Why on earth buy anything new?

[oldgit]

Looking at all the posts regarding grief with new stuff and by that I mean new boats not bits and pieces what is the point.If you buy a used boat and it could be only a matter of months old with plastic still on covers if that is what turns you on,you will have had most of the problems sorted by previous owner who will also have taken the hit regarding Dealers profit/vat/import duty delivery charges etc.
In addition Looking at some newish designs it also appears to be a case of same old hull but new less well thought out topsides?
the big advantage seems to be easier to buy boat of your desire without having to spend hour n hours annoying brokers.

 

[byron]

I bought new in 1972 - never again. I prefer 2nd hand let someone else sort out the problems and put all the goodies on and take the initial loss. Same with cars, never had a new one in my life best ever done was a demo. I am now considering buying my underwear 2nd hand too as I am getting too fat to wear the ladies stuff I nick from washing lines.

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[hlb]

I hate new cars. First little scratch it gets (About a week later) and your miserable for the next year. Much better to buy with all the scratches already in place. Then a few more are hardly noticable.
Cant stand the jelly mould look of new boats. They all look like some toy bought on a market stall with. Made In China stamped on it. Especialy that Ducks Beak on the front of Sealines. Now that dose look daft.

Haydn

 

[byron]

Funny you should say about Jelly Mould look. A couple of years back I was sitting licking my icecream and leering at the birds at St Kats when several people stopped and started discussing the boats, of course they didn't realise I was a Yottie, they came to agreement that if they won the lottery they would buy the more expensive and better looking of the two boats below them. The two boats were a 1980 Crown and a new Broom 38... they were referring to the Crown.

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[oldgit]

On that subject new designs ,just who can use those slopey narrow strips of slippey
shiney glassfibre which are suppose to allow you access to that silly bit of pointy outprobe thing at front of jelly mould boatsReal ankle snappers...

 

[DepSol]

Why cos I got a fantastic brilliant absolute astounding deal, thats why. Cant tell you how much I got knocked off but it was a huuuuge amount ........that's why <BG>

Sod the defects only three problems and all been fixed by dealer with no quibbles latest one is port and starboards rusted through so dealer putting in new ones 18 months after boat was bought.

Dom

 

[jfm]

Depsol, port and starboard whats rusted through?

 

[DepSol]

port and starboard lights have drain hole in bottom but not well designed so rusted thru metal and wires.

being replaced next week FOC

 

[martin]

Hear Hear!

Total agree. We have discussed it here before and it seems that when buying new stuff our expectation is that things may need sorting but will no doubt get great service as buying brand new boat. Had 2 new boats never append. The Industry just doesn't seem to work like that..(BTW have no idea how it does work!)
What I do know is that when buying second hand I don't mind so much when things go wrong as this was my expectation when I bought it. Has been the case that I have been amazed at great service from suppliers/builders when I ring them up about problems on old boats... all v confusin?

 

[Guest]

Agreed

Had a lucky escape last year after ordering a new rib/engine at LBS. Within 3 weeks of delivery I realised it would never be right, despite promises of the supplier/importer. Got a full refund just before SL demise (importers) and was able to by a pre owned outfit which has a bigger boat, bigger engine,and a substantial trailer. I could also test drive it which was not possible with the LBS deal.

 

[PGD]

That ducks beak also costs you on your mooring fees too - now that a pain in the pocket.

 

[BarryD]

\'Cos if you don\'t then there will be no 2nd hand...

Boats for me to buy. Yes bits fall off new boats, and everybody seems to have story about knowing a chum who bought a new <Insert Name Here> 40 footer and the windows fell out, or the bilge leaked etc... but enough people buy them still and keep the turn-over flowing into the 2nd hand market.

OK for over a couple of hundered thousand pounds plus (ouch never likely to be able to do that) you'd expect it to be perfect or as near perfect as possible. But face it you've bought a complex bit of kit that flexs in seas (otherwise it would break) and has two whopping big engines to ensure that it is all kept vibrating. You stuff it full of silicon chips and electric string and then splash 'em with sea-water (Duh!). It's all been built to cheapest bidder / contractor and assembled as quickly as possible to reduce labour costs. Even if you buy a new house then you'll see snags / shrinkage etc.. so just accept it. It won't be pufeck, it will leak and something will come off in your hand.

Something that does come out in the threads about new boats etc.. when the problem was identfied it was eventually resolved either by the agent or the orginal builder.

Would I buy new - not a chance. 1st year of depreciation (VAT, show room shine etc..) on any production asset is a killer. Fully kitted out ex demonstrator, 1 year old distress sale or 3 year old "bored of this one" sale - will be be where I'd look.

All IMHO, FWIW and BTW + no warranty given or implied (NWGOI).

Havoc, fire, confusion, and mis-trust, yes my work here is done...

Barry D

 

[DavidJ]

Re: Why on earth buy anything new? Yes

Like Depsol I got a good deal. Hadn't intended buying new but after looking at many overpriced overused boats got offered a newey at an excellent discount which depending on the time of year anyone can get. With the discount I only expect straight line depreciation for the next few years and not the huge dip that you see if you make comparisons with the top line price.
Another myth is that you get all the equipment, yes you do but the most expensive will be the nav stuff. It will be out of date. You will probably be replacing it in a couple of years anyway...no saving there just a bit of cash flow help I guess.
Like everyone it seems, I'm going through the initial build quality problems which incidently are being addressed without a fuss.
David

 

[KevB]

Because I have at least three years peace of mind that whatever goes wrong (miss use and abuse excluded) it will be repired/fixed/replaced at no cost to me. Everyone knows how shite boats are and whatever their age something will go wrong. buying new gives some insurance against costly repair bills.

It's all well and good saying the previous owner has had all the grief when buying a used boat - what poppycock cause there is always something else going to break.

But what is more important is I have a shiny new one and you don't. ;¬)

The feeling of having something nice and new and just how you want it is easily worth the few grand you save on buying someone else's reject.

All IMHO of course.

 

[DepSol]

Re: Why on earth buy anything new? Yes

Go on David tell us what you bought.

What time of year did you buy? I got mine at end of July start of August by the time I picked it up. Took it to France next day and then up to Alderney two days later before the cheque had even cleared.

Bank delayed cheque clearance as they wanted to be sure it wasnt a fake so waited until they could get hold of me. Agent must have been sweating a little.

Dom

 

[tcm]

always buy everything new?

yes yes, totally agree, with KevB tho of course this doesn't mean that everything has to be brand new. Or does it?

In paris we have found a shop where the chap paints fake art. We found him a few years ago as we walked past the shop and the window was full of renoir blimminek that must be a few quid!

But he makes no claims about it, and handpaints very good Van Goghs and degas and renoir, stamps "reproduction " on the back. He puts them in fabuolus frames, but bigger and more museum-style than normal quickie frames usually found in the uk, so nobody cept a oproper expert is quite sure at first. He charges bout 250 quid for a sort of A2 sized one, which is actually a bit cheaper than some posters. We have commissioned him to do Degas "la danseur" which is that one with a ballerina on one leg. And, of course, it'll be New! And specially made for us! Much better than buying the olde one which wd be several million quid, second hand and not "ours".

 

[DavidJ]

Re: Why on earth buy anything new? Yes

Dom
It's a Sealine S37 Ordered in December 2001 and just being sorted out by Sealine down at the Hamble as we speak. Next stop the Med beginning of April.
David

 

[DepSol]

Re: Why on earth buy anything new? Yes

How are you getting there? Canals or BoB?

Dom

 

[DavidJ]

Re: Why on earth buy anything new? Yes

Canals sound too boring and the Bob is too frightening so it's being trucked down to S. France for £2650 plus VAT which I didn't think was too bad.
I can't identify your boat from the pic Dom what is it
David

 

[DepSol]

Re: Why on earth buy anything new? Yes

Jeanneau Leader 805 with single Kad43 & 290duoprop.

Dom