Why new boats cost so much?

[CC245]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

Our boats are hand made in America by Americans. If you need them to be less expensive, perhaps we can have China make them for us.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

Why do new boats cost so much?

Because.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

New boats are priced about right for the work and materials that go into them and then there's the trailer too.

Now used boats on the other hand... A high percentage of used boats are garbage in short order from neglect even after they spent the big money getting into it, which I have never understood. Can you imagine someone buying a new convertible Vette and then leaving it sit out in the weather all winter with the top down. For some idiotic reason that's what they do with their boats.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

Look at the price of an engine package alone. The boat manufacturer has to add that in too. At the boat show last week we saw go almost identical wakeboard boats from the same manufacturer. One was $118k and that other was $144. The difference was the options. Anything that is meant for a boat is expensive.

Catalytic Converters are relatively new and adding alot to the costs of I/O. Upgraded engines cost a ton! On a simple 21ft boat going from a 4.3L -> a 5.0 is a few thousand, add in a 5.7L and you could have a used boat!

Outboards have become extremely expensive these last few years especially.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

New boats are priced about right for the work and materials that go into them and then there's the trailer too.

Now used boats on the other hand... A high percentage of used boats are garbage in short order from neglect even after they spent the big money getting into it, which I have never understood. Can you imagine someone buying a new convertible Vette and then leaving it sit out in the weather all winter with the top down. For some idiotic reason that's what they do with their boats.

A friend of mine was looking at wakeboard boats and made the conclusion that many wakeboarders for example treat the boat as secondary to the sport meaning it gets put away wet & dirty, minimal maintenance/ dump it when it needs something. Disposable money with many first time owners simply out to recreate and don't know the first thing about ownership.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

New boats are expensive due to a combination of no mass production of hulls, leading to high costs, complicated OB designs and a significant amount of greed, IMHO. Greed is present because of single sources of parts and materials.

Sterndrive powerplants are made up of standard, mass produced engines and drivetrains, yet a dealer will charge you $7K to replace your OD, if he can. I watched that all change, when SEI introduced new aftermarket OD and Gearcases. If there are ever any other aftermarket parts avail for boats, other prices will surely come down. Say what you want, but competition is necessary to keep prices down.

 

[jkust]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

Expensive but I can keep my now 10 year old boat in near perfect condition and make it last another 10 years. It takes the smallest bit of extra effort. I can't keep a car three years before it rusts no matter how nice I maintain it or some idiot hits it in a parking lot. To me cars are the rip off not boats.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Why new boats cost so much?

Thirty years ago I bought a brand new boat and a brand new car. Each represented a certain percentage of my annual income. I'm in the same level position and received only normal raises over those 30 years.

Today, that same car represents about the same percentage of my salary, but that same boat (or one closely similar) is actually cheaper.

However, the difference is that over that time period I've replaced the car 3 times, but still have the boat. With the condition of the boat, it won't need to be replaced any time soon. Everybody warns about depreciation...I say bull. At $300 a year it cheaper than beer.....LOL.

New boats are a bargain.