what is it about GW clubs?

sel1005

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
232
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
FL
There are a lot of us GW owners out there but other than a few, select areas of the country, getting a club together seems to be a real challenge!

Anyone have any thoughts on why this is, why its so difficult to get owners together to spend time on the water and have fun as a group? In the area I live in, we have dozens of GW owners but the dealer - now defunct - never invested or tried to get folks together. As a result, I see lots of GWs on the water but have no clue who they are, where they live or what they do.

Raft ups or fishing trips or GW tournaments just never happen. We have all invested lots of $$ in a really high quality product, how do we get more ROI out of our boats?
 

jaydub

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
147
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Florida
Where in FL are you located? There are 2 really active clubs in SW Florida: Tarpon Coast and Fish Tales. I think it helps to have strong dealer support.
 

Average Joe

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2005
Messages
479
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Because GW owners are kinda snooty :lol: Seriously though, we started the Tidewater Grady White Club ~ 2 years ago and the first event that was sponsored by GW was very well attended. Of course it involved free food and drink and some really nice door prizes!

Since that time, despite some really fun events on the calendar, we typically only have about 20-30% membership participation (usually the same ones).

I wish I knew why that was. I don't understand why you would pay annual dues and then not enjoy the benefits.

I've thought about starting my own club called the "Do Nothing Boat Club". You send me your annual dues, we will not have a schedule of events and I'll just spend the money. :wink:
 

sel1005

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
232
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
FL
Can you join the Do Nothing Boat Club (aka, DNBC Inc) without paying, or is $$ required?

I feel sometimes like clubs are like a gym, you need to get members but hope they never show up? I wish I understood, really do, but people spend $100K or $200K or more, but no one wants to get together and do anything?

Our original dealer - who I have nothing to do with anymore, lots of reasons that we won't waste oxygen on - went the SeaRay route, 150% of their time and $$ was on SeaRay and their annual raft up events, cruises, etc. GW was at the bottom of the pile, and while we spent substantial $$ with them, well, GW was not a SeaRay so no one would do anything to further the GW club development.

We have tried multiple times, much at my personal expense, to get folks together, but no one seems interested. Would love to hear if anyone has any magic but darn if I do.....
 

JUMPNJACK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
175
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Chattahoochee Florida
Making it Happen!

Just breaking the ice and talking is always a good start. Look forward to hearing from fellow Grady folks in the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and Alabama. I am certain that we can make a little something happen! 8)
 

GW VOYAGER

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Aug 5, 2009
Messages
300
Reaction score
11
Points
18
Location
Bainbridge Ga.
sel1005 I live in south Ga. and Im not in any GW club but could be intrested joining one! You never stated what part of Fl. you live.
 

JUMPNJACK

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Messages
175
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Chattahoochee Florida
Hey Captain!

This is the fellow that I mentioned previously with the bigger Grady. He is from Destin and might be interested in meeting us in Appalach sometime. Glad to see you! 8)
 

Potterbuilt

Active Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2007
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
South Florida
sel1005, You can take a look at our club, The Gulfstream Grady Group. The club has has over 40 members in and around Palm Beach County, FL. We also have a few members from central Florida that join us for our local events along with our trips to the Bahamas and else where. We started the club a little over two years ago and we continue to grow with new members. Take a look at our website for more information - www.gulfstreamgradygroup.com Also come down to the All American Grady Fest at Fish Tale in Ft. Myers, FL this March to meet other clubs and their members all around the U.S. Happy Holidays and Hapy New Year!!
 

ChickCullen

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
League City, Texas
We have started the "Lone Star Grady White Club" in Houston just last year. We have tried to figure ways to get Grady owners together. We just elected new officers tonight and are hoping to help the club grow this year. Just found out about this forum and hope we can get some ideas that have worked.
 

townvet

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
136
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
New Castle, NH
Chickcullen

We just launched the Northeast Grady White Club for Northern Mass/Southern NH and Maine.

May be good to touch base.

We are 42 boats strong at the onset.

Good luck to you.

David
Commodore
Northeast Grady-White Club
 

ChickCullen

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
8
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
League City, Texas
David, we are trying to reach out and provide the opportunity for us to use our boats and learn more about our boats and the waters here in the Galveston Bay region. If you know of some good club type activities we are open to ideas.
Chick