Would you risk your cash on a new brand boat?

[1971Lou]

The bloke has no experience of dealing with new boat sales / purchases or warranty claims, he admits that he has always imported his second hand boats to save money, or try to save money, so how does he know what a customer wants. without going through it himself, he has no experience, maybe he should help people import boats instead would make sense as he knows what not to do about that

I have noticed a differnce from people trying to sell me a new one to second hand, the new boat people are slimey the second hand ones just a bit slippy. i may get the nerve to buy private but i would be afraid to hand over loads of cash with no guarantee

 

[rubberduck]

I have recently bought a new boat with every conceivable extra, because that is what I wanted. I did not buy it as an investment but for fun, with money that I can afford to loose if the [--word removed--] hits the fan. I buy businesses & property for investments.
I started in business with [--word removed--] all and have done very well, & I wish anyone that wants to have a go the best of luck. What it does require is some guts, which I think is lacking in some members of this forum /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nautical]

I'll leave myself out the equation for the moment but would comment on perhaps new start ups and new brands.

Firstly there has to be new blood somewhere along the way otherwise service, product and design goes out the window, complacency is often seen in industries where there is little or no new product or new design. We often think that it is the major players that shape the market but in fact it is the new companies that in many cases drag the old guard kicking and screaming into the 21st century, they are new, fresh enthusiastic and bursting with ideas, some of course don't pay off and you end up with a duffer but put several checks and balances in place and you can make a reasoned judgement, never forget some of the most spectacular wallops have been from big players.

1. does the product stack up, ie does it match or exceed current product design, quality and performance. To be successful as a new product as an unknown brand it has to offer something none of the majors can match, either performance, looks or design, get all three and bingo!

2. does it look a polished and professionally made product

3. does it offer value for money and probably significantly undercuts current product without sacrificing quality or performance.

4. who are the people behind the product (manufacturing), have they experience, have they a proven track record, were their previous products successful.

5. what is the factory's support for the dealer, are they promoting him, investing in his business via subvention to shows and advertising

6. who is the dealer or rather where did he come from, whats his background, what's his reputation in previous endeavours, can he sustain at least three seasons of investment for little return.

If you can tick the above boxes then you should be fairly secure that you are not buying a duffer, secondhand values maybe less than the market but then again you started off from a lower investment in the product in the first place.

Now the trick for a new dealer is to get all of the above in one product, there are very few and far between new builders than can do this, loads of new builders around but in one area or another fall far short or are too specific or specialized for the general market, so you are really winging it.

Personally I put much more store in the individual than flash offices, Armani suited and booted and an expense account, one way or another I am paying for that in my boat and that applies to established brands too, all that glam doesn't come cheap and you're gonna have to pay for it somewhere along the line, the Chairman's Bentley and private aircraft weren't gifts!.

I like to see a tightly run ship, a well thought out strategy and enough reserve / backing to weather the first couple of seasons. Up side for those willing to take the plunge with a new product is you will probably have a very attractive and sound product several years down the line, as we all know as the brand establishes itself so do the prices reflect the standing against its peers.

A quote that sticks with me from several years ago at a euro show from a really nice guy from a new yard now quite well respected and moving into a bigger league...."OK give me the £400k you were going to give XXXX yachts and I will give you our eqivilent size performance yacht that is better made, faster and better designed...........and........ I'll also give you on delivery of your yacht the keys to a brand new Aston Martin and enough change to run it for a year. That same boat bought in 2003 is worth much the same today as it was bought for as the price of a replacement one is now near in line with its established compeditors.

There are a lots of pitfalls in buying a new product from a new dealer, however get it right and you might just be a smug little boater a few years down the line /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

[ QUOTE ]
The bloke has no experience of dealing with new boat sales / purchases or warranty claims, he admits that he has always imported his second hand boats to save money, or try to save money, so how does he know what a customer wants. without going through it himself, he has no experience, maybe he should help people import boats instead would make sense as he knows what not to do about that

I have noticed a differnce from people trying to sell me a new one to second hand, the new boat people are slimey the second hand ones just a bit slippy. i may get the nerve to buy private but i would be afraid to hand over loads of cash with no guarantee

[/ QUOTE ]

For the clarification of facts:

You are right, I have no experience selling boats, or handling warrenty issues with the same. I do have a great deal of experience selling and dealing with high end, specialty marques in the motor trade. Not the same I grant you, but more similar than you might think.

I have only ever imported one boat, my Chriscraft. And yes, this was to save money but it ended up *nearly* biting me on the arse. My second boat was a new Bayliner 285 bought from a dealer here. The Bavaria was not bought over seas to save money, although the price reflected it's location, but was more due to supply. Only four were sold new in the UK. One I knew the owners of (and at the time was not up for sale), one I looked at in Port Solent but was not in very good condition and the other boat on the market had twin petrols, which I din't want. I thereofr had to buy a boat from another EU country, but as you probably know, we are free to move around the EU so was not an 'import'.

As for 'no guarentee', we have actually spent time and money putting processes in place with banks to ensure the safety of clients money.

Not that you will care, though I would love to know who you really are. It is just a shame that you have to hide your identitiy, perhaps because you know your vitrol is not welcome here.

I hope you get a kick out of what you do - because no-one else does.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

[ QUOTE ]
I'll leave myself out the equation for the moment but would comment on perhaps new start ups and new brands.

Firstly there has to be new blood somewhere along the way otherwise service, product and design goes out the window, complacency is often seen in industries where there is little or no new product or new design. We often think that it is the major players that shape the market but in fact it is the new companies that in many cases drag the old guard kicking and screaming into the 21st century, they are new, fresh enthusiastic and bursting with ideas, some of course don't pay off and you end up with a duffer but put several checks and balances in place and you can make a reasoned judgement, never forget some of the most spectacular wallops have been from big players.

1. does the product stack up, ie does it match or exceed current product design, quality and performance. To be successful as a new product as an unknown brand it has to offer something none of the majors can match, either performance, looks or design, get all three and bingo!

2. does it look a polished and professionally made product

3. does it offer value for money and probably significantly undercuts current product without sacrificing quality or performance.

4. who are the people behind the product (manufacturing), have they experience, have they a proven track record, were their previous products successful.

5. what is the factory's support for the dealer, are they promoting him, investing in his business via subvention to shows and advertising

6. who is the dealer or rather where did he come from, whats his background, what's his reputation in previous endeavours, can he sustain at least three seasons of investment for little return.

If you can tick the above boxes then you should be fairly secure that you are not buying a duffer, secondhand values maybe less than the market but then again you started off from a lower investment in the product in the first place.

Now the trick for a new dealer is to get all of the above in one product, there are very few and far between new builders than can do this, loads of new builders around but in one area or another fall far short or are too specific or specialized for the general market, so you are really winging it.

Personally I put much more store in the individual than flash offices, Armani suited and booted and an expense account, one way or another I am paying for that in my boat and that applies to established brands too, all that glam doesn't come cheap and you're gonna have to pay for it somewhere along the line, the Chairman's Bentley and private aircraft weren't gifts!.

I like to see a tightly run ship, a well thought out strategy and enough reserve / backing to weather the first couple of seasons. Up side for those willing to take the plunge with a new product is you will probably have a very attractive and sound product several years down the line, as we all know as the brand establishes itself so do the prices reflect the standing against its peers.

A quote that sticks with me from several years ago at a euro show from a really nice guy from a new yard now quite well respected and moving into a bigger league...."OK give me the £400k you were going to give XXXX yachts and I will give you our eqivilent size performance yacht that is better made, faster and better designed...........and........ I'll also give you on delivery of your yacht the keys to a brand new Aston Martin and enough change to run it for a year. That same boat bought in 2003 is worth much the same today as it was bought for as the price of a replacement one is now near in line with its established compeditors.

There are a lots of pitfalls in buying a new product from a new dealer, however get it right and you might just be a smug little boater a few years down the line
[ QUOTE ]


well said Nautorius
BTW that new Absolute 52 will be a cracker
amazing is the least, I really like the galley upwards solution which was first presented on hardtop boats by Ilver in 2001 on there 58 Vista
congratulations

 

[Mike_S]

[ QUOTE ]
I do have a great deal of experience selling and dealing with high end, specialty marques in the motor trade. Not the same I grant you, but more similar than you might think.

[/ QUOTE ]

Seems to work well for the Regal dealer in Cardiff so I don't see why it can't work elsewhere. His forecourt is 75% quality cars and 25% Regal's and if the marine sparky I use is to be believed then business in new boats is brisk to say the least. Not bad considering he's a mile from the water and off the main track for potential customers. We discussed chopping our sports car in against a boat last year with him so it works both ways I guess.

http://www.performancecarsandmarine.com/

Anyway, good luck with the venture.

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Yes, I think I would, but I would have to see how it was built first. I'm no expert but having a Windy (albeit aging) sets a standard that I would expect others to come close to. And its now a standard that I am familiar with.

I think there are a lot of factors here and not just build quality - its things like peace of mind when handing over deposits for boats in build; having access to whats going on; having robust project plans and delivery dates that are adhered to; broker qualifications and professional body alliances - stuff like that really.

Then there is location and whats already established in the local area. For example Porthmadog and hence Sea Ray are tied up tight with Wynne and Ian who own Madog Boat Sales. Similarly, you will be hard pressed to see anything other that Fairline and Chapperal in Pwllheli. But that sort of thing appeals to me because I would actively seek out another make of boat just be different. I was quite disappointed to see another Windy turn up in Porthmadog and if I were to buy another boat it could well be a Botnia Targa 35 - good build - different boat.

It takes all sorts and moreover, it takes Cojones to do what Jez has done and I wish him all the best.