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Subject: TWL: Re:: Purchasing new( production) boats
From: Arild Jensen (elnav@XXX.XXX)
Date: Fri Dec 21 2001 - 14:18:14 EST
Patrick wrote:
>There are a number of good, reputable builders out there. I suggest that
>before anyone purchase a boat, either a new or used, they check with the
>owners group for satisfied customers.
REPLY
I would like to endorse Patricks statement. After having said my piece
about "production" boats and seeing it posted on the list I realized
that people might see my perspective as being totally negative on new
boats.
We have all heard about Monday cars and the urban folklore that a car
built on a wednesday is likely to be the least likely to have assembly
faults. Perhaps there is some truth to this given the conditions found
on a typical assembly line.
And yes the same conditions may exist on a boat builder's assembly line
where the builder makes many copies of the same model.
This is where the dealership plays an important part. The dealership
staff is responsible for doing the final checkout prior to delivering the
boat to the first customer. To a large extent, the personal integrity of
the dealer and his/her staff of technicians becomes the most important
part of the whole process.
Secondly, a small builder who produces a limited number of boats, but who
has a staff of concientious tradespeople and technicians will often
put more effort into the assembly and eliminate any problems before
the boat leaves the factory.
A large builder like Carver and Bayliner has to work in a different
manner in order to keep production going.
Custom boats is a whole different issue. Sometimes the design is stock
and only the accessory and interior finish is unique to the customer
requirements. At other times the whole hull design and equipment
selection is breaking new ground.
Builders like Nordhavn fit somewhre in the middle. They are not a mass
produced boat, but they build enough of each model to have learn't
what does and does not work. Their ( relatively ) low number of boats
means the production is more like a custom build than a cookie cutter
operation you find in a runabout builders shop.
The dealership I worked for acquired a repuation for quality service and
followup. Not only did the company survive over three generations of
family run business but often tthe customer base extended over several
generations.
People kept coming back to buy yet another boat because they felt they
did get good service even if there was things wrong with the boat as
deliverd from the factory. The point being the dealer set things right
as part of the delivery process.
While not perfect they consistently did this better than the other dealers.
Something to consider when contemplating the purchase of a new
production boat.
Maybe the closest dealer does offer a lower price, but if that means
less care in assembling and sea trialing the vessel before handing it
over to you as a complete; ready to sail away boat; then the savings may
be poor economy.
So check out the reputation of the dealers with past customers befoer
you commit to placing an order with any specific dealer.
Owners associations is an excellent way to find out who bought from
which dealer.
Arild Jensen
The Electronic Navigator
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