Collins Marine strikes a chord with Quicksilver
by Jeni Bone on 9 Aug 2013
Arvor-Weekender Collins Marine
With three displays at this year’s Sydney International Boat Show, Arvor boats on the marina, Quicksilver in Hall 4, and Nanni diesel engines also in Hall 4, Peter Collins and the team from Collins Marine were busy during the five day event.
Their pre-show preparation, product line-up and pricing paid off, with several sales during the show and 'heaps of water tests during the next few weeks'.
'The Quicksilver range was extremely well received,' says Peter. 'For the variety in the range, and the cost for the quality – the value statement as we term it. We sold two at the upper end – a 705 Cruiser and 645 Cabin – both award-winning in Europe in 2012/13.'
Peter reports he was 'very happy, given it’s a new brand to the market'.
'We were keen to get the brand name out there. We sold boats to people who were just taken by the models at the event. The Quicksilver entry level boat is $30,000 for a 5m boat with outboard. It’s a great value boat and also scored a bit of interest.'
Star of the show for Collins Marine on the marina was the Arvor Weekender 700, the neat little 7m trailerable boat.
'The Weekender attracted a huge amount of interest,' says Peter. 'The package is very attractive. It’s trailerable and seems to fit the profile of a certain buyer: they’re coming out of yachts, used the diesel engine and they know the pitfalls of a stern drive. They like the economy and reliability of the diesel. They range from older guys to young couples, first timers.
'With the couples, the interest is driven by the women. They are frequently first-timers who are attracted to its features and not intimidated by the size. They can drive it.
'That’s why the campaign [Wife Steals Boat] was developed for the Arvor Weekender, and the product suits the female market. The product backs up the claim.'
Visitors to this year’s Sydney boat show were 'positive, but not impulsive'.
'The serious money is still there, but people are more discriminating.'
More at www.arvor.com.au/weekender
Check out this video for a walk-through of the sturdy, all-rounder, the Arvor Weekender.
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