L.A. Boat Show Sneak Preview: Who’s Bringing What
For the 64th year running, the Los Angeles Boat Show will promote on-the-water fun, with a healthy dose of muscle machinery on display at the “High Performance Powerboat Hall.” The Southland’s leading go-fast powerboat manufacturers will be exhibiting their latest beauties with their flashy paint jobs, plush interiors and powerful engines. Here’s a sneak preview of what you can expect to see when the doors open at Pomona’s Fairplex facility on Thursday, Jan. 9:
ELIMINATOR
Mira Loma, CA-based Eliminator, builder of custom Speedster catamarans and Fundeck deckboats, is planning to show off five of its biggest sellers:
• The new 36′ Speedster (featuring a walk-off transom bustle) powered by twin Mercury Racing 1350s.
• A 28’ Speedster (featuring Carbon Kevlar layup) powered by twin Mercury Racing 450R outboards.
• A 27’ Speedster walk-through model powered by Mercury Racing 400R outboards.
• A 28’ Fundeck (owned by Dustin Whipple) powered by a 540-c.i. TCM 1,100-hp engine.
• A 25’ Speedster walkthrough model (owned by Jeff Ohai) powered by Mercury Racing 300Rs.
DCB
Company President Jeff Johnston said DCB would display five boats total at their booth:
• M28 with twin 400s (open bow).
• M28 with twin 450s (closed bow).
• M31 with twin Mercury Racing 700s (open bow).
• M33 with twin Mercury 450R outboards.
• M35 with TCM 1450 engines.
As reported yesterday, DCB is also working feverishly on its new M37R model, which it hopes to have completed in time for Desert Storm in Lake Havasu.
COBRA BOATS
Montclair, CA-based Cobra will be displaying one of its 280W Pythons and two 230 Razors. Cobra has made the decision to shows these boats minus power. “We didn’t want to dedicate a specific motor, and give anybody a reason not to buy the boat,” explains General Manager Hernando Rodriguez. “Base motors are base motors, but people almost always upgrade. They’re going without power so people can pick their power.”
The 230 Razor has always been a great seller for Cobra, and “we wanted to go to the show with some more affordable boats that are on special,” Rodriguez says. “They’re all for sale—none of them are customers’ boats.”
NORDIC / HALLETT
Nordic Boats of Lake Havsau City, AZ, will combine both Nordic and Hallett brands in one massive booth comprising numerous models. Here’s what they’ll be displaying:
* Nordic 48’ Poker Run (vee bottom)
* Nordic 31’ Flatdeck (catamaran)
* Nordic 35’ Flatdeck (catamaran)
* Nordic 26’ Deck Boat
* Nordic 29’ Deck Boat
* Hallett 210
* Hallett 255
* Hallett 275
The first two boats on the list, the 48’ and the 31’, are new boats from Nordic and will be making their debut at the L.A. show.
SHOCKWAVE
Corona, CA-based Shockwave, builder of catamarans, vee bottoms and deckboats, will have nine boats on display:
• 21 Skier jetboat with Marine Power LS3 (440 hp).
• 22 SC jetboat with Marine Power LSA (540 hp).
• two 22’ Deckboats with Mercury 6.2L V-8 engines (350 hp).
• 25’ Tremor walkthrough with Mercury 8.2 Mag HO (430 hp).
• 26’ Cat walkthrough with Mercury Racing 600 SCi.
• 28’ Deckboat with Mercury Racing 600 SCi.
• 29’ Magnatude with Mercury Racing 520 sterndrive.
LAVEY CRAFT
Lavey Craft of Corona, CA, will be showing two of its models, the RPM 26 Redline by Lavey Craft catamaran, as well as its 29 NuEra vee bottom (closed bow). The 26 is powered by a single Mercury Racing 700 SCi with #6 drive, while the 29 NuEra—described by company President Chris Camire as “a very vibrant, very pretty boat”—is being built for a customer without power.
CALIBER 1
Caliber 1, the Lake Havasu City, AZ-based builder, will just have one boat on display: its 230 Velocity, which is powered by a Mercury 6.2L V-8 engine. The model was reviewed in Speedboat Magazine’s April 2018 issue, where it was described as “the perfect boat for an entry-level user, and it’s one of the better-priced ones we’ve seen.”
INTERCEPTOR
Interceptor Boats will be bringing three boats to the L.A. Show:
• Kool Kat 2800, powered by a TCM 825 engine.
• Kool Kat 2600, powered by a Mercury Racing 600 SCI.
• 2500 SX, powered by a Mercury Racing 300 Pro XS outboard. This is Interceptor’s new model.
BARRON
Barron Boats of Azusa, CA, will debut a new model at the show: the 190 RS, a vee hull, will join Barron’s 290S deckboat as part of a growing lineup. The 190 RS is a single-engine ski-racing machine set up to handle outboard, jet and V-drive engines. It’s described as a “highly flexible hull for your dream build,” featuring wide interior space that can accommodate up to seven or eight passengers. Company President Jerry Barron will display both the 190 RS and the 290S deckboat.
EDDIE MARINE / LIVORSI MARINE
In addition to all of the cool boats, there will also be some incredible high-performance accessories on display. Many of them will be available to see at Eddie Marine’s booth. They’re planning to bring their popular EMI Thunder Exhaust system, trim tabs, gauges, seat pedestals and other parts. Also be sure to check out the enormous Livorsi Marine display, with gauges, instruments, wheels, hydraulic trim tabs, LED indicators and numerous accessories.
SHOW HOURS:
January 9, 2020—Noon-8pm
January 10, 2020—10am-8pm
January 11, 2020—10am-8pm
January 12, 2020—10am-6pm
Admission is $15 for adults ($5 discount with a military ID); children 12 and younger are free.
