Our declining hobby...sad days
06-17-2016, 10:09 AM
#141
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Correspondent
And yet, despite the decline there are more go-fast boating events (poker runs, etc.) than ever. Funny.
There is no denying the decline. While the custom go-fast boat market lost a few players after the recession and now seems relatively stable and sustainable, the production-built performance boat market is still finding whatever new footing is there for it. Huge change.
But, Nor-Tech Sport 390 center console hull 100 was the one that went 101 mph and was at the Miami Show this year. Think about it. They've built 100 39-foot center consoles—I don't know how many of the smaller ones they built—since 2010. That's about 25 a year. Were they building a combination of 25 V-bottom sportboats and catamarans annually in the years prior?
Mystic built a handful of 50-foot catamarans before it introduced its center console last year, right? You probably knew about every one of them. Since then, the company has sold 25 center consoles and is finishing up hull No. 15.
No doubt there has been a seismic shift, a huge decline in the market. But performance-oriented center consoles have become not just a legitimate segment, but a driving segment of the market. Yes, it's changed and contracted—you'd have to be blind not to see it—for a host of different reasons. And yet, there's still life and the overall market is interesting and, for some builders, quite healthy.
There is no denying the decline. While the custom go-fast boat market lost a few players after the recession and now seems relatively stable and sustainable, the production-built performance boat market is still finding whatever new footing is there for it. Huge change.
But, Nor-Tech Sport 390 center console hull 100 was the one that went 101 mph and was at the Miami Show this year. Think about it. They've built 100 39-foot center consoles—I don't know how many of the smaller ones they built—since 2010. That's about 25 a year. Were they building a combination of 25 V-bottom sportboats and catamarans annually in the years prior?
Mystic built a handful of 50-foot catamarans before it introduced its center console last year, right? You probably knew about every one of them. Since then, the company has sold 25 center consoles and is finishing up hull No. 15.
No doubt there has been a seismic shift, a huge decline in the market. But performance-oriented center consoles have become not just a legitimate segment, but a driving segment of the market. Yes, it's changed and contracted—you'd have to be blind not to see it—for a host of different reasons. And yet, there's still life and the overall market is interesting and, for some builders, quite healthy.
Last edited by Matt Trulio; 06-17-2016 at 10:12 AM.
06-17-2016, 10:16 AM
#142
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I am also lucky to have family that loves go fast boats. The other morning my wife was bringing my two kids to school and said maybe we should sell are big boat and buy a boat we could ski and fish from. My 12 year old daughter who is pretty quit and not out spoken told mom that she was a disgrace to the family! Me and my wife laughed about that one. I am raising some more kidds that can join our sickness. 
But is a great family sport. My 14 year old boy (going on 18) and his buddys are always excited to go boating.
But is a great family sport. My 14 year old boy (going on 18) and his buddys are always excited to go boating.Was out running errands last year with my daughter. Little did I know, she found the Sunsation brochure I had in the back seat (from back when they actually made sport boats....) and suddenly she pipes up "Daddy, we should get another boat for if ours breaks...I like this one!"
If only I had 36 SSR money, sweetie. haha.
06-17-2016, 11:38 AM
#143
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I am also lucky to have family that loves go fast boats. The other morning my wife was bringing my two kids to school and said maybe we should sell are big boat and buy a boat we could ski and fish from. My 12 year old daughter who is pretty quit and not out spoken told mom that she was a disgrace to the family! Me and my wife laughed about that one. I am raising some more kidds that can join our sickness. But is a great family sport. My 14 year old boy (going on 18) and his buddys are always excited to go boating.
But is a great family sport. My 14 year old boy (going on 18) and his buddys are always excited to go boating. And it pulls tubes and wakeboards.
06-17-2016, 11:42 AM
#144
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Love it! lol.
Was out running errands last year with my daughter. Little did I know, she found the Sunsation brochure I had in the back seat (from back when they actually made sport boats....) and suddenly she pipes up "Daddy, we should get another boat for if ours breaks...I like this one!"
If only I had 36 SSR money, sweetie. haha.
Was out running errands last year with my daughter. Little did I know, she found the Sunsation brochure I had in the back seat (from back when they actually made sport boats....) and suddenly she pipes up "Daddy, we should get another boat for if ours breaks...I like this one!"
If only I had 36 SSR money, sweetie. haha.
06-17-2016, 11:55 AM
#147
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That said, when I was in a hospital bed dying of kidney cancer 4 years ago I was not sitting in the bed wishing I had worked harder and had less fun.
UD
06-17-2016, 03:38 PM
#150
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