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- Miami Boat Show Review by Steve Lassley, Pics by Anthony Hsieh
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Penn Presents: |
Miami Boat Show Review by Steve Lassley, Pics by Anthony Hsieh |
- By Steve Lassley
- Published 02/16/2009
- In The News , Latest Updates
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Rating:
Departed for Palm Beach on Wed. morning around 5 AM. Cold out here in Temecula, 29 degrees when I left. Got on a plane at 8 am and headed off to the show. My first stop though was to hang out with Bart Miller at his Palm Beach store. Got in there around 5 PM, got a rental car and checked into my hotel. I went out and had some dinner and headed off on my first mission. Trying to find an Alligator. I've been there maybe like 10 times now and still haven't seen one of the darned things. So........I figure the best place to look is to walk around the pond with all the warning signs not to walk your dog too close to the edge. (You get a good mental image of FeeFee hangin out of the alligators chops, always cracks me up, empty leash swinging there. Whew....) Anyway I get about 2/3 rds of the way around it and still haven't seen one. I keep gettin closer and closer trying to tempt one and then....Nothin. Still haven't seen one. Goin to the dog pound first next time. Where was I....oh Yeah.
I meet with Bart and as usual he and I have some great discussions about techniques, improvising and learning new styles of fishing. As he says "More than one way to skin a cat". When he said that I thought, forget FeeFee a Cat might be better. Always gives me good ideas. I left Bart around 1 PM and headed to Miami.
After I checked into Anthony's room by mistake I headed off to the Viking display. As I am walking up to the Viking display there is this Ginormous bow sticking out. It's the new 82' foot convertible. This boat is huge. What blew me away was how good looking the boat was. Proportionately the boat was perfect. Lines are awesome as I'm standing by the boat trying to put my jaw back up the Capt., Ryan, walks up and starts telling me about the boat. 36 knots, loaded. Eats the weather up. Spins on a dime, I'm like "Yeah right, whatever" he says , no really. 40 HP Bow thruster. He says it is amazingly nimble. He just can't say enough about the boat. I have only known Ryan for a short time but the guy is straight up. He loves it. Anthony told me it's a good thing we have so many inventory boats or I would be driving one of those. I told him we would need some more Chamois. I was afraid to go aboard.
After hanging out at the display and trying to get familiar with all the product the show was about over for the day. Once again Viking Blew the competition away. No contest. A wide, wide variety of models and makes. Cool stuff. As always the Healy's (The Owners of Viking) made me feel like a part of their family.
Had Birthday dinner for Dan Wood , one of our brokers from Seattle. He said he was 55, I think he was at least 65 ;) . Got to bed late again.
In the Gym at 6AM. Finally got to go on a Sea Trial on the new 48' Tiara. As we were walking up to the dock she came pulling in. What a great looking boat. Super clean exterior lines. Mezzanine deck. Bait tank, cockpit cooler. Climbing aboard the decks feel solid. Hatches fasten securely. Nice feel in the cockpit. Going inside the Salon is spacious. Galley is well appointed and comfortable. Below decks there is 3 staterooms and 2 heads. Nice size sleeping accommodations. We depart on the sea trial and the boat is very responsive and agile. It's fuel burn with the C-18 Cats is very miserly. Lots of punch.. it topped out at about 34 knots. I got to drive it and chase around my little imaginary Marlin. Boat performs. Awesome boat. They really did a great job on this boat. Very impressive.
Back to Viking. I can't believe how many people are at the show...DON'T THET KNOW WE ARE IN A RECESSION. I thought I was going to get a chance to go hang out in some booths with my friends. I didn't have a spare minute to do anything. Still avoiding the 82'. Dinner and bed.
Valentines Day. Oh well. Even my roommate Ray Hsieh is leaving me. :( Another big day on the people. We sea trial a 57' pilot house for Gary and Diane. Gary used to run Crabbers and Draggers out of Alaska. Still owns part of an operation there. We gave Gary the wheel, right off you could tell the guy was fishy. Turnin on bird schools, commenting on the meter, picking out breaks. We had fun. He was impressed with the boats ability to have it's sounder work so effectively at 30 knots. He also liked the way the trolling valves could go all the way down to 1 knot or less. We were having such a good time the Capt. joked we would be in Bimini in about 30 minutes.Good folks, they could become good friends. I really enjoyed my time with them. Finished the Sea Trial and went back in. Saw Sail Fish and Tarpon jumping on the way in.
The whole show went like that. We actually had a good trip. Sold a 60 BCE, maybe a 50 BCE and 48 Tiara. Pretty exciting. Got to hang out with a lot of friends. Maybe got some new code group guys. Fun.
I avoided going through the 82 until the last possible minute. Unbelievable. I am not even going to try to explain it. Full Beam Master, 4 queen beds, heads everywhere. Day head in the salon. The Salon is HUGE. So comfortable.
Might not be so bad driving one of these things after all......
View from Collins. The show is blocks long in many marina locations plus the convention center.
Takes days to see the entire show.
Ray is all smiles in front of the new Viking 82. This boat defines a new league in convertible sportfishers.
Look at the profile of the 46. Nice job Viking. Mezz seating will be different on BCE models to contain a port tank. great cockpit, her beam is all the way back. she is a mini-mini 60.
New design for the salon, open galley with bar stools. mid-ship master.
Viking 60 enclosed bridge above. Sure looks different from a BCE...
New Viking 46 Express. The profile of these boats are amazing.
New Viking 57 above
New Viking 82 cockpit, should be a basketball hoop here somewhere...
Steve B. from Viking and Gaston from our soon to be added PV, Mexico office talking in the cockpit of the 82
Bridge of the 82
Nothing gets the heart to sing like the look and ride of the Contender. Nothing!
This is the new 37 with Triple 350.
New 33 step hull. 10% more speed vs. traditional deep V hull. with twin 350 Yammies, tops out at 65...
More speed, but less trim angle vs. trad deep V.
Good shot of the stepped hull...
Miami police boat, many Contenders are used by the county and state. these boats just don't break.
Introducing the all new Tiara 48. The new Flag ship from Tiara Convertibles.
Tiara on water display for sea trials at the Marriot marina.
Transom tank look familier? Yes, it's a BCE/Lassley design.
View of the Marina on way out to seatrail the 48...
Jeff Helsing (aka Mr. Tiara) has sold 100 Million in his career. With Crows Nest customer Ron.
Steve looking at his imaginary marlin as he backs down and spins the 48.
Ron and son Ronnie. Nice people. the 48 cockpit is large for her size, beam carries well aft
Ray is all smiles standing next to Contender One. Look at whats in the water!!! yes, big Tarpons...
Owner of Contender Boats Joe Nieber taking out the new 37 for a run..
The new 33 step hull. Ray and I ran this boat, wow, my heart is still punding. Nothing rides like a Contender.
No cup holders, no fancy heads, just a beast that will pass you when the weather is up..
Contender on water display. 2 38 Express, notice how different each look with different tops vs. our boat with a full step/gap tower
Now I'm back to CA in the rain....
I meet with Bart and as usual he and I have some great discussions about techniques, improvising and learning new styles of fishing. As he says "More than one way to skin a cat". When he said that I thought, forget FeeFee a Cat might be better. Always gives me good ideas. I left Bart around 1 PM and headed to Miami.
After I checked into Anthony's room by mistake I headed off to the Viking display. As I am walking up to the Viking display there is this Ginormous bow sticking out. It's the new 82' foot convertible. This boat is huge. What blew me away was how good looking the boat was. Proportionately the boat was perfect. Lines are awesome as I'm standing by the boat trying to put my jaw back up the Capt., Ryan, walks up and starts telling me about the boat. 36 knots, loaded. Eats the weather up. Spins on a dime, I'm like "Yeah right, whatever" he says , no really. 40 HP Bow thruster. He says it is amazingly nimble. He just can't say enough about the boat. I have only known Ryan for a short time but the guy is straight up. He loves it. Anthony told me it's a good thing we have so many inventory boats or I would be driving one of those. I told him we would need some more Chamois. I was afraid to go aboard.
After hanging out at the display and trying to get familiar with all the product the show was about over for the day. Once again Viking Blew the competition away. No contest. A wide, wide variety of models and makes. Cool stuff. As always the Healy's (The Owners of Viking) made me feel like a part of their family.
Had Birthday dinner for Dan Wood , one of our brokers from Seattle. He said he was 55, I think he was at least 65 ;) . Got to bed late again.
In the Gym at 6AM. Finally got to go on a Sea Trial on the new 48' Tiara. As we were walking up to the dock she came pulling in. What a great looking boat. Super clean exterior lines. Mezzanine deck. Bait tank, cockpit cooler. Climbing aboard the decks feel solid. Hatches fasten securely. Nice feel in the cockpit. Going inside the Salon is spacious. Galley is well appointed and comfortable. Below decks there is 3 staterooms and 2 heads. Nice size sleeping accommodations. We depart on the sea trial and the boat is very responsive and agile. It's fuel burn with the C-18 Cats is very miserly. Lots of punch.. it topped out at about 34 knots. I got to drive it and chase around my little imaginary Marlin. Boat performs. Awesome boat. They really did a great job on this boat. Very impressive.
Back to Viking. I can't believe how many people are at the show...DON'T THET KNOW WE ARE IN A RECESSION. I thought I was going to get a chance to go hang out in some booths with my friends. I didn't have a spare minute to do anything. Still avoiding the 82'. Dinner and bed.
Valentines Day. Oh well. Even my roommate Ray Hsieh is leaving me. :( Another big day on the people. We sea trial a 57' pilot house for Gary and Diane. Gary used to run Crabbers and Draggers out of Alaska. Still owns part of an operation there. We gave Gary the wheel, right off you could tell the guy was fishy. Turnin on bird schools, commenting on the meter, picking out breaks. We had fun. He was impressed with the boats ability to have it's sounder work so effectively at 30 knots. He also liked the way the trolling valves could go all the way down to 1 knot or less. We were having such a good time the Capt. joked we would be in Bimini in about 30 minutes.Good folks, they could become good friends. I really enjoyed my time with them. Finished the Sea Trial and went back in. Saw Sail Fish and Tarpon jumping on the way in.
The whole show went like that. We actually had a good trip. Sold a 60 BCE, maybe a 50 BCE and 48 Tiara. Pretty exciting. Got to hang out with a lot of friends. Maybe got some new code group guys. Fun.
I avoided going through the 82 until the last possible minute. Unbelievable. I am not even going to try to explain it. Full Beam Master, 4 queen beds, heads everywhere. Day head in the salon. The Salon is HUGE. So comfortable.
Might not be so bad driving one of these things after all......
View from Collins. The show is blocks long in many marina locations plus the convention center.
Takes days to see the entire show.
Ray is all smiles in front of the new Viking 82. This boat defines a new league in convertible sportfishers.
Look at the profile of the 46. Nice job Viking. Mezz seating will be different on BCE models to contain a port tank. great cockpit, her beam is all the way back. she is a mini-mini 60.
New design for the salon, open galley with bar stools. mid-ship master.
Viking 60 enclosed bridge above. Sure looks different from a BCE...
New Viking 46 Express. The profile of these boats are amazing.
New Viking 57 above
New Viking 82 cockpit, should be a basketball hoop here somewhere...
Steve B. from Viking and Gaston from our soon to be added PV, Mexico office talking in the cockpit of the 82
Bridge of the 82
Nothing gets the heart to sing like the look and ride of the Contender. Nothing!
This is the new 37 with Triple 350.
New 33 step hull. 10% more speed vs. traditional deep V hull. with twin 350 Yammies, tops out at 65...
More speed, but less trim angle vs. trad deep V.
Good shot of the stepped hull...
Miami police boat, many Contenders are used by the county and state. these boats just don't break.
Introducing the all new Tiara 48. The new Flag ship from Tiara Convertibles.
Tiara on water display for sea trials at the Marriot marina.
Transom tank look familier? Yes, it's a BCE/Lassley design.
View of the Marina on way out to seatrail the 48...
Jeff Helsing (aka Mr. Tiara) has sold 100 Million in his career. With Crows Nest customer Ron.
Steve looking at his imaginary marlin as he backs down and spins the 48.
Ron and son Ronnie. Nice people. the 48 cockpit is large for her size, beam carries well aft
Ray is all smiles standing next to Contender One. Look at whats in the water!!! yes, big Tarpons...
Owner of Contender Boats Joe Nieber taking out the new 37 for a run..
The new 33 step hull. Ray and I ran this boat, wow, my heart is still punding. Nothing rides like a Contender.
No cup holders, no fancy heads, just a beast that will pass you when the weather is up..
Contender on water display. 2 38 Express, notice how different each look with different tops vs. our boat with a full step/gap tower
Now I'm back to CA in the rain....
2 Responses to "Miami Boat Show Review by Steve Lassley, Pics by Anthony Hsieh" 
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said this on 16 Feb 2009 9:19:33 PM PDT
At a boy Steve, knew we would turn you around on the 82... It was a great show, always great to see friends and to visit Viking, Tiara, and Contender. Ray and I ran the new Contender 33 step hull with twin 350 Yammies, toped out at 65 mph. Nothing, and I mean nothing (not even the 82) can bring a smile as large as when I drive a Contender. Simply pure Ferraris on Water, no cup holders, but hang on..
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Author/Admin)|
said this on 17 Feb 2009 3:40:07 PM PDT
I'm not usually at a loss for words, but ... wow.
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