Thread:

New Boat Purchase - Negotiation Room?

Everything's negotiable. You need to have leverage, like have your method of payment ready to go. Take your time, and be prepared to walk. It's business, it's not personal. You should have a good idea of the market value. The business has to make money, and the more you know, the better you'll be. I've negotiated in situations you wouldn't think you could. It's just business. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by shueman

Just curious...what where your other 8 custome boats...??

Bought, ordered and designed:

RaysonCraft 18' (built from hull up)
SeaRay 24' Sorrento
Crownline 26' LTD
Envision 29' Solaris
Sleekcraft 30' Heritage
Commander (long story...)
Howard Bullets x 2
DCB F-29

Not all "Custom" in this forum's sense but we do make lots of changes and do custom interiors/sound systems on all our boats.

Originally Posted by TOBTEK

take you time, and dont rush into a contract. If you act as though you cant live without it, you might pay more than the next guy. I've been suprised how much you can shave off % wise on these. You probably will be seeing some huge "show specials" this year as well. Most builders are looking for biz more then ever right now. People arent spending money as freely as they did in years past. What have you set your sights on?

I'd rather not say which builder "out loud" here. But, I've gotten the sales pitch of how the prices at the boat show will be more than if I order now (not that I really believe that.) We're looking at a 22' open bow. This is a reputable builder, and except for maybe one or two service department issues, I've never read anything here or on any other forum negative about them. I realize the reviews in the magazines are very likely skewed due to the builders also being advertisers, every review of this builder's boats have been stellar.

Originally Posted by Froggystyle

Ummmm.... yes.

Actually, "hell yes" would be more appropriate.

Tough market out there right now, and the cash is king rule applies across the board.

That said, make sure that you don't beat manufacturers up too badly. Many know how to pull money out of a boat that will first become evident when things start falling apart in a couple of years.

Stainless fasteners are expensive, so are automatic bilge pumps. So is a woodless interior, so are premium gauges, trim gauges, battery switches, "0" gauge battery cable, swedged ends, 40oz carpet instead of 20oz, marine foam in seats, premium electrical connectors, drive showers, nav lights, Adel clamps, dual batteries, billet battery boxes, stainless hinges, GPS speedos, Blue Sea switches, Coast Guard kits, torsion bar trailers, trailer brakes, galavanized tube trailers etc...

The ways to save money while building a boat are almost infinite, and if you beat someone up too badly, you will find many of them down the road.

That said, some of the best deals are on the secondary market right now, with boats that were built for top dollar during boom times with high profit margins, but sold for a song right now to make house payments.

Gotta love that answer from a mfr. No substitute for integrity.

Okay, I concede, your points make sense. I guess I've always heard "go to the boat show, go to the boat show..."

My current boat suffered from the shortcut phenomena. We bought this boat when it was 2-3 years old from the original owner, who gave me receipts for every nut, bolt and quart of oil. A few years later we had engine trouble, so we pulled it and tore it apart. I only know enough to get in trouble, but I was told that a Dooley oil pan, Weiand intake manifold and the type of pistons (don't remember the details) we found inside are not standard issue for Marine Power's 454. Based on the boat only being a few years old when we bought it, and based on the original owner not being a motorhead and keeping detailed records, we think the builder originally put a rebuilt engine in the boat.

Originally Posted by Froggystyle

Ummmm.... yes.

Actually, "hell yes" would be more appropriate.

Tough market out there right now, and the cash is king rule applies across the board.

That said, make sure that you don't beat manufacturers up too badly. Many know how to pull money out of a boat that will first become evident when things start falling apart in a couple of years.

Stainless fasteners are expensive, so are automatic bilge pumps. So is a woodless interior, so are premium gauges, trim gauges, battery switches, "0" gauge battery cable, swedged ends, 40oz carpet instead of 20oz, marine foam in seats, premium electrical connectors, drive showers, nav lights, Adel clamps, dual batteries, billet battery boxes, stainless hinges, GPS speedos, Blue Sea switches, Coast Guard kits, torsion bar trailers, trailer brakes, galavanized tube trailers etc...

The ways to save money while building a boat are almost infinite, and if you beat someone up too badly, you will find many of them down the road.

That said, some of the best deals are on the secondary market right now, with boats that were built for top dollar during boom times with high profit margins, but sold for a song right now to make house payments.

Is this guy not the most honest, forthright builder ever to grace the pages of this or any forum???? Very good contribution to hear the "other side" of the boat biz!!!

Thanks Froggy-dude!

BTW-When & If a deck is in our future...we will be having lunch at the Javelina and going over graphics!!!