River Cities Business Journal: Cover Story

Today's News-Herald

LAKE HAVASU CITY - Want to be seen on the hottest boat? Lake Havasu is the place to be.

Lake Havasu City residents have an advantage over the rest of the country with nearly a dozen boat manufacturers located in the city, giving locals the first chance to snap up the premier boats of the 2007 season.

Deck boats are the No. 1 recommendation for Lake Havasu, according to Rusty Romberg with Dominator Boats. Especially the Dominator 25-foot deck boat, he said.

“It's got a 377 MPI Bravo 1 drive and tops out in the low 70s,” Romberg said. “People love it. It may not be the biggest boat on the lake, but it's big in performance.”

Brett Durante, of Magic Power Boats, said even though the 30-foot deck boat is a high-end boat, it's still one of the company's biggest sellers.

“It makes the ride comfortable,” Durante said. “You can pile a bunch of people in and it's great on rough water like we have on a busy holiday weekend.”

Having twin engines, a powered bimini top and a microwave on board helps make things comfortable too.

Bob Whalen, at Campbell Boats, said if it's power a boater is looking for, look no further than the 272 Cobalt Runabout.

“You can get it with any horsepower you want, up to 550 hp,” Whalen said. “And at 27 feet, it's the perfect size for (Lake) Havasu.”

Mike Lotka with Conquest Boats agreed that staying away from the mammoth boats means a buyer gets the perfect boat for enjoying the Colorado River. That's why his buyers favor the 28-foot deck boats.

“The deck is easier to get out of when you beach the boat, it has the foot wash on the front and when the lake is crowded and the water is rough, this boat is perfect for that. Plus it holds a lot of people,” Lotka said.

Bob Burns with Cheetah Boats recommends the Cheetah 26-foot deck boat as the “to see” model for 2007. With a shower, sink, cooler, dual batteries and electric hatch, Burns called the boat “awesome.” Cheetah customer Jim Baltazar agreed.

“I bought one in 1996 and sold it in 2002 for the same price I originally paid,” Baltazar said. “That justifies the price against boats in the same class.”

For the ultimate in luxury on Lake Havasu, Don Little with Havasu Motor Sports, recommends the Premier 275 Sport Deck, a double-deck planing hull with slide.

“It's got a head (restroom), galley, refrigerator, and it's a good boat to pull a wakeboard or ski,” said Little. “But it's also a great comfortable boat to take it easy, relax and enjoy the events on the lake.”

The 275 Sport Deck is currently custom built by Premier but based on sales in Lake Havasu City alone, the boat is expected to become a production model within the year.

Advantage Boat's Kevin Doane said buyers are scooping up the new X Flight 29 model thanks to its new hull design.

“It looks like a catamaran but it's a V-bottom. So it gives the look and style of a deck boat but with power,” Doane said.

Bill Draper with the Boat Broker said the hot boat his clients favor is the tried-and-true pontoon. Specifically the Powertoon with a V-8 motor and the Bennington 2575 Tritoon.

“That's because these can go faster than a traditional pontoon,” said Draper. “You can load 12 to 14 people and really enjoy the day or pull a ski or inflatable at 35 to 50 miles per hour. This is not your grandfather's pontoon.”