and Fly....check it out! It's excellent. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

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[Bruce]

Thanks Chris for the "behind the scenes" take on Boat Shows, I didn't realize the cost was that high. As you suggested, if your expensing that kind of money you would like to at least break even or come close.

Bruce

[checkgal]

Thankyou Chris for the show scoop. I have always appreciated the efforts of the dealers to put on a good show.

[jrumon]

WOW...NO CHECKMATES AT THESE SHOWS EITHER!!!! Sorry to sound like a broken record...but get some exposure on these boats!!! If dealers aren't showing them, the factory can still get a small space to show a few and promote the product...You guys need a MARKETING MANAGER!!! Jim.

[Chris E]

Just a crazy thought but maybe, just maybe checkmate doesn't put booths into show because they don't need to. Maybe they are selling enough with out having to advertise at boat shows (what a thought no advertising, no boat shows - makes me feel all warm inside). Then again, maybe I'm totally wrong and they do need a marketing manager!!!

[Bubba]

IF YOU ARE IN BISSNES YOU NEVER SELL ENOUGH http://www.checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif PEOPLE WANT TO SE WAT THE BUY, AND NOT IN A BROCHURE ORE INTERNET I THINK.

Sake From HOLLAND