Boat Buyers Buoy Vendors at Show-'Knock on fiberglass,' recession hasn't sunk boat sales

Maine Sunday Telegram ^ | March 15, 2009 | EDWARD D. MURPHY

[spectre]

We're taking delivery of our new Bayliner in a couple of weeks. We bought it at our local boat show, and dear husband threatened to cancel the sale if they rang that stupid Bell.

The dealer sold 28 at the show. Furthermore, three of our friends at the lake just bought new boats as well.

So we'd rather get some use out of our savings than see it disappear overnight.

sw

[Starboard]

Lots of money, on the other hand lots of fun. Our season is about half the year, so for 6 months we get to stop the financial hemmoraging and save up for next year’s expenses. LOL.

[Eye of Unk]

I have been there, for my Hatteras info gathering I go to these forums. http://www.samsmarine.com/forums/index.php And just in case anyone is interested there is a pretty good deal on this boat, it has been extended from 58 to 72'. If a person had their own canal dock long enough this would be an awesome boat, if I was going to take a big gamble I might go for this one. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=quick&boat_id=1844000&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=1783&url=

[Eye of Unk]

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=quick&boat_id=1844000&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=1783&url=

[PotatoHeadMick]

My brother is desperately trying to get to day number two, the freakin’ thing is sitting at a marina in Spain eating up hundreds of euros every week, last month there was a sniff of a Russian who might take the damn thing off his hands but that fell through and so gurgle, gurgle, gurgle more of his money slops down the expensively fitted vacuum toilet system (which never actually worked properly anyway).

I’ve told him for ten per cent of the insurance I’ll take her out into the Med and...well of course I’m only joking.

Stand under a cold shower, argue with your wife and tear up $100 bills if you ever want to understand the true pleasures of owning a boat.

[fight_truth_decay]

Not the avid boater..fisherman. He has one til the day he can no longer hold a rod, man the sail or guide his motor craft. Antique boats go up in value and a good investment. Then there is the pleasure boater who looks good on a little pond in a big cookie cutter mass produced boat and hardly ever leaves the dock..with a drink in hand..its a more social thing. That kind of boating gets old, and moves on to a second home on the water.

A house on the ocean nearby community is being built in the 11M range and boat designers/craftsmen are doing the interior of the home. The best craftsman with years of experience, working with "trees" (woods) I never have even thought of. These guys still continue to be in demand. Solar generators are being built in another boatyard.

The Mega money is still spending, the semi rich are said to be more cautious and holding their cash tight to the chest. The smaller earners have not saved, get they may be hourly and still continue to keep the revenues up at Wal Mart. So the guy in the middle gets the biggest blow.

But you are correct..a boat can be a lot of tending unless that too is hired out.

[fight_truth_decay]

I advertised a boat in the Boston Whaler site (only Whalers)and sold to a successful gent from down south/central-in Texas. I had another gent who was in line as well. It was a first come first serve. Time stamp was about 4 years ago however. Some boats move fast if there is a great demand for that 'design' and 'make' of boat. Others can sit..buyers market for sure. Best time to negotiate in many cases. Those hedge funders and Ponzi victims are dumping their treasures. On Long Island you should see the homes for sale in the multi million dollar price range or trying to rent them out for big money for the summer--a ton of them to test the waters to buy. Still the prices are high and unreasonable.

[fight_truth_decay]

Who goes in not knowing if they can get credit. You know what the boats will auction at or you have a range to go by or letter from the bank. The cash buyers will sweep up.

[Yorlik803]

Looks good, but I was looking for something in the “Pocket Battleship” type. With all the trouble with pirates and all, I wanted something with a little more punch.

[Rebelbase]

Boat trader magazine seems thinner than usual of late. My guess is a retail advertisers are cutting back.

[Eye of Unk]

Then you need one of these. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/visby/

[fight_truth_decay]

NJ is for pleasure boaters for New Yorkers, if not on LI, and or if not Upstate..Maine is a different animal. Boats vary in make/design where ever area you are. Luxury lobster type boats have always been desired..with open house on the day of launch to the general public--lots of food. Not the same demand. The waters here off a rock bound coastline with inlets or fingers can be treacherous, fog etc.You don't just jump behind the wheel and head out. Diff animal that is custom built here. Deep sea fishing, 28-31 foot tenders for the larger boats going to Newport then down south for the winter.

Those you named are more of a lake boat here. Lake Winnipesaukee in NH or Sebago, ME etc. The ocean can get pretty rough. Tides are different as well.

Nice photo.

[fight_truth_decay]

Great fun..so you will be too busy to post on FR now?

[Yorlik803]

After looking at that, I now know how my cat feels when it looks at the TV.

[RipSawyer]

Sounds like the kind of press I was seeing fifteen years ago for the small offset printing equipment that I used to live on. Small Mom and Pop printing operations were closing right and left but the trade magazines were running glowing articles about how the market was growing. Based on the magazines I should have been getting rich but I was watching all my customer base shut down operations.

[RipSawyer]

“If there is someone you really hate, give them an old wooden boat.”
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I remember two sayings, “A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money in.” “There are two good days for a boat owner, the day you buy it and the day you sell it.”

[RipSawyer]

I’m expecting more people that live near water may leave their homes and become more gypsy like in the near future, too much property tax, highway tax, its going to make people walk away from a lot of things.

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The new luxury status symbol will be a small cabin set up for minimum cost living, hillbilly style, far back off the beaten path with good hunting and fishing and a good place to grow a garden and easy to defend. I surely do want one.

[Eye of Unk]

You can always consider Alaska, just steer clear of Anchorage, and from real factual observations if by chance you do consider it take it from me that a good place to look for affordable semi-off the beaten path but still able to get some utilities I suggest anywhere north of Willow to Talkeetna heading roughly 60 miles north of Wasilla, close enough to hop down to the big box stores in Wasilla but away to where you can “cough” grow your own, shoot your own, fish your own lifestyle.

I may be buying a second property myself in that direction this year, good luck!

[SkyPilot]

We're taking delivery of our new Bayliner in a couple of weeks. We bought it at our local boat show, and dear husband threatened to cancel the sale if they rang that stupid Bell. The dealer sold 28 at the show. Furthermore, three of our friends at the lake just bought new boats as well. So we'd rather get some use out of our savings than see it disappear overnight. sw

LOL! Enjoy it!

Bayliner is a good boat, especially for the money. I talked to a licensed sea captain here in NJ yesterday, and he compared them to a good buy Chevy truck.