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View Full Version : Market for new boats???



flybynight55
05-17-2012, 06:29 PM
I have been on the side lines, so to speak, trying to learn as much as i can about boat racing. It is a very exciting sport. I have been in ultralight flying for a long time and it is a very slow pace sport. I find ALL the classes of boat racing have their own "measure of excitement". I can not decide what or which type boat and class i would like to jump into yet. However, i have a question?? Is there a market for "NEW" boats in any or even all classes. I actually bought a few kneel down boats but decided that was not for me. I am mainly asking the question about hydro's, tunnels, and sit-down runabouts (if i may call them that. :). Seems there are always used boats for sale and some of them 20 yrs old or more. Where do new boats come from? I am mostly interested in all composite boats. I love to build things and i know a race boat is not something that is to be taken lightly. I fly rc model airplanes. There are those that like to fly and hate building. Others love to build and rarely fly. I find myself more intrigued with the thought of manufacture than all about racing even though i intend to do some. So again, is there a market for new off the shelf boats in any or even all the classes. I know that is a broad question to ask. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks, Tom

David Mason
05-18-2012, 10:19 AM
The market for new boats is soft at best. It is also a very tough market to break into without having experience and a known name.

For all composite boats, it cost to much to build. In other words, most racers are not willing to pay the true market value for a race boat. Your labor would be essentially free if you charged the average 3K for a kneel down mod or stock boat made form all carbon fiber and such.

I think with the economy in the state it is, and the growth rate of boat racing it would not be profitable to try and get into the market.

On another note, if you want to build for fun, becasue you really want to try it, have at it. Some of the best ideas that current builders use come from experiments.