continent cut off.Fog in channel.

[oldgit]

As some may know or guessed I have recently started to stumble along the rocky road to the "bigger boat". I therefore have been seen lurking around most of the marinas in the South of England who deem to to broker boats to the overwaged people in this part of the country.The reception from most brokers has varied from mild interest to "we do not haggle here sir".This discussion normally takes place in a hut/shed /portacabin which is sometimes heated.Sometimes the man helping you may know what he is talking about and sometimes actually may have been on a boat before.
Having been to look at 15 ish boats here in the UK the wife n I was running out of stuff to look over, with the exception of some stuff in the wilder nothern parts and there are limits you know.
My internet rovings and advice from this forum suggested that a look closer to home ie..Belgium/holland would be profitable and as my humble hovel is only 2 hours from Calais the following happened..
10.00pm Book ticket with tunnel.£49.00.
7am On train
8am In france on way to Holland.
Driving up through fast clean (not lined with old coke cans plastic bags.burger cartons etc)motorway system and around 3 hours later arrive at
first yard need to ask directions several times answered always in polite excellent english(got a bit of french.spanish german)but feel bad about lack of uk language skills.Nice boat but not for me.
On to second yard real b.........d to find, ask again for directions same result as before polite and helpful and in english.Find yard in deepest countryside drive down roads but something is very wrong,cannot see a single dumped mattress or wardrobe!.Arrive at yard,Modern well lit building very warm inside also work under way to construct big covered mooring area.
First thing said
"your wife looks cold you must have a coffee sit down and warm up"now which boat do you want to look at.Through the window I can see a EUR 3.000000 super yacht and a EUR49000 princess 30ds.I know I dress like I tramp but I might be in the market for a mega yacht.We visit the princess and of course the price is open to offers even though it is already some £3-4k under similer boat in Uk.Go work it out as amercans say.Have left loads out but Why difference in premises/prices and
approach.

 

[Guest]

I spend a lot of time in Holland stumbling around boatyards and have had the same problems finding them as you. Remember in furture that as you enter almost any Dutch town there is a lay by and a "Plattegrond" or town plan, which is usually very helpful.

The Dutch have a different approach to investment, and I believe that they can much more easily obtain business mortgages in order to found, fund and develop their businesses. Here we have to work on overdrafts at colossal interest rates. I think there is probably also a difference in the tax regime: Maggie axed 100% relief on capital expenditure (can't remember the proper accountancy phrase just now) some years ago and there is much more an attitude of "take the cash" in England now, certainly amongst smaller businesses, in other words, no incentive to reinvest.

That's not the whole answer and does not explain the lack of old mattresses but is perhaps food for a little thought.

 

[oldgit]

Agree with all you say.V. interested in boat in holland. asking what sort of offers might get boat.
Then got to get blimmming thing home.Has got nice clean single volvo engine apprx 150 HP.Not sure which one.Is 6 cyl turbo.will try find web site with volvo model No vs hp outputs.

 

[coliholic]

Haha, can't guess where first yard is but could be Sleeuwijk? Second yard must be De Valk at Loosdrecht since they're having big under cvoer floating sales area built.(www.devalk.nl) Very impressive and the right way to treat punters IMHO. Easiest way to De Valk's is to come of motorway (A2??) at Breukelen, by the big chinese hotel thing and follow through tiny country lanes, though I guess that you approached "the easy way" from dir Oud Loosdrecht? Watch the speed cameras. Did you also go to Wolfrat and BCF, both at Oud Loosdrecht? You could also try HMO at Almere (I think) or the Princess dealer (Van Dongen?) at Muiden is well worth a visit, got some reasonably priced boats there and all out of the water and under cover in BIG heated warehouses.

One reasaon for seemingly cheap prices is that the Dutch are first off a big boat owning nation. No they're not a BIG nation, but boat ownership per capita thingy is very high. I'm sure the highest in the world, partly 'cos they've got so much water. Second reason prices are good, esp for what they term "tupperware boats" is that they reallly do prefer steel boats. You'll find mid 70's steel cruisers are in fact relatively expensive, but when it comes to Fairline\Princess\Sealine\Carver etc GRP boats, they're not as popular and hence don't hold their prices as well.

If you want details of more brokers and yards etc in Holland, send me a PM. Oh and ALL brokers in Holland have to be licensed to operate and are members of the HISWA, a regulatory body and before they can become members have to pass a series of exams, so much more professional attitude. Have a look at www.hiswa.nl. It's in Dutch but you might be able to guess at some of it.

And everyone offers you a coffee first, but then that's Holland in general. V nice people, honest and straightforward, if you make an offer they'll tell you staright off whetherr it's acceptable etc, none of this British beating about the bush stuff, though it can make them sound rude or arrogant.

All of course IMHO.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by coliholic on Sun Jan 13 18:27:57 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[byron]

There we go knocking the British way of doing things again. I reckon British Brokers do it best. They dump a boat on a jetty and leave it to gather gunge, if a prospective punter comes along they ungraciously give them the keys and go back to attempting the Sun crossword. After a while they get up and go hide somewhere in case the Punter comes back interested.
British is best I say. It is Pooffy to be treated as if one was spending a wedge of dosh and only gives the customer an unwarranted sense of being important.

ô¿ô

 

[coliholic]

Yes of course you're right your wisdomness. and I humbly apologise for seeming to criticise the "proper way" of doing business. Won't happen again and thanks for the barbie invite.

 

[lanason]

Blimy - Who been rattling Byrons cage -
Has he lost a fortune at the races ??
Does he not like good service ??
Come on Byron - Cheer up mate ;-)

 

[oldgit]

Err yes, Well regarding the speed cameras umm your warning is shall we say just a tad to late.
Regarding dutch experience in general both the missus and I were much taken with the welcome and can only say it was a very pleasant experience taking into consideration I would be buying the smallest boat in the yard.

 

[tcm]

Interesting posting, oldgit.

I agree that continental types much more keen to win your business, and pleasant if they don't manage it first time around. Dutch seem very statightforward, not lacing their sales patter with nuances of English language. Germans are even more straightforward: salespeople and owners don't waste much time in telling you why they didn't/wouldn't buy a boat like yours, and why theirs is superior. But all continentals seem to radiate the impression of being part of a real industry for which they are a first point of contact - in the UK the industry is mired in some sort of post-war snobbery whereby military and fishing vessels are "essential services" sailing boats are fine because they don't use up the fuel ration, and powerboats, pah. The succesful UK powerboat manufacturers primarily sell abroad.

 

[miket]

Buy British!!!

Come on Byron you know our lads and lassies are best. You are just expecting too much!!

I bought in Europe, and am well pleased, but still prefer to buy in UK, even with a small premium.
But only from one UK broker. Haven't found any others worthwhile. And that after 10 boat changes in 17 years. What a poor state of affairs.