Your Boat's True Value - Observations from FLIBS

BEH…..

Looked at Sovreign….great boats but too pricey for our limited season. We chose Gulfstream …. flexible options… 50/100 hr block time or 6/12 month membership…(can choose weekday only also)..Pontoon, dual console and centre console available. Our manager split our membership to 2 3 month periods, although I’m not sure it’s still offered.
Passed on Freedom … didn’t like the boats or the shape they were in.
We usually went out once a week ….. cruise intracoastal..Egmont key to Madeira Beach…lots of places to throw out the hook.
Opened up a whole new way to enjoy Florida.
 
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The WEF really does say that 'you will have nothing and be happy' stuff. But they don't give a rip whether you are happy or not. That first part, though, they are very serious about.

And notice in their very own quote it was not 'I' or even 'we'. It was 'you'. That is very telling isn't it? Not only do they want to completely upend your existence, they feel entitled to doing so. I know SOME of them intend this lifestyle for themselves, too. But even with those, it is imperative to them that YOU participate. They will be happy to force you to see it their way.

No thanks. I am already happy. They can have all the nothing.
 
I have a theory that as we age there is a point that we fix in our minds what things cost. Gas should cost this, a house should cost this, a job should pay that…but that’s not the way things work. time marches on…prices go up…and technology progresses.

In my 20s I looked at those new 330’s and 400’s, had no comprehension of how anyone could afford those boats. In my 30’s I was able to buy those same exact boats because they depreciated and my wages increased.

I don't believe new 40’+ express cruisers were realistically affordable to the mainstream middle class then nor now. We had to wait for asset depreciation/wage appreciation to come to us.

it’s time to stop thinking of pods as new scary technology. Can you buy a car without power windows? An automatic transmission? Air-conditioning? There weren’t many 40’ something Dancers built without pods starting late 2000’s. That’s 15 years. Unfortunate Cummins/Merc botched their experiment. Volvo pods are a solid and widespread technology. We aren’t rebuilding carbs and changing spark plugs in our cars anymore either and straight shafts are gone in mid range cruisers.

I’ll take a stab that the proliferation of intense kids sports is what is killing the cruiser market. Families no longer choose to dedicate the weekends to the water/boating lifestyle. Memories are being made…they are just different.

As I read the first posts I was thinking “ Hey, what about Riviera?”. I’m glad a few folks brought them up. We have owned one, have another on order. I think they are the current day version of the 30 year Sea Ray cruiser run. Progressed and evolved.

Now, how to insure I when it arrives…
 
You are certainly right about the kid's sports getting so intense. There is no such thing as an offseason in the vast majority of kid's sports now. And I do think that certainly has hurt the boating market.

But I don't care how you slice it, it costs more (a lot more) to be a boater today than it did 30 years ago... even adjusted for inflation.
 
BeeBoating said:
I have a theory that as we age there is a point that we fix in our minds what things cost. Gas should cost this, a house should cost this, a job should pay that…but that’s not the way things work. time marches on…prices go up…and technology progresses.

In my 20s I looked at those new 330’s and 400’s, had no comprehension of how anyone could afford those boats. In my 30’s I was able to buy those same exact boats because they depreciated and my wages increased.

I don't believe new 40’+ express cruisers were realistically affordable to the mainstream middle class then nor now. We had to wait for asset depreciation/wage appreciation to come to us.

it’s time to stop thinking of pods as new scary technology. Can you buy a car without power windows? An automatic transmission? Air-conditioning? There weren’t many 40’ something Dancers built without pods starting late 2000’s. That’s 15 years. Unfortunate Cummins/Merc botched their experiment. Volvo pods are a solid and widespread technology. We aren’t rebuilding carbs and changing spark plugs in our cars anymore either and straight shafts are gone in mid range cruisers.

I’ll take a stab that the proliferation of intense kids sports is what is killing the cruiser market. Families no longer choose to dedicate the weekends to the water/boating lifestyle. Memories are being made…they are just different.

As I read the first posts I was thinking “ Hey, what about Riviera?”. I’m glad a few folks brought them up. We have owned one, have another on order. I think they are the current day version of the 30 year Sea Ray cruiser run. Progressed and evolved.

Now, how to insure I when it arrives…
Click to expand...

--------------------------------------

GREAT INSIGHT !

I would add that while the march of technology progresses, lifting efficiencies and making products better and actually cheaper overall - (look at flatscreen tvs for example) I believe in a boat, where numerous technologies are combined, some improvements come with a cost increase that is far less than the benefit derived.

BEST !

RWS
 
Nah. Technology doesn’t necessarily mean better. It just means more expensive, harder to maintain, etc. Nothing is easier than the straight shaft drive system. Worked since fire. Why complicate it with something like pods. The move to outboards is interesting though. Don’t have to crawl into an engine room.
 
We were at FLIBS as well. A bit more disappointing this year, especially in the electronics tent. Also I continue to follow Australian boats but there just isn't the price advantage that the current AUD/USD would suggest. But I think we are all still proud of the era of our Sea Ray boats; they are still classy and well built.
At the show the mega yachts are generally not accessible and it was too bloody hot on the Thursday to really enjoy it all. And food at the show? Eat first...
Overall still nice to get away from the Great Lakes weather at FLIBS.
 
BeeBoating said:
I have a theory that as we age there is a point that we fix in our minds what things cost. Gas should cost this, a house should cost this, a job should pay that…but that’s not the way things work. time marches on…prices go up…and technology progresses.

In my 20s I looked at those new 330’s and 400’s, had no comprehension of how anyone could afford those boats. In my 30’s I was able to buy those same exact boats because they depreciated and my wages increased.

I don't believe new 40’+ express cruisers were realistically affordable to the mainstream middle class then nor now. We had to wait for asset depreciation/wage appreciation to come to us.

it’s time to stop thinking of pods as new scary technology. Can you buy a car without power windows? An automatic transmission? Air-conditioning? There weren’t many 40’ something Dancers built without pods starting late 2000’s. That’s 15 years. Unfortunate Cummins/Merc botched their experiment. Volvo pods are a solid and widespread technology. We aren’t rebuilding carbs and changing spark plugs in our cars anymore either and straight shafts are gone in mid range cruisers.

I’ll take a stab that the proliferation of intense kids sports is what is killing the cruiser market. Families no longer choose to dedicate the weekends to the water/boating lifestyle. Memories are being made…they are just different.

As I read the first posts I was thinking “ Hey, what about Riviera?”. I’m glad a few folks brought them up. We have owned one, have another on order. I think they are the current day version of the 30 year Sea Ray cruiser run. Progressed and evolved.

Now, how to insure I when it arrives…
Click to expand...
Hey Matt - I didn't know you had gotten another boat - and what a boat!
Tom
 
Jaws said:
We were at FLIBS as well. A bit more disappointing this year, especially in the electronics tent. Also I continue to follow Australian boats but there just isn't the price advantage that the current AUD/USD would suggest. But I think we are all still proud of the era of our Sea Ray boats; they are still classy and well built.
At the show the mega yachts are generally not accessible and it was too bloody hot on the Thursday to really enjoy it all. And food at the show? Eat first...
Overall still nice to get away from the Great Lakes weather at FLIBS.
Click to expand...
I thought it was the best show in the last three or four years. All of our appointments were met with very knowledgeable representatives; we were completely informed and if they didn't have the answers I got emails to follow up the next day.
The vendor tents were fully occupied but understaffed which was expected in the light of what's going on these days.
 
keokie said:
You are certainly right about the kid's sports getting so intense. There is no such thing as an offseason in the vast majority of kid's sports now. And I do think that certainly has hurt the boating market.

But I don't care how you slice it, it costs more (a lot more) to be a boater today than it did 30 years ago... even adjusted for inflation.
Click to expand...
Sports are killing our boating time right now.

My son plays baseball, and also football. Here’s some of what he does.
  • Football off season workouts start in January.
  • Real practice starts in mid August, with 2-a-days the last 2 weeks. Then the season goes to November.
  • Travel baseball winter workouts start in January. Plus separate school ball too.
  • School baseball starts in March to end of May
  • Then travel ball starts in June, going to August.
  • This year he did fall baseball, and that was September to November. We had no time off.
  • Then there’s my daughters dance (2 types), volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
This year we were in the boat - at least on the dock - more than we have been in some time. That was only because my son was operating the marina’s launch and we had dinner as a family between his runs.
 
b_arrington said:
Sports are killing our boating time right now.

My son plays baseball, and also football. Here’s some of what he does.
  • Football off season workouts start in January.
  • Real practice starts in mid August, with 2-a-days the last 2 weeks. Then the season goes to November.
  • Travel baseball winter workouts start in January. Plus separate school ball too.
  • School baseball starts in March to end of May
  • Then travel ball starts in June, going to August.
  • This year he did fall baseball, and that was September to November. We had no time off.
  • Then there’s my daughters dance (2 types), volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse.
This year we were in the boat - at least on the dock - more than we have been in some time. That was only because my son was operating the marina’s launch and we had dinner as a family between his runs.
Click to expand...
Yep. And in a few short years they’ll be moving out and you’ll have nothing but time for your boat. :)
 
Golfman25 said:
Yep. And in a few short years they’ll be moving out and you’ll have nothing but time for your boat. :)
Click to expand...

I certainly recognized that. But it's the time on the boat with the kids that is so enjoyable. I hope somehow we will find a way to get that time together, on the boat and otherwise.

Life is short.
 
keokie said:
I certainly recognized that. But it's the time on the boat with the kids that is so enjoyable. I hope somehow we will find a way to get that time together, on the boat and otherwise.

Life is short.
Click to expand...
No, I get it. We could always do the few short weeks after baseball season. But at the same time, we have countless memories of weekends spent sitting at the ball field, hotel pools, rained out games, and crazy ass parents. :)
 
Golfman25 said:
Yep. And in a few short years they’ll be moving out and you’ll have nothing but time for your boat. :)
Click to expand...
I took my son to look at some engineering colleges this past weekend. He mentioned that after he graduates, he doesn’t want to live where he grew up on Long Island. Two summers ago we took a family trip and drove around out west and he loved it; he’s mentioned that he would like to move out there. It really stung to think that pretty soon he’s not going to live near us.
 
b_arrington said:
I took my son to look at some engineering colleges this past weekend. He mentioned that after he graduates, he doesn’t want to live where he grew up on Long Island. Two summers ago we took a family trip and drove around out west and he loved it; he’s mentioned that he would like to move out there. It really stung to think that pretty soon he’s not going to live near us.
Click to expand...
Our son doesn’t know that we plan on following him around.
 
ttmott said:
Hey Matt - I didn't know you had gotten another boat - and what a boat!
Tom
Click to expand...

Hey Tom. Nice to hear from you. . I just re-read our last DM and I think I finished with “I bet I’ll be back”

Yep we bought that Riv in 2020. It amazing how much more your wife will enjoy a boat and boating in general when you have her pick the boat.

We were fortunate to sell in May or we would have been wiped out along with all the other boats at Legacy Harbour.

Our new Riviera - our “forever” boat - arrives in June. And while I really liked the pods - this one will have shaft drives. I’m really excited! Well, I’ll be excited once I get insurance and a new home Marina figured out…
 
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