New Sailboats at Show

[Rick D]

Went to a sailboat show with a friend today in SoCal. My expectations were low, but it was better than I expected and better than the last few years. That it was sail only may have helped.

Anyhow it seemed there were more vendors. That's a real good sign. Brokers said there is less inventory now than any time in the last couple of years and prices are starting to rise in the used market (all of this as to SoCal which took a major economic header and is very slowly turning).

I was disappointed in the current crop of euro boats as to the interior. It seemed like they were changed a lot in the last couple of seasons compared to my friends' boats from the same manufacturers. Some of that was the IKEA minimalist look, some the Formica-like finishes (or plastic veneers in some cases) and the shockingly-white counters. So that's simply taste, but what's up with the salon floors? They sure were wobbly or flexible.

The Hunter e33 and Catalina 44.5 were both impressive boats with interiors that seemed to work well and good finish. BTW, the Hunter dealer rep said the saildrive does not require annual maintenance, so that removes an issue for boaters who don't haul annually. I didn't verify it.

 

[ggrizzard]

Ah Saildrives... So many rocks and coral and such a big cut out in the hull!

 

[Sailboz]

Maybe I missed something, but one thing that no one seems to be talking much about is Hunter's bankruptcy. Luhrs and a bunch of its companies, including Mainship and Hunter filed for bankruptcy early this year. Mainship ceased operations, though Hunter continued in business (hopefully a good sign). Finally, in August, Marlow Industries (I think that's the company name -- I'm going from memory of some articles I read) purchased the companies, including Hunter so they are now "Marlow-Hunter" thought the brand is still "Hunter."

Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention, but I subscribe to various sailing magazines and I went to the boat show in Annapolis earlier this month and didn't really hear a peep about it. Maybe I need to go back and re-read my magazines!!

I know the sky isn't falling, but this is something that could certainly affect things going forward. I wonder what Hunter will look like in the next 3, 4, or 5 years -- or if they'll even still be around. Does anyone have any "inside info" on what's going on in Alachua, FL??? Hmmm ...........

 

[windward54]

Rick and I had about the same reaction to the current line of French boats. I have a Jeanneau, and I really like how they handle. But the interiors on the new boats seem to be a step back. But I could get use to having that dinghy garage that was on the Jeanneau 57DS. If they could take my interior and stick it on this boat, Jeanneau would have a winner.

In addition to the boats and vendors, there was a really good selection of free seminars. I ended up back at the show and attended a handful. I really enjoyed the weather seminar by Lee Chesneau, and the talks on the Pacific Puddle Jump and the Baja HaHa given by Andy Turpin of Latitude38. The seminars alone were worth the price of admission.

 

[Scott B]

Maybe I missed something, but one thing that no one seems to be talking much about is Hunter's bankruptcy. Luhrs and a bunch of its companies, including Mainship and Hunter filed for bankruptcy early this year. Mainship ceased operations, though Hunter continued in business (hopefully a good sign). Finally, in August, Marlow Industries (I think that's the company name -- I'm going from memory of some articles I read) purchased the companies, including Hunter so they are now "Marlow-Hunter" thought the brand is still "Hunter."

Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention, but I subscribe to various sailing magazines and I went to the boat show in Annapolis earlier this month and didn't really hear a peep about it. Maybe I need to go back and re-read my magazines!!

I know the sky isn't falling, but this is something that could certainly affect things going forward. I wonder what Hunter will look like in the next 3, 4, or 5 years -- or if they'll even still be around. Does anyone have any "inside info" on what's going on in Alachua, FL??? Hmmm ...........

Did here http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=140632&#post915432

and here http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=144206&#post946186

Also saw articles and Press releases in some of the mag's.

"Inside info" they are going stronger than before and I understand have hired more people.

 

[ifmdalvey]

Hunter going for chapter 11 removes the old group of responsibilities and whoever forms the new company does not take on old liability. In other words, your Hunter warranty is probably worthless. It happens all the time, same people at the top but try make a claim against them.

 

[Sailm8]

Back on topic. I thought the same thing about the Miami show 2 years ago. Just for fun I looked at big cats. They ran $600000 and up. The fit and finish was very poor. The inside of lockers and closets were raw unfinished fiberglass. For that kind of money I don't want my clothes rubbing on raw fiberglass.

 

[SoSound]

I had a similar reaction in September in Seattle. Came home and started searching around on Yachtworld and subsequently became obsessed with a Beneteau First 36.7. It had some of the 'modern' feel and some of the warmth of my current 1990 (and earlier) interior. No winning lottery tickets lately, so I let it rest until I saw this thread. So I went back and looked at my new boat brochures and at a couple of 36.7 listings...

I'm not so sure on second look that the new boats aren't exactly what I'd like in an upgrade. Yeah, the look is a bit of a surprise initially, but it sure looks like it would be 'livable' for much longer periods of time than our current boat. And the only reasons that I have for thinking about an upgrade is to find something more stable, more comfortable, and more livable in case we decide to venture farther from home and for large chunks of the calendar.

 

[cymeyer]

We enjoyed the show, but only stayed about 2 hours. The best part was the lunch across the river at a nice restaurant.

What surprises me is the size of the boating market here in the Detroit area and the seemingly lack of dealers here.

- Beneteau left town (they said we can drive 3 hours by car to see a dealer in Ohio if we want) so we will never buy another Beneteau.

We enjoyed going on boats we have never seen here on the Great Lakes.