Just spitballin' here. What does labor cost in the EU?
Chill out. Not quite. Its an indictment on the builders, who design a boat exactly like the one it sold for 10 years, and then wonder why they sell TWO of the news ones.
EU production costs? More, not less. J-boats race boats do well, but its their performance cruisers that really make the bulk of their business.
Because I cannot afford a new (or used) boat anymore. Point returned.
Wages in the EU are considerably higher than in the US, often with better hours and job security, but taxes are much higher. As their higher education is generally free, it's a much better system than the US, because a new graduate there doesn't start their working life with a massive debt and few prospects.
To be more clear, the reason for this point is that it takes A LOT for someone to buy a new boat, in particular if they are pretty happy with their current one. What would make someone buy a new 35 foot cruiser if they like their current one? A new cabin layout? No. A traveler on an arch? No.
There's always a market for something newer and faster. In this case, size matters when you consider the capital expenditures required to capture a small share of a small share.
Yeah, there's a lot of us in that same boat...no pun intended. I'm afraid a new boat will never be in my future. I'm also doing everything in my power to prove that Sailing is not a rich man's activity/sport. My 39 year old ship, although heavy and tubby is one of the most exhilarating, yet stable, rides I could have imagined under decent breeze. I don't see us racing around three silly marks, when our five hour tours look like this. We work hard for an enjoyable excursion, no need for bragging rights, or faster, or newer, boat here.
For sure. I totally get that. But if we accept that boat builders have to sell new boats to stay in business, someone has to buy them. The trick then is what will get people in the position to buy to do exactly that?
True point. But I’m not sure it applies here. I think that Hunter would die for a new boat with a 2 year order book that they could crank out an example every three weeks.
Perhaps a series of hurricanes that induces replacement of all the second and third tier boats we typically charter in the VI's?
They would only like a 2 year order book if it was a profitable 2 years. At the 250k euro price, I would surmise the Pogos have a design and craftsmanship level production boats don't have the resources to produce. They would have to buy Pogo to get them.
I agree completely, I would love to go on an afternoon 15 knot reach on a Pogo or J100 with a full competant crew and $50,000 worth of sails. But, I also like what I got, my $50,000 boat that me and my girlfriend can take out any Saturday for great sunset sail and enter the occasional casual race. And still look forward to retiring with the same lifestyle that includes lots of travel and spoiling grandkids.
