Actually, I think they have been having problems. Didn't Hake Marine acquire them about a year ago as IP was going under? Probably a last ditch effort at survival. I think part of the emphasis of JD's post is that traditional yacht building is not doing so well for lack of innovation and excitement. I would have to agree that the boat builders have to evolve and create markets to stay fresh.That's funny, I wasn't aware that Island Packet was having sales problems.
During the 70s I was into big whitewater kayaking also. our philosophy was "if kayaks were made to carry they would have handles" . ours didn't have handles. Now at 67 I sail with one arm resting on the lifeline, the other somewhere near the tiller, and a nice padded seat to rest my weary butt on. I'll race your sailboat for a wile, but don't be surprised if I vear off course to check out a flock of wood ducks..... No... a high dollar race boat probably isn't in my future plans.Looks like fun. Had a friend 70 plus years young who did that on the rivers of Washington. He would teach the young bucks how to ride the rapids and survive. He said it was no fun unless they were at stage 4PLUS.
Well, that is sad. We all come to the end of our days. Hopefully, on our own terms, but that isn't always the case, sadly.Unfortunately. He died last year from brain cancer. Lived life fully to the end. Went up with him to the river 60 days before he went into the hospital. Carried his kayak for him as the chemo and surgeries had sapped his strength. He took one last ride in the class 3 waters. A sailor his whole life. Lived and loved being on the water. I was fortunate to meet him.
Tell that to my deck coring.And those pesky GRF boats just don't have the common decency to rot away like the old wooden boats.
I think that there is another factor going on here. Median income is not rising. Neo-liberal policies are systematically strangling the middle class and creating wealth inequality for the past 40 years. (The term neo-liberal has nothing to do with liberals, look up the term if you aren't sure what I mean.) So called "middle class" people may not have the disposable income to make 18-25' sailboats a viable market. Due to widening wealth inequality, boats companies are finding that the 50' market is the only market with the disposable income to sustain the market.Those of us of a certain age, remember when this happened in the US. The combination of new "maintenance free" fiberglass technology, high inflation, and high fuel prices, spurred an explosion of small to medium boat builders in the US and Canada: O'Day, Hunter, Pearson, Catalina, Caliber, Cal, Pacific Seacraft, Sabre, Tartan, S2, Islander, San Juan, the list goes on.
Because of high inflation (5+%) the depreciation was offset by inflation. It was not uncommon to sell a used boat for close to the original purchase price.
Eventually the market became saturated, inflation and fuel prices eased, and the Feds instituted a Luxury Tax on boats over $100K, and money got tight for boat builders. The late 80s was a financially disastrous time for the sailboat industry with only a few survivors.
The industry also figured out that the margins in smaller 30' and under boats was small while the margin for larger more expensive boats was large. Production moved towards the larger more expensive boats, leaving those who might be able to afford a new 30 footer in the used boat market.
And those pesky GRF boats just don't have the common decency to rot away like the old wooden boats.
The average Pogo owner is a couple in their 50's. Some a few years younger, some a few older. Very close to the demos here. BTW a Pogo is built to a very high standard, many cross oceans on their initial voyage. And not exactly with a lack of creature comforts.I would be curious to know the demographics of the people buying the "cool, fast boats". I can look around at the buying habits here in the NY metro area and there is certainly no shortage of young, wealthy, adrenaline junky-type folks around here.
The other part of the equation ... are these boats essentially disposable after the initial buyer is through with it? Do racers/performance oriented sailors tend to ride their boats hard and "put away wet"? Will there be a secondary market for these boats or will secondary markets shun them for various reasons, such as lacking comfort, style, durability, etc. If there is no secondary market, how long will the trend last?
Brian, good point. However, the use of the term "neoliberal" is not in common use in everyday language and may well generate a negative response due to being misinterpreted and by those who do not take the time to look up the academic definition. The kind of policies that are neoliberal (in the academic sense) seem to be more associated with libertarian or conservative viewpoints than progressive or liberal (in the current political sense).I think that there is another factor going on here. Median income is not rising. Neo-liberal policies are systematically strangling the middle class and creating wealth inequality for the past 40 years. (The term neo-liberal has nothing to do with liberals, look up the term if you aren't sure what I mean.) So called "middle class" people may not have the disposable income to make 18-25' sailboats a viable market. Due to widening wealth inequality, boats companies are finding that the 50' market is the only market with the disposable income to sustain the market.
My God, that is ugly. Looks like a Motel 6.The average Pogo owner is a couple in their 50's. Some a few years younger, some a few older. Very close to the demos here. BTW a Pogo is built to a very high standard, many cross oceans on their initial voyage. And not exactly with a lack of creature comforts.
Also, while NOT a raceboat it would have had a 2nd fastest handicap on this list Shemandr posted, much faster than the J/111 in 2nd and just slower then the Full on race Open 40 in 1st that it is based on. But sailing into the mid teens by a couple.
http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/14877/WB24ScratchSheet92617.pdf
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I like the conveniently located floor beams to make it easier to trip and fall. On the other hand, they will contain spilled liquids.The average Pogo owner is a couple in their 50's. Some a few years younger, some a few older. Very close to the demos here. BTW a Pogo is built to a very high standard, many cross oceans on their initial voyage. And not exactly with a lack of creature comforts.
Also, while NOT a raceboat it would have had a 2nd fastest handicap on this list Shemandr posted, much faster than the J/111 in 2nd and just slower then the Full on race Open 40 in 1st that it is based on. But sailing into the mid teens by a couple.
http://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/14877/WB24ScratchSheet92617.pdf
View attachment 141448
Of course you are entitled to your opinion. But two things.My God, that is ugly. Looks like a Motel 6.
That is part of the grid structure that gives the boat its strength, while maintaining a low profile. I can tell you from personal experience you learn to step over them the first day aboard, and in 1000's of miles I've never tripped once.I like the conveniently located floor beams to make it easier to trip and fall. On the other hand, they will contain spilled liquids.
No I'm not in the market.Of course you are entitled to your opinion. But two things.
Are you in the market? If you are, then your not liking it carries great weight.
This 'Motel 6' interior is what's inside boats with a multi-year backlog for delivery. So it must be appealing to people that answered 'yes' to the first question.
Not sure if serious, but if I wanted speed,I wouldn't buy a sailboat in the first placeI'm gonna say that IP sails as well as it looks ^
you could save even more money and just lash together some logs into a raft.Not sure if serious, but if I wanted speed,I wouldn't buy a sailboat in the first place
Worked for Huck and Jim.you could save even more money and just lash together some logs into a raft.
I agree, that IP interior looks lovely.No I'm not in the market.
For one thing, I don't have the means.
Even if I was made of money, however, my tastes run to not trying to look ostentatious, and also failing.
If I was made of money, this is the interior I'd want.