$500k sounds about right for the last of the Valiant 42s. I have a quote somewhere or other from the factory on one of the last ones and I seem to recall mid-400s without sails and key upgrades (refrigeration, etc).
So, back to the inflation question. If we plug that $75k # into our CPI calculator provided by the "gub-ment"....that points to a $325k cost in 2014 dollars. I dont fully believe that calculator, but still, I think a pair of school teachers would have to be at the apex of their career to afford that kind of money. Maybe school principals..
However a pair of professionals CERTAINLY within reach.So the question is, where did that extra $175k go!!! Seems like it has to be materials and/or wages (Americans get higher pay than back then)...and probably $500k isn't enough to keep bluewater builders in business as there are fewer and fewer every year.
Conversely, how do Beneteau, Catalina, etc make a 40 foot coastal cruiser for *HALF* of a bluewater cruiser now ($270k). . Would be interesting to find out what a 40 fo0t Morgan, Endeavour, or Iwrin from the mid-70s cost. Was it half of a $75k Valiant ...or more. That would help gauge the efficiency of these modern builders vs their ancestors.
On another point...as the number of bluewater builders fades away, I think the production builders are REALLY going to raise their prices for new boats. This would explain some of the other threads about sticker shock on new boat prices.
Sadly, this sees like a classic consolidation/roll-up happening in the market
