Air Dog

The major benefit to the customer who buys an unrigged boat is cost.

Just like buying a new construction home. If your a handyman, then you can save money buy doing a lot of stuff yourself. Essentially you get to install the equipment you want, right off the bat instead of un-installing the factory stuff, making repairs, then installing the stuff you want.

The major benefit to Banana Boat Co. to selling unrigged boats is cost.

They don't have to spend as much to produce a product.

I think the reasoning behind Charlie not wanting to sell unrigged boats is simple, it is his and his sons company.

As soon as they send a blank hull out that is not complete, what ever happens to it still represents them. If the guy is a jug head and puts a chrysler outboard on the back, pontoon boat seats, a bow pulpit from a sport fisherman and speaker wire for all the wiring, it is still a Banana Boat.

Then 5 years go buy. Someone buys it that can't afford a new one and finds himself owning a solid designed hull with a buffet of crap all over it. Do you think when he can afford a new one he will want one after his experience?

Word of mouth travels too fast.

Lets face it, not many of us, including myself, can afford a new boat.

My theory is, if a guy can't afford the whole boat, then he will not be able to afford quality components to install after he gets the blank hull.

For this reason, you can almost be certain that the quality will be less than if Banana Boat Co. completed the boat.

Stormrider

Airdog, I agree... I see too many older Panteras that were sold unrigged, and now they are the black sheep. People know which they are, and that the work done was not up to par of the factory's rigging.
Now I believe Pantera will not sell an unrigged boat for this reason.

Buying a semicustom, like pantera or Banana, will not have the same rigging as a production boat. Why do you think the LIPSHIP editions of the cigs are so highly regarded?

Air Dog

Your right about the pantera. I think it was the black one with the jungle paint job.

The hull is great, but everything else makes the boat look cheap.

Too bad...