- Feb 5, 2009
- 827
- Boat Info
- 560DB
2 x Raymarine e125's
Walker Bay Generations 360 Centre Console w. Yahama 60HP
2 Seadoos
- Engines
- CAT 3406e (C15's) @ 800HP
I think that the concept is great in theory but would suffer in execution. A number of the key issues have already been defined (every job custom, travel, etc.). The other though, is I'm not sure how big the target audience would be - sorry.
Case in point - I would have been an ideal target for such a service, as I've invested more than $100 (much more...) on various upgrades and repairs to bring back to Bristol condition since taking possession of my boat. If such a service existed, it would have made perfect sense for me to buy the boat and send it in immediately for a retrofit. That is, if I were smart enough to know in advance that this would be the way I'd go. I didn't plan to spend this much - I bought a good boat and like each of my boats, convinced myself on purchase that she'd be a good investment as she was in good shape and would last me a while. If I'd known I'd sink in the investment that I did - I would have bought something else. Not many folks go into the purchase thinking that they will invest more bucks heavily. I'm happy now, as I have what I believe to be a boat that is in better condition and more capable than the day she was launched 10+ years ago and in total, for a lot fewer dollars than her original cost. I certainly would not get my investment back on resale, but news flash people...boating is a bad financial investment and if that were the only logic, no one should every buy a boat - especially a new boat. That I think would be pretty common amongst buyers of a new-to-them boat.
For someone who has had their boat for a while, it may also be a tough sell. If I were faced with a substantial retrofit today, I'd probably use it as an intellectual alibis to talk myself into upgrading to a newer boat. Even though the numbers and logic should support the move to retrofit, the visceral potential in upgrading to a newer (or bigger) boat for similar bucks would, I fear, rule the day in most circumstances.
So there you'd be, with a perfectly logical service in a perfectly illogical world...
Paul
Case in point - I would have been an ideal target for such a service, as I've invested more than $100 (much more...) on various upgrades and repairs to bring back to Bristol condition since taking possession of my boat. If such a service existed, it would have made perfect sense for me to buy the boat and send it in immediately for a retrofit. That is, if I were smart enough to know in advance that this would be the way I'd go. I didn't plan to spend this much - I bought a good boat and like each of my boats, convinced myself on purchase that she'd be a good investment as she was in good shape and would last me a while. If I'd known I'd sink in the investment that I did - I would have bought something else. Not many folks go into the purchase thinking that they will invest more bucks heavily. I'm happy now, as I have what I believe to be a boat that is in better condition and more capable than the day she was launched 10+ years ago and in total, for a lot fewer dollars than her original cost. I certainly would not get my investment back on resale, but news flash people...boating is a bad financial investment and if that were the only logic, no one should every buy a boat - especially a new boat. That I think would be pretty common amongst buyers of a new-to-them boat.
For someone who has had their boat for a while, it may also be a tough sell. If I were faced with a substantial retrofit today, I'd probably use it as an intellectual alibis to talk myself into upgrading to a newer boat. Even though the numbers and logic should support the move to retrofit, the visceral potential in upgrading to a newer (or bigger) boat for similar bucks would, I fear, rule the day in most circumstances.
So there you'd be, with a perfectly logical service in a perfectly illogical world...
Paul