New Classics

[TSteele65]

One of my favorite designs is the Sam Crocker-designed Stone Horse, which was built by Edey & Duff from 1968-1995, with 150 boats built in that time. She's a small cutter-rigged sloop, about 24' LOA, with a raised foredeck and a full keel; kind of a unique boat. E&D used solid fiberglass below the waterline, with an Airex-cored deck. Lots of wood trim throughout, including the spruce mast and spars. The interior includes a small v-berth, "crown" seat with a porta-potty underneath, and a sink. There was an option for a #9 Hibachi stove and charlie noble. Aux power was provided by a thumper diesel, either a Westerbeke or BMW.

E&D stopped making them in '95 when people stopped buying small boats like this, presumably because they could buy a much larger Catalina or Hunter for not much more.

My question for discussion is whether a market exists for a boat like this now, but with a little updating (aluminum mast, etc.)?



Note: This one is "Wooden Horse", made by the Landings School in the early 80's, and it's a wood-hull build.

[poopdeckpappy]

I strongly believe that yes there would be a market for the classic line boats, including wooden spars, with the modern upgrades in electronics and creature interior comforts, the only drawback would be cost

I have had more compliments on my (almost ) restored 69 Islander excliber, the classic lines, the abundence of brightwork, the refinished original ports and hdwr, it's just a damn good looking boat.

And to tell you the truth, if I could find a wooden mast with the capabilies of concealing wire down threw it, I would by it in a heart beat

[sailingdog]

The real problem is cost. The differences in cost of producing a larger boat and a smaller boat aren't all that great, and the prices you can sell the larger boat are much greater, giving you a much better profit margin. Boats have become a commodity good in many ways, and the extra quality that a really nice pocket cruiser, like the Flicka or the Stone Horse would need to command is a very tiny part of the market, making them less than readily marketable.

[TSteele65]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

The real problem is cost. The differences in cost of producing a larger boat and a smaller boat aren't all that great, and the prices you can sell the larger boat are much greater, giving you a much better profit margin. Boats have become a commodity good in many ways, and the extra quality that a really nice pocket cruiser, like the Flicka or the Stone Horse would need to command is a very tiny part of the market, making them less than readily marketable.

Unfortunately, I think you're right. People believe they need a 36' floating condo for weekends on the Chesapeake, complete with A/C, genset and furling booms...and a flat-panel HDTV in the cabin.

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by TSteele65

Unfortunately, I think you're right. People believe they need a 36' floating condo for weekends on the Chesapeake, complete with A/C, genset and furling booms...and a flat-panel HDTV in the cabin.

Quick picking on Gui...

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

Quick picking on Gui...

Giu would go aground in most of the Chesapeake... Hell, he'd have a really tough time in much of the waters I sail...

[USCGRET1990]

Where are you at on the Chesapeake? I will be moving to Yorktown soon.
I'm not new to that area, just returning to one of my homes, so to speak.