From new tech to hull design, boats are changing fast.
Ben Beecher and Marty Davis, at MarineMax Lake Ozark, have been guiding boat buyers into their dream boats for a decade. With a somewhat unorthodox approach of selling as a team, they’ve sold more boats — and helped more boat buyers — than anyone thought imaginable. By starting in the service and repair industry and working their way up, this team has become a dominating pair in the Midwest region for boat sales.
Here are four trends Ben and Marty are seeing in boat design, and what to look for at this weekend’s St. Charles Boat Show.
Thinking about a new boat? Call or text Ben Beecher at 970-310-4814, or Marty Davis at 573-286-1130.
Ben Beecher - MarineMax Lake Ozark
#1. Fold-out Terraces
“It started with the SeaRay SLX, but now everybody does it in one facet or another,” Ben said of the fold-out terrace, the new innovation that transforms the vertical space of the gunwale into an extension of the boat deck.
With some boats, Marty noted, once you’ve found the perfect spot to anchor, the vessel is transformed into a floating platform with a push of a button. Easy-access steps help swimmers comfortably step in and out of the water, and the broad platform allows you to launch a paddleboard straight from the edge.
Of the boat brands sold by MarineMax Lake Ozark, all of these now have a fold-out terrace option:
MarineMax Brands Featuring Fold-Out Terraces
- Sea Ray 400 SLX
- Cruiser Yachts 38 GLS, 42 GLS, and 50 GLS
- Saxdor 320 GTO and 400 GTO
- Galeon 325 GTO, 375 GTO, and 435 GTO as well as FLY and SKY models
- Aviara AV40
#2. Outboard Motors… But Not Just On Center Consoles
Inboard motors have always been popular, but outboards have been the growing trend.
Boaters have been leaning toward outboards in recent years, not in small part because you don’t have to winterize them. But what’s new is how big those outboards are getting, and how many styles of boats they’re getting strapped onto.
While the rise in outboards coincided with the center-console craze, Ben says now you can find an outboard (or two) on lots of different boat styles — especially sport boats like the SeaRay SLX 400. "The center console is not as great for entertaining because all the seating is in the center-middle, so you don't have a great entertainment space anywhere,” he pointed out. With an increasing number of outboard options, the guys see boaters looking beyond center-consoles.
And as outboards get more powerful, boaters crave the biggest they can get. “Not too long ago, everybody wanted the 450R,” Ben said. “Now the focus is on the 500R and 600 V12. It’s crazy what they can do with these motors these days!”
How much power is enough? No surprise: it’s not always about the power… for some boaters, it’s about that number on the side. Yep, outboards are becoming a status symbol.
#3. Surf Hybrids
"Now almost all of the manufacturers are making a surf hybrid,” Marty said.
Marty Davis - MarineMax Lake Ozark
And while nothing beats a true wake-boat for the best wakesurfing and wakeboarding, he says the surf hybrids are popular for families who are just getting started or who enjoy wake sports but still want a comfortable boat to cruise around in rough water.
Looking for a surf-hybrid? Here are a few you’ll find at MarineMax:
MarineMax Surf Hybrid Brands
- Sea Ray 250 SDX and 270 SDX Surf
- Sea Ray 260 SLX Surf
- Aviara AV28S
#4. Changing Hulls: European Style Designs & Catamarans
You’ve seen it: a trailered boat, sitting in a dealer lot, sporting some kind of European brand and a strange-looking hull. The extended-hull design started in Europe, with companies like Finnish boat builder Saxdor, but now American manufacturers are picking up on it as U.S. boat buyers lean toward this new hull design. Beyond looking just different/cool, Ben says that extended hull creates increased stability in the water.
Another hull trend? Catamarans. They’re not just for go-fast boats anymore; boaters are opting for large catamaran-cruisers like the Aquila 28, 32, or 36. In fact, MarineMax Lake Ozark just took delivery of an Aquila 36, a couple weeks ago. “The ride on those will mess with your head,” Ben said. “It's like you're riding in a boat with suspension!” He added, “We have converted our mobile team to the Aquila 28’s, not only for the vast deck space, but the ability to run down the Lake on any given Saturday at top speed to help a customer. These boats will handle anything the Lake can throw at them.”
With all the changes in boating — and more on the horizon — savvy boat buyers seek-out a guide to help them from the first day you say, “What if we buy a boat?” to the day on the water when you wonder, “What does that button do?”
“A lot of people don’t even know what they want, when they first come in,” Ben added. Sometimes their first task as sales consultants is just to help boat buyers know where to begin.
Begin your boating journey — or start the next chapter. Visit the MarineMax booth at the St. Charles Boat Show this weekend and ask for Ben Beecher or Marty Davis, for the ultimate in service before, during, and after the sale.
Call or text Ben Beecher at 970-310-4814, or Marty Davis at 573-286-1130. Email: ben.beecher@marinemax.com and marty.davis@marinemax.com
