Custom and Semi-Custom Boats

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Are custom boats worth it? Longer wait, higher price, resale value, etc.
Lets face it, custom boats are only "custom" to the original purchaser. It's just another off the shelf boat to the second buyer so is it really financially prudent to spend 50% more for "custom" when it loses that value once wet?

There are several boutique yards in South Africa that welcome customization as long as you don't touch the hulls or bulkheads. Many of these are very competitively priced compared to stock boats by major builders but they take awhile to get as these yards only make a few a year. Things like bowling alleys or Jacuzzis might turn off a prospective buyer. Most people that commission a semi custom boat plan on keeping it awhile so maybe the resale is not that big an issue for them. Unless you're a naval architect wit loads of money, semi custom is the way to go.

[kmacdonald]

I guess like someone said, the building process is enjoyable. The original buyer pays for that and can't expect someone else to pay for it at resell time since they didn't have that enjoyment.

[sailorboy1]

So ............ what you going to buy?

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

So ............ what you going to buy?

Depends how good the Covid market is and if anything is left when it's over but one thing is for sure, I'm not letting a good pandemic go to waste.

[Manateeman]

Dear sir. “I’m not letting a good pandemic go to waste.”
Is there, perhaps, another turn of phrase which you might consider ?
A lot of survivors of this virus will suffer long term medical issues.
Surely no one wishes to discuss profit at a time like this.
I’m not your kindergarten teacher, just trust you will clarify.
Mark.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Depends how good the Covid market is and if anything is left when it's over but one thing is for sure, I'm not letting a good pandemic go to waste.

How does this play? Is the pandemic causing a reduction in boat building projects resulting in a shift in supply/demand/price?

[barnakiel]

I would not use the pandemic in my reasoning.


You may be hunting for a deal, but the boatyard may go under. No big deal? Possibly no boat either!


Given the importance of fixed costs and materials in boat building industry, a boatyard may opt to close down rather than "offer deals".


Boats are not China made tee shirts, I am afraid.


barnakiel

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by Manateeman

Dear sir. “I’m not letting a good pandemic go to waste.”
Is there, perhaps, another turn of phrase which you might consider ?
A lot of survivors of this virus will suffer long term medical issues.
Surely no one wishes to discuss profit at a time like this.
I’m not your kindergarten teacher, just trust you will clarify.
Mark.

OK. Scratch pandemic and replace with market.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

How does this play? Is the pandemic causing a reduction in boat building projects resulting in a shift in supply/demand/price?

I think it's increased demand. I don't want to discuss some of the reasons since we are forbidden from doing so.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

I think it's increased demand. I don't want to discuss some of the reasons since we are forbidden from doing so.

Well pm me, i can keep a secret

One of the dangers of the semi/custom custom builders is that they are always 1 boat away from being bankrupt. Just take Shannon and Bob Kitchens boat as an example.

[Fore and Aft]

I like custom boat's, it's nice to have an interior the way you like it and not the way the factory says. Our last yacht is custom, after owning and modifying 4 yachts we decided to go with what we exactly wanted. No complaints so far and this year I even had an offer to buy her. Not that we want to sell, but it just shows that others like what we like.
Cheers

[mako]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

OK. Scratch pandemic and replace with market.

We’re in a weak economy and you should negotiate as hard as you can to take advantage of it. Nothing wrong with that.

[DDabs]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Depends how good the Covid market is and if anything is left when it's over but one thing is for sure, I'm not letting a good pandemic go to waste.

what kind of boat is on your mind?

[barnakiel]

There are custom and semi-custom boats.


And then there are series boats made in two or more versions too.


E.g. many bigger HR boats have optional hard top. etc.


So this customization game thing is not limited to custom boats only.


If I were buying a custom boat, I would disregard what value my customizations have or have not for any future owners. I would only think of what value they have for ME.


barnakiel

[dfelsent]

I’m the fortunate fourth owner of a 48 year old full custom one off.
She was well designed. Well built. PO (third owner) maintained her superbly. First and second owners were very happy with her.
From my point of view the custom was worth it.
There is no factory support and no boat manual. But there are 7 three ring binders of all the bits and pieces. And the design drawings and original scantlings.
So a custom build can have legs. Financial sense is always another story.