Diesel trucks are ridiculously priced today too. But, that would be a rant for some other day since I don't need one of those.........yet...lol! Luckily, whatever "new" boat I get will be behind the house on a lift. I'm saving the money I would have spent on a truck $$ and buy a boat lift cover to protect the "new" boat.

It's not just the performance boats. The wakeboard boats, pontoons, bass boats... If you want to spend 150+ on a pontoon you can, close to 200k for one of the air natiques or malibus. I love checking out the glittery wakeboard boat under all the lights and laughing when a sales guy tells me the "boat show special". Stuff like that makes a guy really proud of what the have when it comes time to sell.

I think very well taken care of boats sell without being listed. A lot of the listings that sit awhile are either poor condition, overpriced for their condition, or have stupid ass colors that only appealed to the original buyer when he was high or he let his wife pick

One reason for new boat pricing is excess....

Show stopping works of art for graphics
Overpowered race engines in social boats
Night club style sound systems
Rockstar bling and shiny things
NASA engineered electronics

Give me more traditional (simple) graphics in a modestly powered boat with a nice stereo, some stainless cup holders, a decent ice box, stylish analog gauges and I'd be happy.

Honestly, does anyone need underwater lights, illuminated cup holders, carbon fiber look dash panels, Alcantara head lining etc, etc? I don't. If one of the big manufacturers went back to basics and built a more simple entry level boat it would probably shave 30% off the price but they'd have to sell to the older market like me. Manufacturers are competing for the wealthy young who,like their status symbols to be loud and garish.

I accept labour costs, skill levels, engineering standards, production advancements all play a part too but you can't cut back on any of that. Fountain tried an entry level when they kept the Executioner in production alongside the newer, better, more expensive Lightning and it worked until the famed gfc hit the world. Bring back entry levels boats!

My 2 cents.

RR

Lots of great comments on here. Another question: why the trend towards these center console boats? Am I correct at seeing that someone like Sunsation only makes center consoles now? Why would Sunsation stop building closed-bow boats all together?

I think they'll still make you a go fast but they aren't building them without a buyer ordering one first vs building them for a dealer to sit on for years. As for the CCs, they're like cross breeding a pontoon boat with a go fast. Some see them as best of both worlds, better ability to entertain and still go fast offshore.

"Lots of great comments on here. Another question: why the trend towards these center console boats? Am I correct at seeing that someone like Sunsation only makes center consoles now? Why would Sunsation stop building closed-bow boats all together? "

The CC boats is whole 'nother rant, too! Holy crap! Find any old go-fast style CC here in Florida and they (the sellers) are asking ALL the money!! I saw a 1988 Scarab claiming to be totally "redone" (of course with used, newer engines, like 2005 or something) and they were asking $80k! Gimme a break!

FYI, that is the style of boat I was originally looking at until my neighbor took me for a ride in his 35 Fountain over the New Year's weekend. after that, I was hooked again on the Formula/Fountain/Cig style boat and gave up the search for a performance style CC.

Simple economics. They build what people are buying. If 4 out of 5 buyers want a CC, that's were they will focus their efforts.

Easier boating with O/B's, speeds that are more than ok for most (70+), and room for friends.

We all have different taste and for some (myself included) a nice CC fits the needs more than a closed bow I/O.