How to beat the system – change your badge

Presentation

Well-Known Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 3, 2006
4,404
Wisconsin - Winnebago Pool chain of lakes
Boat Info
280 Sundancer, Westerbeke MPV generator
Engines
twin 5.0's w/BIII drives
If Sea Ray can rebadge a 330 Sundancer as a 350 Sundancer then add $100,000 to the price, why can’t we?

The question is what should I change my 280 Sundacer to?

At first I figured I’d change it to a 310 since that is what Sea Ray has basically done. The 280 was replaced with the 290, now called the 310.

But why stop there? As long as I’m doing it why not badge my boat as a 320 or 330 or even more?

Let’s work on this together. We can stop this boat depreciation thing.
 
I like how your thinking.. I am going to start calling my boat a 355. This is in my owners manual:
Owner’s Manual
320 Sundancer
International • 355 Sundancer

 
One catch, if SR does it at the factory it's called "marketing", if you do it after purchase its called fraud and you go to jail :(

But hey, I think fair is fair...
 
Remember bigger badge numbers can translate into higher dockage fees
 
Used boat prices are so bad these days it really makes you wonder when everyone is going to wake up to the huge price disparity and ask more for their used boats.

The price of new boats is so much higher than our current models it is absolutely ridiculous. The only folks laughing today are Bayliner owners who watch us Sea Ray owners take it in the chops with depreciation.

Dave
 
Remember bigger badge numbers can translate into higher dockage fees

You make a very valid point.

Maybe a physical badge is the wrong thing.

Driving down then interstate I’m seeing some billboards that are giant screens with advertisements that change.

Maybe I’ll replace the badges with small LCD screens that I can control.

When I’m paying for a slip I’ll change it to a 230. When I’m showing off I’ll change it to a 320.
 
Pres, our 280 is know as a 315 internationally so I thought about ordering 315 badges from Sea Ray. It wouldn't be a lie since the LOA is 31'3" so calling it a 315 would be close to reality.
 
If Sea Ray can rebadge a 330 Sundancer as a 350 Sundancer then add $100,000 to the price, why can’t we?

The question is what should I change my 280 Sundacer to?


You could call it a 29' Tiara.
 
Pres, our 280 is know as a 315 internationally so I thought about ordering 315 badges from Sea Ray. It wouldn't be a lie since the LOA is 31'3" so calling it a 315 would be close to reality.

Rounding it off.

I like how you think.

Rounded to the nearest 50’ mark, we have 50 foot boats.

LOL!
 
Pres, our 280 is know as a 315 internationally so I thought about ordering 315 badges from Sea Ray. It wouldn't be a lie since the LOA is 31'3" so calling it a 315 would be close to reality.

I will add that I would only do this if I planned to keep it for a long time. It would make for a hard sell if you were messing with the name.
 
Used boat prices are so bad these days it really makes you wonder when everyone is going to wake up to the huge price disparity and ask more for their used boats.

I hope it doesn't happen before I purchase my next new-to-me used boat! Keep it quiet Dave. :smt001
 
Used boat prices are so bad these days it really makes you wonder when everyone is going to wake up to the huge price disparity and ask more for their used boats.

The price of new boats is so much higher than our current models it is absolutely ridiculous. The only folks laughing today are Bayliner owners who watch us Sea Ray owners take it in the chops with depreciation.

Dave,

I don't think it's as bad you perceive it to be. I've been in the market for a couple of months looking for a new boat and researching the market to sell mine. The market seems to be picking up rapidly. Look at the anecdotal evidence here on CSR -- it seems like we're getting new members by the handful daily and many others are moving up. Boats seem to be moving in my region which is a good sign.

I think the manufacturers have gotten to a point where they've said "screw it, we've taken a beating and now we're pricing them profitably. We'll produce less at a higher margin." This is good for those of us who are selling because the gap between a late model used boat and a similar new boat is so huge that it makes a high price used boat look attractive by comparison.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Remember bigger badge numbers can translate into higher dockage fees

I know a guy with a solution to that one - Colorform size decals

colorforms.jpg
 
Remember bigger badge numbers can translate into higher dockage fees

That's right. When someone asks the length of my boat the answer depends on who's asking. It's a 340 Sundancer so 34' right? But Sea Ray lists the length with standard platform 35' 11" so nearly 36'. But I added a platform that is 17" longet than the standard one so now I am 37' 6".

So if I am bragging the boat is just over 37" but if I'm paying for something by the foot it shrinks back to 34'.

Amazing! :huh:
 
Dave,

I don't think it's as bad you perceive it to be. I've been in the market for a couple of months looking for a new boat and researching the market to sell mine. The market seems to be picking up rapidly. Look at the anecdotal evidence here on CSR -- it seems like we're getting new members by the handful daily and many others are moving up. Boats seem to be moving in my region which is a good sign.

I think the manufacturers have gotten to a point where they've said "screw it, we've taken a beating and now we're pricing them profitably. We'll produce less at a higher margin." This is good for those of us who are selling because the gap between a late model used boat and a similar new boat is so huge that it makes a high price used boat look attractive by comparison.

Just my 2 cents.

Here on the West Coast prices are still falling and sales have increased only slightly. I would like to buy but the price on mine is falling too and I am just not ready to drop the price to what I would need to to sell it.
 
If I change my 330 to 350 My storage guy will clip me for more cash. What I need is a LED Display to be a 350 at Sale time and a 310 when taking up real estate. Ever changing sizes for ever changing times!
 
Pres,

Way ahead of you. I changed the fender badges on my F250 Powerstroke a few years ago. I now drive an F650..... :)
 
Hey I've got a little boat. Think I'll add 4 foot swim deck and call it a 240. Anchor pulpit makes it a 260. Man, I got a pocket yacht now...:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I may need to get a longer trailer. :lol::lol:
 
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