In-House Boat Shows Heat Up The Lake Of The Ozarks

The leading powerboat dealerships at the Lake of the Ozarks in Central Missouri, Big Thunder Marine and Performance Boat Center hosted boat shows out of their respective locations on the same weekend a couple of weeks ago. Though the exhibitions were as different as the go-fast boat brands they carry—Big Thunder handles Cigarette Racing Team, Fountain Powerboats and Donzi Marine while Performance Boat Center represents MTI, Performance Powerboats and Sunsation Boats—both were deemed successful by their respective teams.

Performance Boat Center showcased it Performance Powerboats catamaran line, as well as center consoles and cats from MTI and center consoles from Sunsation Boats center. Photo from the 2024 Performance Boat Center Spring Boat Show by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos.

For Performance Boat Center, it was the second such event the dealership has hosted out its Osage Beach, Mo., headquarters. The company’s inaugural exhibit and open house was in April.

“Our fall event was a hit,” said Brett Manire, who-owns Performance Boat Center with Mark Waddington. “This time around, Friday was hot as hell and we had a little rain on Saturday. But once it was gone it was game-on with demos and deals.

“It’s so nice having events at our home-base,” he added. “We will 100-percent continue with our spring and fall open-houses and boat shows.”

Big Thunder Marine hosted its mostly indoor event out of its Speed and Luxury Showroom and Family Boating Center locations. The show was the dealership’s first, but it will not be the last according to veteran salesman Ed Champion.

Big Thunder Marine beat the heat with a mostly indoor exhibition. Photo from the 2024 Big Thunder Marine BFD Fun Run by Clint Schaffnit copyright Big Thunder Marine

“We were so glad it turned out the way it did,” he said. “Friday was blistering hot—almost a record—and it was 72 degrees inside the showroom. On Saturday, a front came through and it rained. It 72 degrees and dry inside the showroom.

“The traditional ‘boat-show’ model has turned into more of a social event over the years and has become expensive for exhibitors and consumers to attend,” he continued. “We were are able to showcase all our boat lines, not spread out our sales and service team with show set-up, and provide a better experience for our clients. The results were fantastic.”

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