Wooden Replica Boats.

[Alistairr]

I was out in the far east last week and found a supplier of replica model boats.

I didn't order any, but was wondering if there was a market for these things, and if I was to bring some into the country would anyone be interested in purchasing any.

They were very well made, and the attention to detail seems excellent.
They aren't cheap though, the Riva coming in around $200+shipping.

Here are a few pics.

Sunseeker Manhattan

BlueBird.

Riva.

They do a full catalogue of different boats, Modern and old boats with different models.

What do you think of them?

Cheers

Al.

 

[peterg]

Have a look on Ebay, I bought a Riva model just like the one in the third pic down (except mine has white/turquoise upholstery) for £115 a couple of years ago and there were plenty available on there /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Blackfeather]

I'd have a model of the one in the flowery frock.

 

[mainshiptom]

Mustang M43 please white hull,

Thanks

Tom

 

[andyhythe]

Hi Do they have a web site ?

 

[JKay]

There is a clue in the pictures /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Sneds]

Think they're great!
But could only see the owner of a real one wanting a model one.
I'd buy a Mustang 2800 blue hull, but not at £200 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[jfm]

Yup I reckon there is a market. Not for the Riva, as there are loads of those for sale. But if you could source a load of sunseeker/FL/Prin/Ferretti, like the one in the first picture, you'd sell em in UK at 400 each or more for bigger ones. And you wouldn't need to invest in stock - just some good pictures and then import them to order. Customers can wait 6 weeks - it's hardly an urgent purchase. Also, see if the model can be customised to match customer's exact boat (upholstery colours, radar/Satdome set up, name on trnasom, etc and charge an extra 200 for that. I'll have a Sq58 plse

 

[RogerRat]

They all looked pretty good apart from Bluebird, not sure why but it's not as I remember it.

I wouldn't mind a Targa 40 either.. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MapisM]

Careful there...

Not sure about how big such market might be, but I guess there should be some.
And probably not very price sensitive, at least for bigger boats.
But if you're considering to do that as a business, I'd suggest to check if you wouldn't risk some licensing troubles.
I mean, I don't think that in the People Republic (or anywhere else in that area) they bother asking Sunseeker and the likes a permission for reproducing their stuff, whilst I'm sure (well almost - not specifically for UK) it's required from a legal standpoint.
Therefore, you might be importing illegal products.
Not very different from those who import fake Guccis etc.
Probably the risk for a single person purchasing on eBay one model of his boat is not so relevant, but if you're doing that for business - though in limited quantities - it might be a more sensitive issue.

 

[ADLS]

Lots of Riva models for sale at $40 for a 1ft model rising to about $65 for the larger model, to be had in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). All the other models are of Liners and tall Ships.

 

[nonitoo]

This company have been making F1 models for years and have built a few for Princess.

http://www.amalgamcollection.com/en/prod...6f74a1dea46a4e3

My son worked for them for some years and I can attest that the attention to detail is superb - but not cheap !!

Tom

 

[epervier]

[ QUOTE ]
This company have been making F1 models for years and have built a few for Princess.

http://www.amalgamcollection.com/en/prod...6f74a1dea46a4e3

My son worked for them for some years and I can attest that the attention to detail is superb - but not cheap !!

Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

£2750!! for a F1 model, that is definitely not cheap /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Alistairr]

[ QUOTE ]
Lots of Riva models for sale at $40 for a 1ft model rising to about $65 for the larger model, to be had in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). All the other models are of Liners and tall Ships.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes thats is where I took those pictures last thursday.

I did see lots on them as you say, but these ones although a bit dearer, looked far better quality and attention to detail.

Suppose you get what you pay for.

Cheers

Al.

 

[Alistairr]

Re: Careful there...

Never thought about that, if it was going to be a problem, then I don't think I'd bother!

Al.

 

[MapisM]

Re: Careful there...

Well I didn't want to put you off Al, 'twas just in case you didn't think about it.
Having said that, I was told once by a Riva guy that they licensed only Amati to reproduce the Aquarama.
But in spite of that, also down here you can find around cheap far east models...
...I guess they must have better things to take care of, than filing legal actions for these things! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Alistairr]

What sort of scale would you want?

Al.