As long as it is Mercury!

They built a couple 1075 39 Top Guns in the past and that 39 Skaterette was a 1075 boat and has 1350's now so big power will fit!

Forgot about the merc only power but you are correct there.

My choice would be different if I made enough to SPEND 500K on a boat, compared to being given 500K one time knowing that I wouldn't have it again.

But I still have a issue buying new when I see the used prices but that is just me.

When I was young small performance boat were all over the place, doesn't seem like anybody makes those anymore.

JS, I think your experiment is sound.

However, the "keep the cash after 5 years" issue makes most "dream buyers" go small and/or used with their choices. If you polled people that are ordering new boats, and ask them after 1-2 years if they would do it again, I suspect you would get a much more even split on results. The guy ordering the new Cig/OL etc is probably financially sound enough to keep doing it if desired.

Let's face it, the guys that were buying the $200-250k Fountains etc in 2000-2007 learned a hard lesson. You really don't see that segment exist now and that's the reason the 388 Hustler from the show is still unsold. And that thing is a beauty. That is the price point you are shopping if you have to buy it, use, store and maintain it for 5 years on your $500k model.

My canoe was a "new" purchase, so theres at least one here….

Finish building my 33 CC cat mold..for quads, trips, or a pair of 557's.

You are correct on all counts. The thought behind the resale/keep the money was keeping the game somewhat reality based (reality as how it fits in that person's life). The thought process was to see what people would buy given a sizable budget. The shocker for me was the lack of new boats. For the guys that "always buy used" it presents a two fold problem in reality: 1. There won't be many used boats in the near future if people don't buy new ones now and 2. If the problem really persists then there won't be any new boats either (out of business).

Years ago, Tommy Gun made a comment that there will be a shortage of nice used boats in the future due to the lack of production 2009-2012 so there will be a premium on clean used inventory in the future. Not only was he right but it is still happening. Look at 2003-2006 boats now, there are a ton of them from every brand. Fast forward and try to find those same models in 2008-2011 model years and you will be hard pressed to find anything. So what will you find in say 2015-17 for 2-3 year old inventory?

JS,

You are right on the used boat inventory getting older. Not only is there far fewer new boats being made the ones that are being made price point is much higher then what the used buyer looks for.

I mean how many budget buyers (me) want a 1000hp 6 boat? I couldn't pay for the upkeep.

As a Florida boater you also have the issue of higher insurance, year round use/maintenance (no layup) and salt/sun beating the boat up.......If I won the Powerball I wouldn't buy anything past 700's, they are expensive enough and anything with them will go 100 mph (Vee) or 125+ (Cat)......The big HP stuff is expensive to buy, more expensive to run and then you have to give it away since everyone thinks it needs instant rebuilds anyway!

and take 250k and put it on an s&p index fund.have a few more thousands in your pocket.