Outerlimits’ Next Model Move
 

Think outboard. Think performance. Just don’t think center console—at least not yet, https://www.offshoreonly.com/article...ext-model-move.

From the OSO home page.

The SL41 went for over $600k, Way too much $$ for an o/b Vee, IMO.
Even if the SL36 comes in under $500k I don’t think they’re going to attract much of a market. OL’s are nice boats but not many that can afford them.
On the contrary Nor-Techs have a waitlist for multiple models??��

just my $.02

The 36 with I/O's was in the mid 300's new IIRC. OL's have ALWAYS been expensive that few can afford, but then again so are Ferraris!

NT has something that OL needs, a dealer network. NT has multiple product lines but the CC market is their lifeblood at this point and I'd bet NT dealer spec orders alone exceed OL's total production numbers. Dealers in FL, TX, AL, LOTO and Canada/Norway surely are getting the product delivered! As a bonus the FL/TX dealers used to carry Cig so they already had an upscale clientele network and the LOTO dealer essentially brought performance CC's to the lake environment.

Terry Sobo surely saved NT from extinction with his CC idea but the execution of the design was a hit also.

All very spot on assessments and I agree

in an effort to justify the SL41 o/b price I was told the Twin Merc 700’s I/o boat is in the $700’s and that is just crazy $$.

You’d think the Baja, Donzi, Fountain & Formula production of today could easily capitalize on this market gap but it doesn’t appear that way at all.

Too many models now in my opinion. The 41 sl outboard got great reviews and looks like a great boat but it didn’t exactly set the market on fire.

Agree'd, the story & pics on SOTW captured my attn . As a serious buyer in the market who is an o/b fan I was hoping I could see the OL41 and get a sea trial in it at Miami Boat Show only to realize the used price is $529k, it was already debuted in Miami a year ago (clearly I missed that) and will not be there this year.

If you are going to do outboards may as well do a Center Console. Whether its the 36 or 41 there are 20x the buyers for each if it were a Center Console.

But keep in mind the current owner of the used 41 OB might have gotten a break on that build as he was building the first one and he is simply trying to recoup his investment or maybe even make a profit! It wouldn't be the first time that has happened on a brand new build.

I think one of the biggest obstacles in sportdeck OB powered boats is the lack of rumble......There might be a fuel/maintenance savings with the OB's but the "sound effects" are definitely lacking. I still can't believe in the I/O vs. OB build that the costs aren't significantly different like 20-25% less for the OB.

I think the sound difference comes more into play around the docks and observing fly-by's as opposed to actually running in the boats. That is my experience anyway.

I think it is the lack of offerings and price. Other then the AT 29 (not many made) where are other models in a moderate price range?

Also how hard is it to get the Boat balance with motors mounted high and way back? Seems for years they tried to move performance I/O’ s close to center and low, opposite with the OB.

Understood and agree but I've also already owned 2 CC's and still have the GoFast blood in my veins so every so often I see something and the gravitational pull towards a go fast resumes.
In this case I'm also actually boatless making many options more of a reality.

I really think more performance builders could keep people in their boats and off of the center consoles if we saw more open deck/bowrider type designs like the Active Thunder that was posted yesterday. It makes me wonder why more companies aren't embracing that style of design, or at least offering it. It seems like a model like this could be perfect for that.

I think a twin outboard v bottom is going to apeal to a small group of potential customers unfortunately. But who am I? No doubt , like everything else they roll out the door there In Bristol , it will be very nicely done and rock solid .

You sold your second 34 already? That didn't take long.

Not an apples to apples comparison, but consider this: Sport cats from 28 to 36 feet are selling for $300,000 to $400,000. Not something most people would have imagined all that long ago.

Again, not a direct comparison, but food for thought given that an outboard-powered SL 36 would include a useable cabin. (To some buyers, not all of course, that matters.)

Regarding the SL 41 with outboards, Outerlimits is finishing up its second one now. Those are two builds the company would not have had without the release of that package. (As for the financial details of the first sale, though I've gotten to know the owner, who is moving to a sit-down boat for physical reasons, pretty well, I would not presume to know them.)

No dog in this fight, other than that I wish Outerlimits and all boat builders in this segment nothing but success.

Carry on, gentlemen.

Ehhhhh I doubt it.

I love the AT idea and think it is great. I hope it sells well too.

That said it is hard to say it will steer anyone way from a CC if outboards and room to move was what you wanted and your a performance boater. My buddy took delivery of his New Statement 35 in Dec and we took it out for the first time this last Sunday. It has a cruise of 54mph with twin 350's. Tons of room, a great ride, storage space all over, and still has great lines. All in all that is very hard to beat IMO.

Matt,

Everything you stated is spot on but when I think of a 39' Nor-Tech Center Console and the fact it's $200k less w/ the same power but includes so much more (larger screens, windlass, fish boxes, washdowns, bow thruster, macerator toilet, multiple rod holders, sea-dek, more upholestry & seating, A/C, + many have radar or FLIR etc. So when you think of how many other features a CC offers vs a performance Vee it's a bit perplexing as to how they cost so much more.
I know OL's fit and finish is nice so maybe it's in the laminate materials and paint.

Can one put that much in laminates and paint? Must be some magical stuff

Fair enough, my friend, and your perspective is as more informed than most. Hope all is well.

what is considered a moderate price?

I’d probaby have a better understanding and appreciation for the OL if I’d actually seen it and crawled around in it some. Heard the cabin is nice but not ever actually seen any pics.

I’m not bashing the OL at all just drawing a comparison from a value and versatility standpoint. It was my sincere interest in the SL 41 at American Custom that brought me to this conclusion. Simply not in the cards for me 😏

I think Pat said the 29 AT was in the 160-175 range? Out of my range but way less then OL prices. Yet I don’t think he built 1 or 2?

That's the pale blue one with 300's right? If memory serves me correctly, it was around the 170-175k then later, it was advertised briefly for 129k and then disappeared. (Presumably sold)

I thought at the time it was good value but may not be a sustainable price from the manufacturers pov. I think a lot of buyers look at a price and 'round it off' to a high/low price bracket, i.e. Low hundreds and high hundreds. Creates a huge difference in the buyers mind when it's closer to 100k than 200k.
My 2 cents,

I doff my cap to any manufacturer who offers sterndrive or outboard configuration of the. same boat.

RR

What is the price point for the top 5 or 6 manufacturers that are build the new wave of 32-36 ft. Outboard cats. MTI, DW, Skater,DCM. Fountain,OL ?

CRazy you could buy an exotic car for far less then a performance boat these days

All the new 32-36 OB 400 cats depending on how equipped and paint amount and trailer are going between 375-450k new. That is with a pair of 35k motors on the back.

I just looked up for giggles what a 18' open bow run about with a 3.0 liter engine was on boat show special. 29k! Nothing fancy at all just enough to get someone on water.

I get that it is alot of money, I wish it wasnt so.
All the new technology cost money, A new motor package of 1350 merc and drives is 180k each so a twin engine boat has got $360k just into motor and drives. Add in Garmins, all the wire and connectors needed to hook them up, add in a vessel view or 2, add in a fusion stereo and amps and speakers, DTS throttles, wiring harness, oil resevoir, sea strainers, blow off valves, on and on you got another 75-100k just in materials.
Now do a rig job for everything from front to back there is another 80-100k in labor
Put a nice alcentara interior in it and a cover in cockpit and cabin there is 30-45k pretty easy
Add anything to the Cabin up the $ more
Put a awesome paint job on it 75-100k
Your at 675-715k
You still gotta build a hull, now if its a carbon fiber or Epoxy boat that is even more money.
You still gotta build a nice trailer

a SV 43 with 1350's at 800-850K depending on how its optioned is easily attainable and if you disect it the manufacturer is not making a boat load of money.

You can always cut back on the options and cut back the fit and finish to save some money here and there but the typical OL customers are not typically looking to do that. You dont buy a Lamborghini for the price of a Ford.

All the boats are up there in price, because it cost that much to make them. MTI, OL, Skater. DCB
A new Baja 26' with SINGLE 502 60 mph boat on a trailer is $120k
A new 29 OL Far far superior in every way from materials used (epoxy) to fit and finish, to equipment on board, ride, speed, with a bigger motor (565) will run about 100 MPH and cost about 210 K depending on options and paint.

Whenever they start A new fountain 42 build with 1350's not loaded up is going to run I'd bet at least 750k+ to start

My buddy bought a demo top gun 10 years ago. Ran it 3 years and lost 100K in depreciation, probably another 100K in operational costs (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Figure 200K for 225-240 hours of use.

He started buying new Ferraris instead and has ordered and taken delivery of 5 so far, all 458 or 488 models. He lost 35K on a 488 hardtop, made 40K on an early 458 spyder, broke even on a 458 coupe (he kept it too long) and is "holding" a 458 speciale (thinks he should make 75-100K). The 488 spyder was a small profit but I can't remember how much.

Insurance is less than 2K a year! All brand new cars so no maintenance and plenty of warranty. He lives on the intracoastal so he looks at boats all day long but has ZERO interest in losing more money on a performance boat. He owned a Donzi and Pantera before the TG.

You have outlined retail costs on everything so I have to ask, when you built a high end boat do you really pay retail? I mentally couldn't sit down and write a full retail check especially knowing the dismal resale numbers that follow.

As far as rigging, can you really say it costs 80-100K for a week or two of parts installs? We regularly see on the forums how marine techs make no money, Performance Boat Center even ran an ad offering "up to $20 an hour." At a labor rate of 80K then that is $1000 an hour for 2 weeks. Rob just outlined his experience painting a 42 Tiger (big boat) with a well known painter and the job including repairs to the hull was 42K. I would think a brand new boat would have no repairs and be a perfect clean slate (therefore costing less). You quoted 75-100K

The tech might not make a lot doing it, but it sure isn't cheap to have the boat inside a heated shop with the lights on.

Haha. He got away cheap if he only lost 100K after 225-240 hours and 3 years. I always figure the new boat depreciates 50% in the first 5 years if you are putting 75-100 hours a year on them.