An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

[Chinewalker]

I've been following this board since its inception several years ago and have noticed a dramatic increase in posts the last half year or so. Seems that the down economy isn't keeping us off the water but it is making us take the time to fix what we have rather than park it in the back forty and buy something new. Looks like for once I was ahead of the curve...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

you are correct, we have noticed an increased in activity.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

Wow

Hello stranger! Did you finish that GW? What did you power it with?

Yup things have picked up and I kind of blame craigslist for some of the increase too.

Good to see you

 

[erikgreen]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I tend to agree it's the economy, but it also might be that there are more repairable boats out there, right?

I'd say most manufacturers were heading downhill quality and materials wise maybe 5-10 years ago, so I think it likely that a good chunk of those boats only lasted this long.

Also, that long ago was maybe when everyone was making money on the real estate bubble... maybe a lot of boats got bought then that need repair now?

Erik

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I think that the economy does play a part but i also think that people being able to find sites like this to make the rebuilding process easier is helping to add to the increase in activity

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

Hi Bob,
Yep, I finished the GW Invader as far as I was taking it. The owner took it back last summer to do the finish stuff. The rebuild part scared him but he said he was comfortable doing the "make it pretty" part of the restoration. He bought a couple 1990s Johnrude 3-cylinders for it, hoping to make one good motor from the pair. I told him to dress up the motor as a 1974 Johnson Stinger in "Mean Machine" orange. That would look cool!
- Scott

 

[sschefer]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I too agree that the economy is the big influence. Banks are not as willing to make a marine loan as they once used to be. In fact my bank stopped doing them completely last summer. I had 10,000.00 to put down and still couldn't talk them into it.

Craigs list is nuts, crazy, insane. People are offing boats for a mere pittance of what their value was a year ago. I'm almost sorry that I bought my current project boat because I have had to let several great boats go by that would have been much cheaper in the long run.

What's really insane are dealers that are trying to get top dollar for boats and remain in business. Instead, they're offering free extended warranties and the likes. I see dealers with new 2008 and even 2007 models and I know they are paying more than just the interest on the older loans.

Last year at this time there were 3 mainstream boat dealers in my area. Now there is one. I'm in a position such that my budget for my boat is adequate. However, I now find myself holding back on certain items that I have budgeted wondering if I really need it now. I also find myself upgrading to higher quality on a regular basis and adding to my budget when I do.

It's a stange phenomenon that I can only attempt to meagerly decipher as a loss of consumer faith. I think that it's finally hitting home that to pay 20,000.00 for a medium quality boat is stupid when a 1990 version just needs a little work and will be virtually the same boat.

 

[redfury]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

Yeah, whatever happened to boat technology? Seems that its all in the motor and not the boat, save a few small boat manufactures, all the boats out there are rubber stamped clones of each other. kinda like the auto industry...hmmmm

If the site is seeing more members, I think it's due to a shift back to "fix it, make it last" instead of "throw it away, get a new one". The computer tech forum I'm on has seen a rise in new members trying to keep their PC's running, or inquiring on how to get them to run faster/upgrade instead of purchasing new.

Screwdriver sales are going to go through the roof!

 

[projecthog]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I think you all have good reason nailed for the increased attendance/membership at Iboats.

I also think that people are getting fidgety with the high prices for boats as time goes on, and as a skinnier economy forces clearer and more careful thinking, more used boats are bought to be fixed with advice from this great pool of knowledge/experience here.

Some of the new boats are also poorly put together, and I think BECAUSE of a deteriorating economy, it is finally starting to sink in that the manufacturers and dealers have maybe spent just a little too much time on the band wagon. (out of nessesity too I'm sure.)

It's only an opinion, but I don't think I'm to far off.

In any case, good for Iboats, more friends to be had, and more info to absorb.

Cheers, PH.

 

[redfury]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

What we have here is a renaissance of boats!

 

[Mark42]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I agree, its the economy that is driving people to take care of what they have rather than buy new.

Maybe this will fuel a trend toward making products that are not so disposable, but instead make quality products that are serviceable.

 

[sschefer]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

Yeah, whatever happened to boat technology? Seems that its all in the motor and not the boat, save a few small boat manufactures, all the boats out there are rubber stamped clones of each other. kinda like the auto industry...hmmmm

Want a real shock.. go take a look at http://www.brunswick.com/brands/
And this is only a partial list. My MonArk was made in Arkansas by Brunswick. I had a dealer try to tell me that a Crestliner was a far superior hull compared to a Lowe... NOT.... Same plant, same construction, almost the same exact boat. I haven't bothered to look at the SEC filings for Brunswick but I'd bet you'ld find a lot of other boats that you thought were special, aren't.

 

[redfury]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I agree, its the economy that is driving people to take care of what they have rather than buy new.

Maybe this will fuel a trend toward making products that are not so disposable, but instead make quality products that are serviceable.

God, we can only hope, eh? I bet there isn't a toaster out there right now that you'll find on Ebay 30 years from now

Want a real shock.. go take a look at http://www.brunswick.com/brands/
And this is only a partial list. My MonArk was made in Arkansas by Brunswick. I had a dealer try to tell me that a Crestliner was a far superior hull compared to a Lowe... NOT.... Same plant, same construction, almost the same exact boat. I haven't bothered to look at the SEC filings for Brunswick but I'd bet you'ld find a lot of other boats that you thought were special, aren't.

My eyes were opened to that by my brother in law years ago....it's almost sickening.

 

[projecthog]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

Hahaha on the toaster....

You're not kiding with that analogy, some toasters don't even last a year before they get hammered in frustration.
Most of them are made out of plastic anyway.
Material for the future recyclable cars!

And just to back up your point,
I just bought three 50's and 60's electric frying pans, cleaned them up and they're mint!
One of em is round and all three of them are perfect.
handy for the watercamper.
PH.

 

[sschefer]

Re: An Observation on Boat Repair/Rebuild

I like Lowes flat boats but I don't like the way they are welded at the seams.
I'm an old rivet lover, makes me think of airplanes and Starcraft.
PH.

PH I have a 1991 MonArk Legend 1800 FS. Rumor has it that these boats were sold with Mariner engines and made specifically for sale in Canada. I've called Starcraft and they pretty much said its the same as a Starcraft. In fact they were willing to give me Starcraft Logos and graphics for it if I wanted. I took them up and ordered the 2009 set. I guess they don't feel the boat has changed enough in 18 years to confuse anyone.
By the way, one of the decendents of the original owner recently took Starcraft back. I'm not sure how much control they got back but the new boats look pretty darn nice for a mid range setup.