After 18 months of research we are about to take the plunge on a 310. Does anyone have an idea on how to arrive at a fair price with the dealer? Major options include: -Dodger w/bimini -ST60 Speed, depth and wind pod -ST4000 autopilot -Stereo 10CD -HVAC (dealer install) What should I anticipate for delivery lead time? Appreciate any feedback.
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Talk to a bunch of dealers?
Ed, The quoted price will depend a lot on supply & demand in your area. I'd check with a bunch of different dealers and play them against each other. Don't settle for "list".
Ed, The quoted price will depend a lot on supply & demand in your area. I'd check with a bunch of different dealers and play them against each other. Don't settle for "list".
Curious
Ed I am curious as to why you decided on a 310 rather than a 320? We went through a lengthy evaluation process last spring and ended up with a 320. So far we are very pleased with our decision. From a pricing standpoint, there isn't much difference. As far as design, the big difference between the boats is the main salon. That is what swung the decision for us. We like to take advantage of the air conditioning in the peak summer months and the extra room in the salon allows us to lounge or entertain below decks without constantly getting in eachothers way. Just curious. Jeff
Ed I am curious as to why you decided on a 310 rather than a 320? We went through a lengthy evaluation process last spring and ended up with a 320. So far we are very pleased with our decision. From a pricing standpoint, there isn't much difference. As far as design, the big difference between the boats is the main salon. That is what swung the decision for us. We like to take advantage of the air conditioning in the peak summer months and the extra room in the salon allows us to lounge or entertain below decks without constantly getting in eachothers way. Just curious. Jeff
Agree with Tom
In September 2001 I bought a 320 model 2000 year that had not sold yet. Despite the fact that Catalina had a couple of price increases I found one in September 2001 at $89,900 and Massey yachts in Tampa was selling the same boat year 2001 for $105,000. I took the 2000 model and the steep discount! The dealer even sold me a 16,500 Btu A/C system and the Bimini at his cost saving even more $. Since the 310 is a bit newer boat this might be a little tougher to find but worth more than a few calls. One word of caution, Catalina's warranty says the boat must be returned to the dealer for Warranty service so if you find a good deal a distance from where you are located you might want to work that out in advance.
In September 2001 I bought a 320 model 2000 year that had not sold yet. Despite the fact that Catalina had a couple of price increases I found one in September 2001 at $89,900 and Massey yachts in Tampa was selling the same boat year 2001 for $105,000. I took the 2000 model and the steep discount! The dealer even sold me a 16,500 Btu A/C system and the Bimini at his cost saving even more $. Since the 310 is a bit newer boat this might be a little tougher to find but worth more than a few calls. One word of caution, Catalina's warranty says the boat must be returned to the dealer for Warranty service so if you find a good deal a distance from where you are located you might want to work that out in advance.
Dealing
I too bought a C320. Basically, I just didn't like the layout of the 310, but thats a personal decision -- and why manufacturers present a variety of products to their market. I shopped around at the local boat shows to discuss features, options, prices -- and to size up the dealers. There were many on the floor who probably sold used cars .... I eventually found a small local dealership right in the area that I've been sailing in. He was recommended by a friend, and the dealership had an excellent local reputation for fair dealing & service. Personally, the latter point was a bit more important than price to me. I started (like you) with the Catalina list price/option sheet & told him this is what I wanted & to give me a "best deal" price. I also sent the same list to other local area dealers just to see what response I'd get. The local dealer pointed out the "extras" -- transportation from the factory (Catalina prices are FOB the factory), bottom paint, commissioning, and those little extra things I wanted installed (flag halyards on the spreaders, etc.), etc. He gave me a bottom-line delivered price that was more than $11K below factory list FOB the dealer's dock. Since the Newport Boat Show was imminent when I was ordering, he checked to see if there were any factory specials that we could take advantage of (wasn't -- the "show specials" would have cost more). My 2001 (model year) C320, equipped with 2KW radar, GPS, wind instruments, multi-repeater at the Nav Station, dodger, canvas pkg, closed cell cushions, wheel cover, cockpit table, 3-blade prop, autopilot, 135% gennie, shoal keel, delivered at the dock was under $102K. Full equivalent list price for all of that was just under $113K. Better yet, the reduced sale price reduced my 5% MA sales tax burden too. I suppose I could have shaved off even more if I was agressive enough with a broader range of dealers across New England. Of the two others that I asked for quotes from, the best was around $5K off of the list, FOB the dealer's dock. --Ron
I too bought a C320. Basically, I just didn't like the layout of the 310, but thats a personal decision -- and why manufacturers present a variety of products to their market. I shopped around at the local boat shows to discuss features, options, prices -- and to size up the dealers. There were many on the floor who probably sold used cars .... I eventually found a small local dealership right in the area that I've been sailing in. He was recommended by a friend, and the dealership had an excellent local reputation for fair dealing & service. Personally, the latter point was a bit more important than price to me. I started (like you) with the Catalina list price/option sheet & told him this is what I wanted & to give me a "best deal" price. I also sent the same list to other local area dealers just to see what response I'd get. The local dealer pointed out the "extras" -- transportation from the factory (Catalina prices are FOB the factory), bottom paint, commissioning, and those little extra things I wanted installed (flag halyards on the spreaders, etc.), etc. He gave me a bottom-line delivered price that was more than $11K below factory list FOB the dealer's dock. Since the Newport Boat Show was imminent when I was ordering, he checked to see if there were any factory specials that we could take advantage of (wasn't -- the "show specials" would have cost more). My 2001 (model year) C320, equipped with 2KW radar, GPS, wind instruments, multi-repeater at the Nav Station, dodger, canvas pkg, closed cell cushions, wheel cover, cockpit table, 3-blade prop, autopilot, 135% gennie, shoal keel, delivered at the dock was under $102K. Full equivalent list price for all of that was just under $113K. Better yet, the reduced sale price reduced my 5% MA sales tax burden too. I suppose I could have shaved off even more if I was agressive enough with a broader range of dealers across New England. Of the two others that I asked for quotes from, the best was around $5K off of the list, FOB the dealer's dock. --Ron
Curious Jeff Response
I guess the main reason was I will be doing a lot of single handing and I don't like the forward location of the sheet winches on the 320. Room is an issue and we have not totally ruled out the new 350 as a viable alter. Going to a few boat shows at the end of the month and will decide then. Ed
I guess the main reason was I will be doing a lot of single handing and I don't like the forward location of the sheet winches on the 320. Room is an issue and we have not totally ruled out the new 350 as a viable alter. Going to a few boat shows at the end of the month and will decide then. Ed
Ron Reply on 320
Thanks Ron: I hope I achieve something in the range you did! Appreciate the input.
Thanks Ron: I hope I achieve something in the range you did! Appreciate the input.
Be careful with factory options!
Ed: If you purchase a 310 or a 320 or a 350 you'll love the boat. All are a little different and have certain advantages and disadvantages. We chose the 310 because of the BED. We gave up a larger main solon for the BED. We are very glad we did this as we spend almost every weekend from May through October on the boat. Your point about the aft location of the primary winches is valid and does make short handed sailing a little easier. Re pricing, by talking with several dealers you should arrive at a fair price. Where we saved the most money was selectively buying options locally or from Catalina depending on the price and the availability of future service. Local pricing on all electronics was about 50% of the Catalina option price. We bought all Raymarine instruments including ST 60 tri data, wind, 4000+ auto pilot, 320 chartplotter mounted in Navpod housings at the wheel, a JVC stereo - 12 CD - four speakers - 2 under aft rail seats in Navpod housings, and Standard Intrepid with RAM mounted in the stern lazarette. While the local installer was doing the install we also were able to get additional 12 volt outlets and two data ports for the laptop. We have had a few problems over the two years and having a local repair soource has been good. We also had a sunshade made locally that zipped onto the factory dodger because we did not want the mounting hardware that came with the factory bimini. We checked prices on all the options we wanted and bought some from Catalina including the dodger, cruising spinnaker, cockpit cushions, and canvas package. Good luck with your new boat. I know you will love it.
Ed: If you purchase a 310 or a 320 or a 350 you'll love the boat. All are a little different and have certain advantages and disadvantages. We chose the 310 because of the BED. We gave up a larger main solon for the BED. We are very glad we did this as we spend almost every weekend from May through October on the boat. Your point about the aft location of the primary winches is valid and does make short handed sailing a little easier. Re pricing, by talking with several dealers you should arrive at a fair price. Where we saved the most money was selectively buying options locally or from Catalina depending on the price and the availability of future service. Local pricing on all electronics was about 50% of the Catalina option price. We bought all Raymarine instruments including ST 60 tri data, wind, 4000+ auto pilot, 320 chartplotter mounted in Navpod housings at the wheel, a JVC stereo - 12 CD - four speakers - 2 under aft rail seats in Navpod housings, and Standard Intrepid with RAM mounted in the stern lazarette. While the local installer was doing the install we also were able to get additional 12 volt outlets and two data ports for the laptop. We have had a few problems over the two years and having a local repair soource has been good. We also had a sunshade made locally that zipped onto the factory dodger because we did not want the mounting hardware that came with the factory bimini. We checked prices on all the options we wanted and bought some from Catalina including the dodger, cruising spinnaker, cockpit cushions, and canvas package. Good luck with your new boat. I know you will love it.
Attachments
One More Question Bob
Thanks for your advice Bob - it feels good for a novice buyer to get come solid input form someone who has done it. You mentioned passing on the factory bimini. I have heard several references to this - apparently the factory bimini has a permanent mounting, or some other configuration which is an issue. I need the bimini for the hot summers, but would like to lay it back or remove for the those great winter sailing days down here in Texas. Any advice on this one? Thanks again Bob.
Thanks for your advice Bob - it feels good for a novice buyer to get come solid input form someone who has done it. You mentioned passing on the factory bimini. I have heard several references to this - apparently the factory bimini has a permanent mounting, or some other configuration which is an issue. I need the bimini for the hot summers, but would like to lay it back or remove for the those great winter sailing days down here in Texas. Any advice on this one? Thanks again Bob.
Another $0.02
Although I don't have any direct experience with a 310, I have owned a 320 and a 36MKII, so maybe this will be relevant. Both have had a dodger, bimini, and connector. My observations are that if ordering the Catalina bimini, Catalina seems to favor a larger one if you're not ordering the dodger, and a smaller one if you are. The key point is that the larger one has two main support posts - spread out at some distance from each other, which does not lend to easy folding. I've never seen one of the larger ones folded up, and I'm not entirely sure it's possible.(However, the bimini does appear to cover almost the entire cockpit) The smaller one has one main attachment point (per side) to the hull, and allows the unit to fold together easily. This is important, since even though you could take the whole thing off (leaving only two small brackets), I've never seen anyone who did. We tend to have the bimini and connector on during the week, to provide some measure of protection from the elements. (It might stay a tad cleaner, I guess). Anyway, if it's not a scorcher of a day, the bimini is folded up, and under a cover, in about 3 minutes. Well, hope this helps with the decision process. Greg
Although I don't have any direct experience with a 310, I have owned a 320 and a 36MKII, so maybe this will be relevant. Both have had a dodger, bimini, and connector. My observations are that if ordering the Catalina bimini, Catalina seems to favor a larger one if you're not ordering the dodger, and a smaller one if you are. The key point is that the larger one has two main support posts - spread out at some distance from each other, which does not lend to easy folding. I've never seen one of the larger ones folded up, and I'm not entirely sure it's possible.(However, the bimini does appear to cover almost the entire cockpit) The smaller one has one main attachment point (per side) to the hull, and allows the unit to fold together easily. This is important, since even though you could take the whole thing off (leaving only two small brackets), I've never seen anyone who did. We tend to have the bimini and connector on during the week, to provide some measure of protection from the elements. (It might stay a tad cleaner, I guess). Anyway, if it's not a scorcher of a day, the bimini is folded up, and under a cover, in about 3 minutes. Well, hope this helps with the decision process. Greg
Price of C310
I aproached a dealer on the Great Lakes November 2002 at which time he had a new 2001 with a sail away price of $81,500. He signaled that he was anxious to sell.
I aproached a dealer on the Great Lakes November 2002 at which time he had a new 2001 with a sail away price of $81,500. He signaled that he was anxious to sell.
Outfit your new boat on the aftermarket
Regarding Bob of Catawba Island, OH post: I also ordered my boat and boat only from the dealer. Then, after looking around, I bought all the gear from Every Thing Boats For Less (www. everythingboatsforless.com) including the ST4000 MK II, The Standard Horizon Intrepid and RAM Mic, The ST60 Wind Vane System, The Jensen Stereo and speakers.. Let's see what else... Oh yea.. a back up Hand Held VHF and a Garmin hand held GPS12 I think it is. The savings..... Thousands of dollars. I mean compared to what the dealer was going to charge for most of this when I ordered the boat. I had a local electronics company do the install. It still came in a whole lot less.
Regarding Bob of Catawba Island, OH post: I also ordered my boat and boat only from the dealer. Then, after looking around, I bought all the gear from Every Thing Boats For Less (www. everythingboatsforless.com) including the ST4000 MK II, The Standard Horizon Intrepid and RAM Mic, The ST60 Wind Vane System, The Jensen Stereo and speakers.. Let's see what else... Oh yea.. a back up Hand Held VHF and a Garmin hand held GPS12 I think it is. The savings..... Thousands of dollars. I mean compared to what the dealer was going to charge for most of this when I ordered the boat. I had a local electronics company do the install. It still came in a whole lot less.
Get a Broker to work for you
I bought a used boat, then a new boat shortly thereafter. Like in Real Estate, Try to find a good knowledgable broker to act as your agent in obtaining a new sailing yacht. I have found by working with someone who knows what the dealer profits and comissions are, is aware of the real long term value of a particular brand and what the real bottom line is where everyone can walk away happy, brings a tremendous advantage to the table. Fees are usually 1% or in my case paid by the dealer as the broker walked me in the door. It was business he wouldn't of had otherwise. I saved quite a bit of money and learned a lot at the same time. So thanks again Steve....
I bought a used boat, then a new boat shortly thereafter. Like in Real Estate, Try to find a good knowledgable broker to act as your agent in obtaining a new sailing yacht. I have found by working with someone who knows what the dealer profits and comissions are, is aware of the real long term value of a particular brand and what the real bottom line is where everyone can walk away happy, brings a tremendous advantage to the table. Fees are usually 1% or in my case paid by the dealer as the broker walked me in the door. It was business he wouldn't of had otherwise. I saved quite a bit of money and learned a lot at the same time. So thanks again Steve....
What A Great Help
Just wanted thank all of you for the great advice - I am collecting all of this for the big day. Thinking about doing this keeps me exicted and looking forward to the day it drops into the water! Thanks again all!
Just wanted thank all of you for the great advice - I am collecting all of this for the big day. Thinking about doing this keeps me exicted and looking forward to the day it drops into the water! Thanks again all!
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