I hear you. But I'm trying to work backwards here by starting with the customer and backing into the price point and the performance requirements to see if that's what people want. As for the profitability of a $35-40k boat with a 496 HO, bravo drive and Gaffrig guages, it would be tight. On the other hand, it's possible, even if barely.

I agree, too make a profit at such a small retail margin, you would have to do numbers, which require more time on your behalf, then hiring employees, account for things to go wrong, you have to pay for that, insurance, the list goes on, its not easy owning your own co. I dont want to sound discouraging, but Im not a sugarcoater eithier, good luck to you, how about 45k, thats still reasonable.

I'm trying to do it right now, and I don't think it could be done with out cutting some major corners. This stuff is OK, when it's your own boat, and there is nobody to blame but yourself, but that ain't so for a manufacturer.

Good points, guys. Thanks. I'm no manufacturer, more of a marketing guy. I'd love to talk to more of you that do have building experience. Remember the Camaros and the Firebirds of the 60's? Well, I still wasn't around, but the idea behind these cars was to mass produce a car for the hot rod enthusiast so that the car was easily within touch by everybody. Granted, there is 30 year financing, but we all know that the real expense is in the use of these machines. Reducing the silly extras that always end up rattling and breaking and building a bare bones fun machine is the idea here. The 496 is cheap and about the only thing that can go on this boat. WIth a 5 year warranty (which understandably is voided when you race, but don't forget the poker run) the market is broadened.

I'll take one. I don't see how this can be done. A 496 Mag HO with a Bravo One drive costs around $18,000, thats a price I got from a high volume supplier. I don't know what a manufacturer pays. Gauges, sreering, fuel tank, electrical, two seats and a rear bench, I think you would have $25,000 to $30,000 in just parts before you even started building the hull. SuperBoat offers a boat like this, great boat, 30' with a 496Mag HO for somewhere around $64,000. Maybe you could talk John into taking $29,000 of the price of his boats. He would sell a ton of them. rtaylor is the SuperBoat who you are refering to, it along with a Phantom are probable the only 30' boats that will run close to 75 MPH with that power.

Kirk

[ 01-13-2002: Message edited by: KN ]

A licenced boat builder can pay 40 to 50 percent off list price

rtaylor where ar eyou in NY are you in NYC? I would be interested in aboat like tah but i think it could sell for more $$$$ and still be reasonable

If you or anyone else builds it, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. Personally, I like all white boats. I was a stereo installer for years, so I don't want to pay a boat builder their ridiculous prices for a system. And as for a cabin, I never use it, other than for storage. For me, this would be the perfect boat.

kn is right.the labor cost alone to build a 30' has to be 10k! the only thing i could think of if it is built by cheap labor(ie.china or some country like that)if you can make it happen that would be great!

sounds good...where do we go to get one??? can I leave off the motor and get my own ??? is that a option ???