Are we ultimately pushed into what make we buy?

[Kevin]

Hi

I think ulitmately the decision of what make of boat we buy is not truely our own, more a precedent set by previous boating generations?

Its nice to think that we all make stand-alone personal choices but when it comes to laying out the cash whether the boat is going to be in demand secondhand is a big factor (unless you dont care of course) in which case a minority of manufacturers have the whole market basically sewn up and the other manufacturers with equally good products suffer to get a hold in the market!

I know this can follow through into other purchases but fo example cars even up to £60,000 or so isnt anywhere near the purchase of a £300,000 boat. and houses its all about location (it must be as some people do buy hideous looking 'pads') So we all pour over various brochures etc but really know it is going to be one of three or four in each boat catagory and that a boat with a good secondhand market but only 80% of what we are looking for is more likely to be purchased than a craft 95% what we want but secondhand market unknown

This then probably explains the lack of effort by the major manufacturers to get their products right as they sit back on their laurels without having to make hardy decisions on improving their products -wheres their drive to need to do this going to come from?

I know this ultimately is an obvious post containg an obvious statement but what interests me is the idea lying behind it- having independet thought ulitmatly controlled by previous events by people we neither know, trust or would personally neccessarily listen to when making purchasing decisions and that boating although some peoples biggest passion is also possibly their biggest compromise

Kevin

PS I know this is a complete waste of posting space but Im having a lazy afternoon!

 

[Nick_H]

Completely agree. Far and away the nicest boat I saw at Southampton was the Pearl 55 (if a tad heavy), with four good cabins in a 55' boat, and a fit out that put all the others to shame. I'm not in the market for that size of boat, but if I was I may still opt for one of the big four to be sure there is a ready second hand market. Makes you wonder how new builders can break into the market?

<hr width=100% size=1>He who dies with the most toys, wins

 

[jfm]

But that just proves we all have very different views on boats, as I think the Pearl55 is a rubbish design. (Not criticising your view, just disagreeing). So, no point in buying what someone else likes, just get what you yourself want, surely?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ari]

Disagree entirely, if you look at the advances made in all sorts of areas by companies like Fairline, Princess, etc you'll see they're hardly resting on their laurels, thats why they're at the top in the first place!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[paulineb]

I think the Pearl looks a little like a caravan. Sorry Pearl owners /forums/images/icons/blush.gif

The thing that drew me to "Tommy" was her curvy lines. When you look at her from the side, she looks like a dolphin gently jumping out of the water - the lines go down at the bow and stern. And she has a very low freeboard which makes it easy to get on and off.

But the main thing (and this is VERY girly I know!!!) were the hollywood style dressing room lights around the mirror in the master ensuite bathroom and the fact that it has a bidet too.... just exquisite.

<hr width=100% size=1>Pxx

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.paulinebeddoes.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery2>Perils of Pauline in Pics</A>

 

[Kevin]

I disagree

I think that perhaps once they were far and away ahead of the competition and now that they have a strangle hold on the market and even though other manufacturers can match them in all areas, the pure number of secondhand ones about giving a bouyant market gives them an immdiate marketing advantage over their competitors- based primarily on past efforts and past triumphs, not saying they are any worse than any other manufacturer but their popularity is out of proportion to their products advantages over its competitors and until another manufacturer over many years ( the market getting ever harder to enter) can sell enough new ones to make a dent and be noticed in the seconhand market they are in some respects flogging a dead horse in market share terms and perceived ability and quality

I think this leads to even greater popularity for certain makes/models widening the gap in the number of boats sold by each manufacturer when the actual products are far closer in terms of ability, this i think contributes hugely to what people decide to buy leading to my first post that prior boating populations have a direct impact on whats being bought now, not neccesarily what the exact product and where it currently stands in regards to its competitors

jfm- that really was my point that it seems people often dont neccesarily buy what they really want and will forgo 100% correct for a boat 80% suitable providing it seems popular which really means they possibly decide upon boats people prior to them have decided to buy which has lead to a decent secondhand market

Kevin

 

[burgundyben]

I think maybe GRP is partly to blame for this, when boats were made of wood there was no huge advantage in building many the same, each boat was hand crafted and bloody expensive, now boats are moulded in GRP there is a massive saving in building qty and its this that has made entry to the markret hard, fairline etc know when they build the next Squadron 152 footer that it will find buyers cos the price will be right, any boat builder that dares to put some original thought into his boat will not be so sure of his market, wont tool up such high numbers and so cant compete on cost. My boat is a good example of this, despite being built in the 60's of wood, it also uses a moulding technique borrowed from aircraft, they built 119 of them, a huge number for a wood boat, they could only do it because the build technique allowed it.

<hr width=100% size=1>My house is for sale, 2 beds, Hamble.

 

[DERF]

Kev, I agree with you wholeheartedly!

I know that ALL of the boats I have bought have been with one eye on the resale market.... I don't have the luxury of not caring about resale values... at least not yet... who would buy what is ostensibly a wasting asset and have no regard for its future value?

Perhaps that's why individuals buy hideous homes albeit in the right location.... an appreciating asset, so they know (or at least hope) they will see some capital appreciation, even if its a monstrosity.

I think that the major manufacturers know this, (and its not peculiar to the UK either) and they exploit it. I have had a rant on here before about similar.

Aren't all the decisions we make controled by history in some shape or form?


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldgit]

In the lower end of the second hand market resale value is possibly not such a critical factor.Most important for me was getting the best possible boat to suit my financial circumstances at the time.If it was easy to sell on so much the better but think that after a decade or so most makes of craft, will blend into a grey area of being so long and with so many berths etc. Important thing whatever you buy is to get it for the right money and sell again for approx what you paid for it if poss.

<hr width=100% size=1>