Hmmm... maybe because of the layoffs there is no one to answer the phone, or do the dirty work, or get back to you. From a boat buyers perspective, I sure hope it lasts another year or so.
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Is this really the worst boat economy in 40 years?
I have been told by a few people in the industry that right now is the worst boat economy in 40 years. But I have to wonder.
I am considering getting a bottom job done, which is not an inexpensive proposition. At the Newport Boat Show, I spoke with five boat yards in RI, MA and ME, each of which said they would get back to me with a quote within a few days. So far, exactly none of them have contacted me. So today I called them all, but all I was able to do was leave messages. Plus I called two others and left messages. We'll see how many actually call back.
Of the eight places I have contacted, only one has been responsive. He is pretty pricy, but he may end up with the job by default.
A few months ago I bought new sails. Same thing, most sail makers I contacted were pretty unresponsive. One guy was excellent and he got my business.
So I have to wonder, is it really a bad boat economy?
I am considering getting a bottom job done, which is not an inexpensive proposition. At the Newport Boat Show, I spoke with five boat yards in RI, MA and ME, each of which said they would get back to me with a quote within a few days. So far, exactly none of them have contacted me. So today I called them all, but all I was able to do was leave messages. Plus I called two others and left messages. We'll see how many actually call back.
Of the eight places I have contacted, only one has been responsive. He is pretty pricy, but he may end up with the job by default.
A few months ago I bought new sails. Same thing, most sail makers I contacted were pretty unresponsive. One guy was excellent and he got my business.
So I have to wonder, is it really a bad boat economy?
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I have come to the conclusion that i am in the wrong business...boat yards around here are not hurting one bit, and are still quite arrogant and demanding.
It is the manufactures that are dying like they did in the 80's but from what i have experienced and witnessed here the boat yards are jammed with work. Probably as people are making due with the boat they have and refitting them rather then buying new. A lot of the used boat buyers tend to DIY more so then potential new boat buyers and those same potential buyers are now like I said turning to yards and spending gobs of money on their existing boats.
Just my theory anyway.
It is the manufactures that are dying like they did in the 80's but from what i have experienced and witnessed here the boat yards are jammed with work. Probably as people are making due with the boat they have and refitting them rather then buying new. A lot of the used boat buyers tend to DIY more so then potential new boat buyers and those same potential buyers are now like I said turning to yards and spending gobs of money on their existing boats.
Just my theory anyway.
They managed to buy and staff booths at the boat show...Hmmm... maybe because of the layoffs there is no one to answer the phone, or do the dirty work, or get back to you. From a boat buyers perspective, I sure hope it lasts another year or so.
I got a free haul & launch with my bottom job last week , but that's about it as far as I can see. Also, I don't see any desperate giveaway prices on good boats, maybe you can get a good deal if you start negotiating, I don't know.
Mike
Mike
I think it's just that boat sellers are only interested in selling boats right now, rather than bother with bottom jobs or pulprit modifications.
No such thing as boat crisis here in Hong Kong. 45 or 50 ft brand new boats arriving from Germany, France or Australia are lined up waiting to be commissioned, and the guys on the yard have to work night shift...no hope to get any "special" deal from the good boat builders I'm afraid..
No such thing as boat crisis here in Hong Kong. 45 or 50 ft brand new boats arriving from Germany, France or Australia are lined up waiting to be commissioned, and the guys on the yard have to work night shift...no hope to get any "special" deal from the good boat builders I'm afraid..
The term "boating industry" is too broad of a segment.
The automobile industry might be in terrible shape, but that doesn't mean every gas station, repair shop, or parking garage is desperate for business.
The automobile industry might be in terrible shape, but that doesn't mean every gas station, repair shop, or parking garage is desperate for business.
Come down to Fort Lauderdale, I'm seeing good specials for boat yard work. Only in the last month or so have the deep discounting begun. A power boat can be bottom painted with 2 coats of Ablative for $20 a foot, including haul pressure wash and block.
Its starting to get desperate, but you have to ask if throwaway discounts are good if you have to deal with a yard that goes belly up while your boat is in the travel-lift slings!!
Its starting to get desperate, but you have to ask if throwaway discounts are good if you have to deal with a yard that goes belly up while your boat is in the travel-lift slings!!
I think you are dealing more with incompetence than anything. People who are incompetent in a healthy economy are still incompetent in a down economy. Unfortunately most people in the marine trades seem to suffer from this malady (at least in the two areas I have owned boats). The ones that do not most likely stay very busy from word of mouth and do not need to go to boat shows. I would try asking around to try to get a word of mouth endorsement.I spoke with five boat yards in RI, MA and ME, each of which said they would get back to me with a quote within a few days. So far, exactly none of them have contacted me. So today I called them all, but all I was able to do was leave messages. Plus I called two others and left messages. We'll see how many actually call back.
All you have to do is look at how many 2006 leftovers are still in stock 
Well I guess it depends on which side you look at..
I bought a Catalina 25 ( swing keel, pop top. all the goodies ) for 4K
Also, found a Columbia 34 for 6K.
Good times to buy..
I bought a Catalina 25 ( swing keel, pop top. all the goodies ) for 4K
Also, found a Columbia 34 for 6K.
Good times to buy..
I suppose it all depends on what segment of the market you are talking about. The upper middle class with the extra income to afford a 30 foot boat might be hurting now and need to sell. I have started contacting marinas about purchasing boats That The Marinas have put a lien on for past due slip fees. So far I have found a few boats in The mid 20 foot range. I'm going to Fla in about 30 days to check out what is available down there in The 30- 35foot range.
People with multi million dollar incomes might just be looking to move up and out of that 50 foot Yacht into something more closer to 75 foot. The mega wealthy still have money.
People with multi million dollar incomes might just be looking to move up and out of that 50 foot Yacht into something more closer to 75 foot. The mega wealthy still have money.
I was at the Southwest International Boat Show in Clear Lake last weekend. One of the local yards was there, and had a registration for a 1/2 price bottom job. I won, and it looks like about $725.00 for haul, block and launch, power wash, light sanding, and application of two coats of Interlux Bottomcoat.They managed to buy and staff booths at the boat show...
Since I find myself lucky all of a sudden, it's off to buy a lottery ticket...my wife saw a nice Lagoon 44 at the boat show she liked! :laugher
Up here in in my part of Canada everything sail seems to be hopping. We have had at least a 10% increase in the total number of boats on our lake this year alone (if not more!) Supposedly the economy is bad but I cannot see any sign of it here when it comes to sailboats. Mind you nobody has bought a brand new sailboat here mostly 70s and 80s boats here...but lots of new boats!
The guy who sells motorboats is another story, none of the three new ski type boats he brought in last year have sold...they are all now on sale.
The guy who sells motorboats is another story, none of the three new ski type boats he brought in last year have sold...they are all now on sale.
Hate to bust your bubble..but at that price I bet a lot of people received a phone call telling them they "won"..........nice sales gimmick..I was at the Southwest International Boat Show in Clear Lake last weekend. One of the local yards was there, and had a registration for a 1/2 price bottom job. I won, and it looks like about $725.00 for haul, block and launch, power wash, light sanding, and application of two coats of Interlux Bottomcoat.
Since I find myself lucky all of a sudden, it's off to buy a lottery ticket...my wife saw a nice Lagoon 44 at the boat show she liked! :laugher
But I had my 41' done with same regime in San Diego for 850.00 two years ago..before the crash.
That's what I was thinking too, and emailed them. They claim there was one winner for each of their two locations. I had been to their booth getting a quote for the bottom job, and was quoted $1450.00 for the work. If they do it for half, I'll be happy. Either way, they are out to get business, and boat owners are getting the work done for less, so good for us.
I just read this article "Are boaters leading the way to economic recovery?" in the Examiner - about an international trend showing increased interest in boating even as consumer confidence slips and unemployment rises! Maybe its like the entertainment biz...bars are still busy. We need an outlet, especially in tough times. I get mine out at sea, rain or shine. If there's wind, I'm "gone sailing!"
I didn't mean that I could not find an aggressive price, I meant that other than one guy, no one had even returned my calls to give me any price. As of today, one guy called me to tell me he would look at my pics and call me next week.
I suppose as someone else hinted, when things are good, the work just comes your way and you don't have to do much. When things are bad, no one knows how to do much (as far as sales).
I was talking about soda blasting, filling cracks and pin holes, epoxy barrier coat, keel and rudder templating and fairing, and paint burnished to a racing finish. Its a big job, so I figured I would at least get some quotes.
I suppose as someone else hinted, when things are good, the work just comes your way and you don't have to do much. When things are bad, no one knows how to do much (as far as sales).
I was talking about soda blasting, filling cracks and pin holes, epoxy barrier coat, keel and rudder templating and fairing, and paint burnished to a racing finish. Its a big job, so I figured I would at least get some quotes.
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