WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

Heading to the Avalon pontoon dealer meeting this morning... updates over the next 2 weeks

sirbob

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The first week I’ll be at the dealer meeting at the Mich. factory followed by next week doing video and still shoots of 53 new 2021 models.

First time I’ve been invited so not quite sure what to expect.

 
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WhatExit?

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Looking forward to seeing the new models
 

sirbob

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So far so good 😊

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Shlbyntro

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I'm not knocking at all here and am genuinely asking, have they quit using plastic thru hull fitting below the water line in their Tahoe lines? I've come across multiple Tahoe sinkers that were caused by factory installed plastic thru hull fittings below the water line. I think if Tahoe were to fix that they are truly otherwise great boats for the money.

Have fun! I was invited to a Jasper factory tour once and it was a blast!!!
 

BassLakeCruiser

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My folks just picked up a nice little Quad Lounger. It is a Bitchen cruiser. Avalon dealer in Fresno is the only ‘toon dealer around the valley with boats.
 

Hdgasser

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@sirbob shoot us some pics of the new Excalibur's!! I have a 21' on order and was told there was some slight differences in the body work and interior.
 

sirbob

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@sirbob shoot us some pics of the new Excalibur's!! I have a 21' on order and was told there was some slight differences in the body work and interior.


Will do for sure - I heard somebody say there were a number of updates for 2021.

I also heard they will be launching a new “wake toon”
 

sirbob

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Here are a couple of clips from the factory..

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sirbob

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@sirbob shoot us some pics of the new Excalibur's!! I have a 21' on order and was told there was some slight differences in the body work and interior.

Are you sure you have a 21 Excalibur ordered?

I’m told the smallest Excalibur model is a 25.

Im told they don’t make it in a 21 and never had ??


 

sirbob

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Hot and humid today !


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It’s good to see the compass that directs the way a company thinks - based on what I’ve seen today this banner in the building is the way people execute every day.

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Hdgasser

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Just got to watch the videos, badass @sirbob!! My toon should be hittin the assembly floor in the next week! (Sept delivery) Appreciate you taking the time, I dig it.

Keep your eyes peeled for an all white Excalibur w/single 400 headed to AZ!
 

sirbob

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sirbob

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sirbob

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They have a bunch of cool little models in the office of a bunch of the boats they build and a lot of neat pics - as the name is Avalon, they have a ton of pics of Catalina Avalon harbor!
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sirbob

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Here is a real nice memorial to Jims (current CEO) father. His father bought the business years ago and started to make it the company that it is today.

Note the aluminum work on the model shelves above and this memorial stand - there is lots of cool aluminum work and trim in the building they made in house.


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sirbob

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A few notes about updates to the Catalina models / dash options / colors / black out package / interior ...

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snowhammer

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Great company, great town a couple hours away from me. Thank you for posting
 

sirbob

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Great company, great town a couple hours away from me. Thank you for posting

I have to agree - these people, company and dealers are down to earth good folks. This is also a part of the country I have not spent time in since I was a 5 year old kid that lived in Lavonia Mich. It’s hard not to like Mich in the summer!
 
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Shlbyntro

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Ya except for the humidity, mosquitos and horse flies!

.....Wait, I still have all that crap in Tx. Mi is a cool place in the summer.
 

sirbob

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4CE43953-1B6A-4856-8802-06B898E9FF73.jpeg



 

sirbob

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sirbob

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Sorry guys about the vids - I’m shooting with my iPhone...

I see them on my lap top on RDP and my phone (Apple)

I think other brands sometimes have a problem.
 

sirbob

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sirbob

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Where it all begins...

 

sirbob

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A few detail shots of some of the stations.


Fuel tank assembly ready to install

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Arches preassmbled
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Jigs for welding side panels

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Very little wood is used - mostly just for cup holders etc.

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everything is cut w CAD system - no guy with a jig saw !


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Banks of sewing machines for doing logos

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Helms just in from vendor - ready for install


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They have a whole building just for sewing seats and boat covers etc.
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notice all the seat bases are aluminum- no wood like many of us have in our west coast builds...

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sirbob

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HubbaHubbaLife

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They have a bunch of cool little models in the office of a bunch of the boats they build and a lot of neat pics - as the name is Avalon, they have a ton of pics of Catalina Avalon harbor!
View attachment 903052 View attachment 903053 View attachment 903054
If you get the opportunity ask John what association they may have had with Catalina Island, Ca and the name Avalon? Just curious because those vessels would never be considered useable in that location. Perhaps his pops used to vacation there and loved the island.... that'd be my guess.
 

sirbob

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If you get the opportunity ask John what association they may have had with Catalina Island, Ca and the name Avalon? Just curious because those vessels would never be considered useable in that location. Perhaps his pops used to vacation there and loved the island.... that'd be my guess.

He told me yesterday that he used to have a Larson in LB that he would take to Catalina all the time.

Its crazy how the whole office has pictures of Catalina / Avalon harbor / kelp beds / two harbors etc. he has spent a lot of time there.

I also believe he has taken one of his toons to Avalon. Heck, a year or two ago they took one to Cuba!
 

sirbob

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If you get the opportunity ask John what association they may have had with Catalina Island, Ca and the name Avalon? Just curious because those vessels would never be considered useable in that location. Perhaps his pops used to vacation there and loved the island.... that'd be my guess.

While I’m sure there is a fair margin, it’s not as easy as it seems. What I’m showing is the assembly line. That looks easy (but is a skill set) to screw stuff together, but it’s a lot more than that to build these!

They have millions tied up in things like giant metal presses for bending and forming metal, rooms full of embroidery machines, more darn welders than I’ve ever seen in one place, raw materials that are used to make up the sub assemblies etc.

It might look simple but truthfully, I have a new appreciation for these things !
 

HubbaHubbaLife

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He told me yesterday that he used to have a Larson in LB that he would take to Catalina all the time.

Its crazy how the whole office has pictures of Catalina / Avalon harbor / kelp beds / two harbors etc. he has spent a lot of time there.

I also believe he has taken one of his toons to Avalon. Heck, a year or two ago they took one to Cuba!
Thats cool stuff. You may want a clearer explanation and I'd really get a kick outta hearing a story of taking a toon across our channel from Long beach to Catalina. I'm a 30 year resident in OC taking my boats over and RDP has several guys on here in SoCal taking boats across.... I'm sure we'd all enjoy any story regarding taking a toon across. Glad your new friend has enjoyed island too... magical there.
 

River918

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I hope they have worked on keeping their promised delivery times, or at least improved. We ordered an Excalibur in January, 2018 and were told it would be delivered by April. When the delivery got pushed back a couple more times and eventually through the summer (and not guaranteed at that time either), we pulled out of the deal. They are great looking boats and from the Avalon owners I've spoken to they are well liked.
 

SKIDMARC

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While I’m sure there is a fair margin, it’s not as easy as it seems. What I’m showing is the assembly line. That looks easy (but is a skill set) to screw stuff together, but it’s a lot more than that to build these!

They have millions tied up in things like giant metal presses for bending and forming metal, rooms full of embroidery machines, more darn welders than I’ve ever seen in one place, raw materials that are used to make up the sub assemblies etc.

It might look simple but truthfully, I have a new appreciation for these things !


I think you meant to reply to my post.

Ya know I must retract my previous statement. Seems like you can get a new one of these Avalons set up pretty nice for about 35k and a nicer one with tower for 45-50k.

I guess I was mistaking them for some of the toons that are north of 150k.
 
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