Respectfully, I think you’re still missing the point. There are boat manufacturers in the US that need to sell new boats to survive. By your own statement, most US buyers have no need to go out and buy a new boat, so if you’re selling to such a small audience what’s the best strategy? 1) Keep selling the same style of boat that’s been made for 30 years, and could be bought used for a fraction of the price; or 2) build something really new that can’t just be bought used?
I'm not missing the point. Either way (modern or classic) it's a niche market.
My point is there is at least as much of a (new boat) market for classic lines in the US as there is for new performance lines and IKEA interiors. Which isn't much, either way.
Or, to put it differently, everybody is equally in trouble.
Or, to put it another way, if Pogo opened up a US factory, it wouldn't have 2 years worth of orders waiting either.
You want to know how to SELL MOAR BOATZ?
Enabling the middle class would go a long way.
Make sailing less, not more, uppity. Less images of old WASPy guys in Commodore hats at the Yacht Club with their $500K yachts that they motor around the harbor a few times per year and more tan and fit young people getting the spray in their faces on something reasonably priced like a Hunter 15 or and RS Aero.
Also, remove the absolutely pervasive attitude that a boat is nothing but a money sink. I hear it all the time, since I'm not living a life of VC or lawyer money and you all have heard the bullshit, too: Break Out Another Thousand; A boat is a hole in the water you pour your money into, the 2 happiest days in a man's life, etc. None of which is true; I have less than $2K total invested in my boat & trailer and I'm happy as a clam.
Educate people that sailing is a sport in and of itself; too many people (at least in my area) equate boat with fishing, period. Typical conversation...
Them:"Oh, you sail."
Me: "Yup."
Them: "What do you do on your boat?"
Me: "Sail."
Them: "Do you fish?"
Me: "No, I sail. I use my skill to harness the wind and challenge my abilities."
Them: "But what do you do once you're out there?"
Me: "ArrrrgghhgghghI'mgoingtoeatyourface."
Again, my point: Sailing has bigger problems than not producing snazzy enough boats.