Boston Whaler celebrated its 60th anniversary at this year's show, taking home several awards and debuting three new models.
The sun shone brightly on Miami’s Virginia Key as Boston Whaler VP of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Jeff Vaughn took to the mic to introduce three bold additions to the Unsinkable lineup: the new 380 Realm, 190 Montauk and 210 Montauk.
The Miami International Boat Show draws visitors from all over the globe, making it a perfect venue in which to unveil Whaler’s latest. And since the show took place during the company’s 60th anniversary year, an underlying celebratory atmosphere helped usher in the arrivals.
Vaughn directed the crowd toward a large, gleaming vessel tied up at Whaler’s in-water display: the 380 Realm. The boat’s spacious center console layout and convenient cabin, he noted, are geared toward comfort and versatility. Standout features include a brilliant new windshield access-door design, and a cavernous under-seat cooler in the cockpit’s mezzanine seating.
“The 380 Realm is designed to make any on-water goal possible,” Vaughn explained. “It delivers impressive capability and total comfort, expanding the definition of ‘all-day boat’ into something that encompasses cruising, fishing, entertaining, overnighting, long-distance travel and more. It is a clear reflection of the 60 years of innovation and excellence that go into every Boston Whaler.”
The topic of conversation then turned to the new 190 and 210 Montauks, which join the new 150 and 170 Montauks to complete a redesign of the entire Montauk family. All four models demonstrate the clean simplicity, effortless “hose and go” utility and total reliability that have always been hallmarks of the series, with some cutting-edge upgrades that bring them squarely into the present, and beyond.
“The new 190 and 210 — like the 150 and 170 — have been redesigned from the keel up to ensure maximum versatility, optimal use of space, and the right mix of features and options for today’s boaters,” said Vaughn.
But the new models weren’t the only excitement at this year’s Miami show. Whaler was also presented with several awards, bringing extra shine to an already-impressive trophy case.
For starters, the 350 Realm received a coveted Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The Realm — a consummate entertaining vessel and all-around performer like its fellow 380 — was awarded in the Cabin Cruisers category, a win that was announced on Friday morning during the NMMA’s annual Innovation Breakfast at the Miami International Boat Show.
Boston Whaler was also recognized in four categories in the 2017 Neptune Awards for Marine Marketing Excellence, receiving two award wins and two honorable mentions for efforts including the “12 Days of Whaler” holiday social media campaign and a compelling new brand video.
And that wasn’t all: The company earned its 15th consecutive Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award this year, also announced during the Innovation Breakfast.
Throughout the show, which ran from February 15 to 19, attendance was high at Boston Whaler’s two display locations, where team members were on hand to walk customers through a full array of Whaler models. Celebrity angler Henry Waszczuk was there, sharing fishing tips and tricks; a sawed-in-half Montauk was available for guests to step aboard and reenact founder Dick Fisher’s famous stunt; and the latest issue of WHALER magazine was available, hot off the presses.
In all, a highly successful and enjoyable show — and a fitting celebration of 60 Unsinkable years!
