Its over..... "The common man"
02-22-2012, 07:22 PM
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02-22-2012, 07:29 PM
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02-22-2012, 09:53 PM
#63
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I believe the point of this thread is that boating in general has become so expensive the average person can no longer afford a new boat. Go back 10 yrs or so and you could buy a 22 Scarab new for 37k, or a 25 Sunsation for 42k both with big blocks and on trailer, a 28 Sun was still less than 70k, you could even get a 32 Sun for a little over 80k. Ffw and the same exact boat is near double the $ brand new and the average persons wages did not double in that time span. There are many places to place blame. Merc builds great products but as stated in a previous post the cost is absurd! The cost of raw materials (derrived from petroleum) and not to mention the EPA rules are absurd not to mention the liability insurance for the mfgrs. Now add in the banks not wanting to take on the risk of an average person putting 10-15% down and financing a toy for a reasonable rate. Sure you can blame the mfgrs but the cost is not in their hands. The employees don't make squat. They are in the biz to sell boats. The cheaper they can build the more they sell period! Now add in the cost of a new truck to tow with, that $ has gone up almost at the same rate of a boat. I actually get angry with this subject because I like to take people out and have them experience what it is like to be on a boat. Then they find out the cost (not including fuel) and are wowed. I am a long time member of Boats US, they continually write about getting people into this hobby, past time, way of life (however you want to phrase it) and unfortunately it IS out of reach for the average joe. Makes you wonder about 10yrs from now... Sorry for my rant, I am off the soapbox now. Carry on...
02-23-2012, 10:26 AM
#64
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As stated above I think the outrageous cost of Mercury eng/drives has contributed greatly to the end of the common man entry level perf boat.....wish there was more of an effort towards non Mercury eng/drive packages....volvo tried but when your trying to oust the king dont try it with dual prop/ strange set ups....if it was me Id design something that used Merc props....make it easy to like.
02-23-2012, 11:21 AM
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As stated above I think the outrageous cost of Mercury eng/drives has contributed greatly to the end of the common man entry level perf boat.....wish there was more of an effort towards non Mercury eng/drive packages....volvo tried but when your trying to oust the king dont try it with dual prop/ strange set ups....if it was me Id design something that used Merc props....make it easy to like.
Last edited by VortechSS; 02-23-2012 at 11:25 AM.
02-23-2012, 10:30 PM
#66
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I was watching a pawn show. They featured an airboat built in 95, said it cost 15k new. Their "expert" calimed the same boat built today would be 47k. Perfect example of jaw dropping WTF???
02-24-2012, 01:18 AM
#67
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The entry level performance boat market is COMPLETELY DEAD.
I know. I've looked. Everywhere.
The entry level boats are gone. They were around until the early 90's, and then all the builders started upsizing, and discontinuing their smaller boats.
To put this in perspective, in 1989, you could buy a 95 mph Hondo flat bottom V-drive for $15,000. That included a 454 with a tunnel ram with dual quads, and the most expensive drive system at the time, a V-drive (not a cheap jet pump or outdrive that falls apart the first time you drop the throttle from a stop). It included chrome over transom exhaust, anodized aluminum pieces, cavitation plate, nice paint, dual axle trailer, and on and on.
That also was the average price of a new car. That means, many people of average means could go buy a BRAND NEW 95 mph boat, that looked and sounded good.
Fast forward to today. The average new car price is just under $30K. Tell me what performance boat you can buy with a big block Chevy that goes 95 mph for $30K.
The real problem with today's boats, is the fun per dollar has gone right out the window.
Michael
I know. I've looked. Everywhere.
The entry level boats are gone. They were around until the early 90's, and then all the builders started upsizing, and discontinuing their smaller boats.
To put this in perspective, in 1989, you could buy a 95 mph Hondo flat bottom V-drive for $15,000. That included a 454 with a tunnel ram with dual quads, and the most expensive drive system at the time, a V-drive (not a cheap jet pump or outdrive that falls apart the first time you drop the throttle from a stop). It included chrome over transom exhaust, anodized aluminum pieces, cavitation plate, nice paint, dual axle trailer, and on and on.
That also was the average price of a new car. That means, many people of average means could go buy a BRAND NEW 95 mph boat, that looked and sounded good.
Fast forward to today. The average new car price is just under $30K. Tell me what performance boat you can buy with a big block Chevy that goes 95 mph for $30K.
The real problem with today's boats, is the fun per dollar has gone right out the window.
Michael
Last edited by Michael1; 02-24-2012 at 01:21 AM.
02-24-2012, 06:49 AM
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The entry level performance boat market is COMPLETELY DEAD.
I know. I've looked. Everywhere.
The entry level boats are gone. They were around until the early 90's, and then all the builders started upsizing, and discontinuing their smaller boats.
To put this in perspective, in 1989, you could buy a 95 mph Hondo flat bottom V-drive for $15,000. That included a 454 with a tunnel ram with dual quads, and the most expensive drive system at the time, a V-drive (not a cheap jet pump or outdrive that falls apart the first time you drop the throttle from a stop). It included chrome over transom exhaust, anodized aluminum pieces, cavitation plate, nice paint, dual axle trailer, and on and on.
That also was the average price of a new car. That means, many people of average means could go buy a BRAND NEW 95 mph boat, that looked and sounded good.
Fast forward to today. The average new car price is just under $30K. Tell me what performance boat you can buy with a big block Chevy that goes 95 mph for $30K.
The real problem with today's boats, is the fun per dollar has gone right out the window.
Michael
I know. I've looked. Everywhere.
The entry level boats are gone. They were around until the early 90's, and then all the builders started upsizing, and discontinuing their smaller boats.
To put this in perspective, in 1989, you could buy a 95 mph Hondo flat bottom V-drive for $15,000. That included a 454 with a tunnel ram with dual quads, and the most expensive drive system at the time, a V-drive (not a cheap jet pump or outdrive that falls apart the first time you drop the throttle from a stop). It included chrome over transom exhaust, anodized aluminum pieces, cavitation plate, nice paint, dual axle trailer, and on and on.
That also was the average price of a new car. That means, many people of average means could go buy a BRAND NEW 95 mph boat, that looked and sounded good.
Fast forward to today. The average new car price is just under $30K. Tell me what performance boat you can buy with a big block Chevy that goes 95 mph for $30K.
The real problem with today's boats, is the fun per dollar has gone right out the window.
Michael
Last edited by soldier4402; 02-24-2012 at 07:46 AM.
02-24-2012, 07:05 AM
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the good news is with the economy in the tank the way it is the used boats can be found for a real bargain i know i saw a 27 fountain on oso for sale for 25k with a built big block and all the good stuff but i have to agree with crazy priced new boats i stopped dreaming about buying a new boat a long time ago
02-24-2012, 07:53 AM
#70
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Along the lines of "The Common Man" idea...not too long ago I was seeking some advice and soliciting some service from a "prominent" OSO sponsor here in South Florida. When I told him what I was doing with my boat I was told " We don't work on boats at that level...we have our standards and will not lower our standards". Really...??? When the economy turns around and I move ahead in the hobby...guess who will never get a dollar of my business!!! There seems to be quite a bit of snobbery with a lot of these "High End" boaters. I had considered at one time joining the Florida Powerboat Club but that incident killed that idea. I have enjoyed success in life but I have never looked down my nose at anyone in this hobby or any other endeavor I have been involved in.
