Rather than steal a thread, I wanted to start anew on, quoting matt from another one
]Matt: "The industry has not rebounded. The market is still operating on "new normal" sales numbers that are not quite what things where back in 2008, and we're going on the 10 year anniversary of that."
I don't see the recovery ever coming back. The destruction of the middle class, unbelievable regulations both at manufacture and at the marina, and the financial system has never been the same since Spencer Bachus, former Alabama congressman, allowed the banks to write the federal banking bill around 2004. That was when your credit costs skyrocketed. Add to that the Bush depression that really started in the 2nd quarter of 2007 and boats are just a fantasy for most.
I go to several boat shows a year and they get smaller and smaller each time. The offerings are rarely anything new other than some electronic gizmos. Disposable income is gone in many cases and just the cost of operation and insurance keeps many saving for college instead of a week on the cruiser. I can show you boats that haven't moved in at least 5 years. People just walked away. These are half a million dollar rides and the banks can't sell them to anyone. I guess that is justice the way some see it, but those beautiful yachts just sit. Inside the storage warehouse are another 200 day boats 17-25 feet just abandoned. That is just in one marina down here. For some reason, the banks won't deal much on them like it is January 2008 again.
If you have a boat now, enjoy it while you can. There are many, many, many people in many positions that would eliminate boating just like they are killing red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The new rule is 2 fish per person per day....Length of season for private citizens? 2 days.[/quote]
MY additions:
I agree. Back when I bought the 2452 in 2001 (new), it was optioned out from the factory. MSRP was about 46K. The economy was not that bad, and many "average" people could afford boats. Now, a 24' cruiser equipped to actually cruse, is 80-100K. The salaries have not doubled, so it seams that boat ownership is going back to the wealthy.
Moreover, the RV industry has doubled since 2001,. and average people can afford new travel trailers/smaller motorhomes. Right now, the RV dealership down the road has a 24', tow behind at $18K. It can be towed by almost any full sized pickup of SUV (about 3000# towing weight). Lets compare boating with RVs. In a boat: A lot of maintenance is required, at a lot of $$$ unless you can do it yourself. Refitting worn out stuff required a lot of mechanical knowledge. You have to keep the boat at a marina or dry storage or trailer it. Even with a 24' boat, 2.5 MPG is considered good. And for many people they only use it 3-4 times a year, so the expense is not justified. Moreover, letting a boat sit without use for 3 month will almost guarantee having to b e towed or not leaving the marina.
For an RV, I am talking a smaller one as a first purchase. Most come complete and travel ready. Bring your own dishes, kitchen ware clothes and linens. Towing? My friend gets 10 MPG towing a 25' tow behind. He keeps in in his yard alongside his house. It has a bedroom with a wall and door; 2 TVs, 3 burner stove, microwave, 20 gal holding and water tanks, however at a campsite the water and sewer are connected to municipal. It was about 18K new.
I see full campgrounds near here but almost never a full marina unless of a special event locally.
Back before 2008, we used to go to some spoil islands near Melbourne or near Sebastian Inlet, on 3 day weekends. Used to be a half dozen boats, boat camping. That is bow anchor and stern line to a tree. On the island, maybe 3-4 groups of tent campers with their runabout type boats tied near their campsite. During 2009, we went there on Memorial and labor day weekends. A few small boats daytime, and nighttime. Have not been back there since.
In my opinion, when the gas prices spiked at $4 at the pump, and over $5 at marinas, people did not use their boats, but found some other type of recreation. When the gas prices went back down, the people kept their other recreation.
Just saying....
]Matt: "The industry has not rebounded. The market is still operating on "new normal" sales numbers that are not quite what things where back in 2008, and we're going on the 10 year anniversary of that."
I don't see the recovery ever coming back. The destruction of the middle class, unbelievable regulations both at manufacture and at the marina, and the financial system has never been the same since Spencer Bachus, former Alabama congressman, allowed the banks to write the federal banking bill around 2004. That was when your credit costs skyrocketed. Add to that the Bush depression that really started in the 2nd quarter of 2007 and boats are just a fantasy for most.
I go to several boat shows a year and they get smaller and smaller each time. The offerings are rarely anything new other than some electronic gizmos. Disposable income is gone in many cases and just the cost of operation and insurance keeps many saving for college instead of a week on the cruiser. I can show you boats that haven't moved in at least 5 years. People just walked away. These are half a million dollar rides and the banks can't sell them to anyone. I guess that is justice the way some see it, but those beautiful yachts just sit. Inside the storage warehouse are another 200 day boats 17-25 feet just abandoned. That is just in one marina down here. For some reason, the banks won't deal much on them like it is January 2008 again.
If you have a boat now, enjoy it while you can. There are many, many, many people in many positions that would eliminate boating just like they are killing red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The new rule is 2 fish per person per day....Length of season for private citizens? 2 days.[/quote]
MY additions:
I agree. Back when I bought the 2452 in 2001 (new), it was optioned out from the factory. MSRP was about 46K. The economy was not that bad, and many "average" people could afford boats. Now, a 24' cruiser equipped to actually cruse, is 80-100K. The salaries have not doubled, so it seams that boat ownership is going back to the wealthy.
Moreover, the RV industry has doubled since 2001,. and average people can afford new travel trailers/smaller motorhomes. Right now, the RV dealership down the road has a 24', tow behind at $18K. It can be towed by almost any full sized pickup of SUV (about 3000# towing weight). Lets compare boating with RVs. In a boat: A lot of maintenance is required, at a lot of $$$ unless you can do it yourself. Refitting worn out stuff required a lot of mechanical knowledge. You have to keep the boat at a marina or dry storage or trailer it. Even with a 24' boat, 2.5 MPG is considered good. And for many people they only use it 3-4 times a year, so the expense is not justified. Moreover, letting a boat sit without use for 3 month will almost guarantee having to b e towed or not leaving the marina.
For an RV, I am talking a smaller one as a first purchase. Most come complete and travel ready. Bring your own dishes, kitchen ware clothes and linens. Towing? My friend gets 10 MPG towing a 25' tow behind. He keeps in in his yard alongside his house. It has a bedroom with a wall and door; 2 TVs, 3 burner stove, microwave, 20 gal holding and water tanks, however at a campsite the water and sewer are connected to municipal. It was about 18K new.
I see full campgrounds near here but almost never a full marina unless of a special event locally.
Back before 2008, we used to go to some spoil islands near Melbourne or near Sebastian Inlet, on 3 day weekends. Used to be a half dozen boats, boat camping. That is bow anchor and stern line to a tree. On the island, maybe 3-4 groups of tent campers with their runabout type boats tied near their campsite. During 2009, we went there on Memorial and labor day weekends. A few small boats daytime, and nighttime. Have not been back there since.
In my opinion, when the gas prices spiked at $4 at the pump, and over $5 at marinas, people did not use their boats, but found some other type of recreation. When the gas prices went back down, the people kept their other recreation.
Just saying....
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