Miller,

Great informative post about the value and definition of a true custom boat builder like Active Thunder, Kudos :D :D

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: thunderdan ]

Miller,

I agree 100% with your definition of Custom and Semi Custom. The only point I'm trying to make is that more builders than you think fall into the category of Semi Custom based on your definition.

Outlaw, I hear you. Just to simplify my narrative, I used broad generalities and eliminated each and every permutation. I do think that the lines are becoming increasingly blurred as Wellcraft has setup as custom shop for Scarab which will allow one to order a boat exactly the way they want it. Baja also has a new custom shop for the same purpose. While I am uncertain as to Donzi's current setup I have heard that the manufacturer will make changes as long as the customer can afford it. However, generally speaking those companies are really two manufcturers in one. They are a production builder pumping out lots of very similar boats that differ only in color, engines and added options. Each is also a semi-custom or full-on custom manufacturer that takes a hull from the production line and then uses it as the base upon which the customer's dream boat is fashioned. But, since the vast number of boats from most production builders who have custom capabilities are produced without any customization, I chose to only talk about those manufacturers in terms of their being production oriented.

Anyway, I think we're on the same page.

Mr Miller has done his homework! Also, it seems that by the time you modify a production boat to the way you want it, you could have a full blown custom built boat!

Miller, if my phone rings tomorrow and Jassman or ThunderDan asks for 160 gal. fuel capacity I am visiting N.Y. for Thanksgiving and you and I are talking turkey....And if they disappear into the Magnum I will NEVER take that Baja in on trade.

Well done Miller, I could not have explained any better. I have stated this before on some earlier threads, when I was looking for a boat I narrowed it down to Powerplay, Outerlimits, Donzi, Sonic ,ActiveThunder
Powerplay - Was rude,talked down to me ,
asked me if I could afford their
boat,took 3 mos to send me
info, bad mouth everyone but
Outerlimits.
Outerlimits - Awesome boat just 105k more
Donzi - Way to much, would not customize
to my specs, had to many flaws.
Sonic - Did 80% of what I wanted, didnt
want to be negative about other
builders, but told me certain
things to get the sale. I have
been on and driven a 386 and
42SS, super boats, I thought I
was going to buy a Sonic - Until
I met Active Thunder.
ActiveThunder- Not only did they give me 100%
they gave me more, things that
were not being offered from
the others, Exotic Paint, Wind
fairing-like Miller stated,
mech upgrades to drives, L-
shaped bucket rear seats with
custom embroidery, brand new
millenium cabin-to my specs,
not only theirs,they made
suggestions only to enhance,
the best warranty in the boat
business. Best of all they
treated me like Im the
customer, and did not bad
mouth any other manufacturer.
This boat is an investment,
If Outerlimits can charge 105k
more, Pats prices are going to
have to go up. Its not rocket
science or is it. :D

Pat, no need to thank me. I know you operate under the assumption that you have to give the people what they want!

Though, I was wondering, Pat when are you introducing the 52 foot Coochie Momma Cruiser that I know you're developing? As soon as you do, you'll not risk losing sales to a Magnum.

:D

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Miller ]

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Miller ]

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Miller ]

oh ya, they lowered my floor and gave me 160 gal fuel tanks, what a guy :p :D

Jeff,

That is all they did, huh, you and I need to talk. No Pat I only want to make a few changes,three tv's with dvd's, and the two staterooms will do, I do want to add guest quarters though, I think the three 160 gallon fuel tanks are good, and they will give us another foot of freeboard in the cockpit and I only need the auto pilot. The turbine powered engines will be OK. :p :p :D :D

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: thunderdan ]

Oh one more small thing, STEVE, I want to change my entire paint scheme as well as the name of my boat. Miller got me really thinking...... :D :p :p

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: thunderdan ]