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Twin Vee riding wave
of success into Miami International Boat Show
FORT PIERCE -- With demand for its smooth-riding, roomy vessels at an
all-time high, Twin Vee Inc. will set sail toward even more success by
displaying a number of redesigned power catamarans at the Miami
International Boat Show set for Feb. 17-21.
North America’s largest builder of power catamarans, Twin Vee will
unveil the examples of its significantly upgraded product line at the
event billed by organizers as the world’s premier consumer boating
exhibition.
The multi-purpose, multi-hulled boats displayed on land and water will
reflect numerous product improvements intended to make the popular boats
even more attractive, functional and low-maintenance, said Bob Chew,
director of sales and marketing.
"While we have been delivering our new products since July to our dealer
network, the products have yet to be displayed in their entirety at a
major boat show, and certainly at no venue with the impact of the Miami
International Boat Show," Chew said. "We are in the middle of what is by
far the best year in sales since the company’s inception 10 years ago
and anticipate the Miami Show putting us over the top."
The 64th annual Miami show, held at several locations in Miami and Miami
Beach, will be the first opportunity for more than 135,000 boating
enthusiasts to see the enhanced finish quality, design aesthetics and
all-weather capabilities of selected models.
Chew said that Twin Vee dealers across the country – responding to
consumer demand -- have placed "unprecedented" numbers of orders for the
boats routinely described by industry journalists as having the
smoothest ride of any boats their size.
Driving much of that growth has been the company’s new quality-first
philosophy that followed a change in ownership during the past year.
Chew said the company’s production rate is growing rapidly just to meet
the surging interest.
"We are in the process of increasing our work force and expanding our
physical facilities to help meet these demands," Chew said.
Miami Boat Show attendees will see Twin Vee boats with a number of
improvements such as shinier hulls, more attractive interior layouts and
deck soles, more user-friendly consoles and leaning posts, along with
better quality in rigging and accessories.
Twin Vee president David East stipulated that none of the numerous
upgrades would compromise the soft ride and ease of ownership that
propelled Twin Vee from a dinghy-based, mini-warehouse existence and
into its thriving status into a major marine player in just under a
decade.
Market statistics show that Twin Vee is building some 40 percent of the
fiberglass catamaran fishing boats in North America. And that market
share is increasing, Chew said.
A comprehensive, product-by-product summary of enhancements is available
by contacting a Twin Vee dealer or by viewing the company’s
www.twinvee.net Internet site.
Indicative of the improvements, however, is a complete redesign inside
the gunwales of the company’s flagship, the 36-footer that has been
described by Sportfishing magazine as having no superiors in the
offshore performance arena.
Among the upgrades are an improved center console accommodating
flush-mount electronics, a redesigned and strengthened T-top that is
more attractive and functional, and a walkaround tower option for the
T-top version.
The 36 also has an upgraded, all-white, non-slip deck sole and white
hatches in place of black hatches in previous models. The vessel is
equipped with a new, stern bulkhead design featuring two large coolers.
A two-tone, ocean blue color scheme is standard for canvas and
upholstery. Another standard equipment upgrade is the change to very
high quality stainless steel cleats for all models.
The features of the 36-footer and a comparable 32-footer – combined with
its lower price relative to competitors’ boats of the same size – have
prompted a wave of orders, including many from professional charter
captains who want a roomy, rough-water platform with the fishing comfort
that only a 12-foot beam catamaran can provide while running or at rest.
The 36-foot model, powered by twin 250-hp Suzuki four-strokes, will be
featured by Suzuki Marine at its slips 416-430 station at the Sealine
Marina and Yachting Center just north of downtown Miami. A number of
Twin Vee dealers, including Lighthouse Point-based Powercats of
Florida, will staff the in-water display.
Though not displayed at the show, Twin Vee has also introduced pilot
console versions of the big boats that allow walkaround fishing
capability while still providing an escape from inclement weather. The
pilot console boats are, of course, expected by dealers to do well in
colder states where hardy fishermen like to go out during the winter
months.
Chew said the pilot console models should, somewhat surprisingly, do
reasonably well in warmer southern climates due to the ability to get
out of the sun, out of the wind, and away from exterior noises while
maintaining the walkaround fishability of a center console design.
The pilot console is also capable of being air-conditioned, Chew said.
At Twin Vee’s land-based display -- booth 3890 outside the Miami Beach
Convention Center – several other redesigned or all-new boats will be
available for inspection.
Twin Vee will debut its new Family Fisherman series that offer dual
consoles for the 19-foot Bay Cat and the 22- and 26-foot, high freeboard
models. The new series offers additional wind protection and seating and
will provide an enclosed head compartment on the larger models.
As more boaters are regularly taking family members with them on fishing
trips or are simply enjoying a day of cruising, the interest in
comfortable seating is picking up, Chew said. Some Twin Vee dealers have
already placed multi-boat orders for the new series, he added.
Rounding out the display roster will be the center console model of the
Bay Cat, a boat that is one of the top-selling catamaran boats in the
world.
East said Twin Vee will introduce several vessel versions in the coming
year in response to customer demand. The push for better products and
more choices is part of the company’s corporate strategy to become one
of the top boat-building companies in the nation within five years.
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