Boating Packages and Choice?

[Aigutso]

So your looking for a new boat package; Youve done your research and narrowed down your choices to a brand or two BUT!

1: Your choice of boat is available near you BUT the dealer only sells a motor you don't want or arent comfortable with, ie you want a Yammie or a Suz etc but that boat you want only comes with an Etec.. etc ( examples only guys, not an Etec vs the world debate;D)
2: What you do, the dealer is close by, has the boat but not the motor, has hummingbird not furuno etc?

I know its all a compromise but where do you draw the line? distance, service,delivery times/ electronic brand, motor brand/ dealer reputation/trailer etc..

Its all about choice and compromise but today its all about package deals,
How much are you prepared to compromise on a package, whats the first thing to compromise? Service/Hull/Motor/Electronics/Location?

I know all purchases are compromises but how far are you prepared to go, gotta have a HH but only dealer option in your area has them but with a motor and electronics you dont want and will never really be happy with? Walk away time and seek a similar hull with what you want? Go Interstate, get what you want and sort out motor servicing?

It just seems that boat packaging is getting is getting tighter and more exclusive all the time and choice is getting less. A one stop shop is great in a sense but it seems its more about "this is what it comes with" ( as the dealer has cut their deal)

Is it better to just get a hull and spec it up? Might cost you more but you get exactly what you want... especially as a boat is a big ticket item

mike

[tunaticer]

I would get what i preferred either from one dealer willing to assemble your preferences in a package or I would do it myself. Nothing worse than forking out a sheepsload of money for things that are not to your preferences. I know it leaves me with a feeling like giving your credit card to the missus and saying have a good weekend.

Jack.

[PinHead]

what is going on here..your three years is not up yet.

[bigtez]

I would be going with a dealership that offers the type of boat I want, the "type" of motor I want and the best service to back it up. Most hull manufacturers have a boat to suit most peoples needs, most dealerships can offer a 4 stroke or an "etec" or traditional 2 stroke and the engines are all of similar quality. So for me it would come down to service and price.

Having said that, my next boat will come from the factory that will build a hull to my specifications/layout, my next motor will come from the dealer that can off me the best deal, and the electronics will be purely personal taste. I dare say none of them will come from the same place.

Terry

[Flex]

Always always always get the boat you are happy with. dont compromise, get the hull and outboard you want and you'll be a happy man.

Nothing worse than getting somthing your not 100% happy with, you'll end up brooding over it.

[kingtin]

Stacer seem to be offering a fair choice of engines with their packages. I've always dealt with Northside and they have been flexible with the package. What I don't understand is a 30 K + boat coming with a couple of hundred buck sounder but I said I didn't want it, and that wasn't a problem. I'm just amazed that Stacer have packaged a cheapie sounder, with a decent rig and not provided an option on sounders.

Nothing I've asked of my dealer has ever been too much and I'm surprised at how in the past, some folk have slagged 'em off. I guess it's about how you approach each other as individuals.

Ready made packages seem to be what the public want though, otherwise the dealers wouldn't be offering 'em.

kev

[peterbo3]

Stacer seem to be offering a fair choice of engines with their packages. I've always dealt with Northside and they have been flexible with the package. What I don't understand is a 30 K + boat coming with a couple of hundred buck sounder but I said I didn't want it, and that wasn't a problem. I'm just amazed that Stacer have packaged a cheapie sounder, with a decent rig and not provided an option on sounders.

Nothing I've asked of my dealer has ever been too much and I'm surprised at how in the past, some folk have slagged 'em off. I guess it's about how you approach each other as individuals.

Ready made packages seem to be what the public want though, otherwise the dealers wouldn't be offering 'em.

kev

I think the packages are what the DEALERS want. ;D ;D ;D Give the customer his boat today & get him out of the yard. ::) ::) He might look elsewhere otherwise. I would suspect that the money might be talking here.
And there seems to have been a number of stories posted here regarding new boats fitted with the bare minimum HP being offered for sale

[kingtin]

I think the packages are what the DEALERS want. ;D ;D ;D Give the customer his boat today & get him out of the yard. ::) ::) He might look elsewhere otherwise. I would suspect that the money might be talking here.
And there seems to have been a number of stories posted here regarding new boats fitted with the bare minimum HP being offered for sale

Yeah but Peter, isn't that supply and demand?...........customers either scrimping on hp (money) , or not being clued up as to what they really want? Any business worth it's salt would soon go under if they were selling something that the public didn't want.

Die hard fishos/boaties such as frequent this site and know how to marry an engine to a boat, aren't necessarily the mainstay of the boating industry and may in fact be a minority. The lower power units are offered to suit a budget and if the punter buys something that suits his budget, and not necessarily his needs, is that the fault of the seller? I've always been offered a higher powered unit by my dealer and stacers latest package offers a choice of 5 engines.

There was some research a few years back in the UK that stated that 30% of boat buyers re-bought within 2 yrs because they realised that they hadn't bought what they should have and (I think it was) 18% packed in altogether within a year because they were disillusioned with the "dream" of owning a boat due to bad weather, incorrect purchase, ongoing cost etc. From that research it would seem that the boat buying public are a very diverse group who "romanticise boating as opposed to facing the realities of it, and as the saying goes.........."you can please some of the people etc"

I think that there's only so much the dealerships can offer without filling their yards up with such a range of diverse packages that would tie up their capital. As Mike's opening post asks........" Is it better to just get a hull and spec it up?"

I could've driven away with a package yesterday, but as it was married to a 2 stroke and the wrong colour, I'll wait 8 weeks to get what I want, whereas some folk are that hyped up (especially 1st time buyers) that they'd take anything, especially with a public holiday approaching. Some folk want instant satisfaction, and though it might feel good driving away from a boat dealership with a new rig after only enquiring an hour previously, the realities are that easy solutions/instant gratification are often the wrong choice and unfortunately, that is how many people shop for leisure items. Mike's got his eye on the ball with his post, but that doesn't automatically mean that dealerships are to blame.

The choice is with the buying public and they should not be like me and dispose of a rig that suited my needs in order to purchase one that I thought may better suit, but in the end turned out to be nothing but a handicap that I chucked money at. My current purchase will be my last and it's taken me 8 rigs to get what I hope will meet my needs. If I'm wrong this time, I'll jack it in altogether ::) because the choice has been mine, and not the dealerships. I think that it is symptomatic of our society in so many ways, that when we make mistakes, we don't accept the responsibility, and the buying of boats, cars etc is no exception. If the package doesn't suit, then don't buy it, and if I allow myself to be pressurised into buying, due to salesman's spiel, or lack of choice, is that really the industry's fault, or mine?

kev

[peterbo3]

Kev,
I agree totally. But I also think some dealers are targeting those with less boating experience with the BMT deals. Mike is on the money about doing up your own package but for many, time constraints & knowing what you need rule that option out. BTW, have you disposed of the Whittley?

[CreelReaper]

Guys,
All good arguments for and against....its like everything else in life. There is the good, the bad and the ugly. Aigutso you certainly seem to know what you want in the way of a setup. If you have the time go and reccie it all individually. I recently did this with my new rig (4m Bluefin Outlaw on trailer with 30hp Yammie). Ended up saving around $3000 - $4000. I managed to buy a couple of extra rods and reels, sounder, safety gear etc for the saving and still came out on top. Sure it took me a month to get it all but once again I am still way in front.

Kingtin....I agree with you 100%

[kingtin]

Kev,
I agree totally. But I also think some dealers are targeting those with less boating experience with the BMT deals. Mike is on the money about doing up your own package but for many, time constraints & knowing what you need rule that option out. BTW, have you disposed of the Whittley?

Yeah Peter, and the tinny, although no money has yet changed hands on the Whittley.......a hand shake is good enough for me.........I priced it to sell so they were queing up :-)

All the family bar me get sea sick and it only happened in the Whittley. They were never sick in kingtin as it was more stable at rest. That's what you get when you trade off a good ride for stability at anchor, or vice versa. The Stacer 519 Nomad gives me the deck space back (it's actually 5.4 x 2.33) and will be easier for me to handle on my own if they don't want to come any time. I'm getting the 90 4 stroke merc as the deckie also wants to ski so this is my last crack at getting one that suits us all ::)

I agree with you too. Some dealers may just target those with less experience. I suppose it makes for an easier sell, although I'm not sure just how much say they have in the actual packages. Whenever I've been researching and seen sales blurb, it always seems to come from the manufacturers as opposed to the dealerships. I'm guessing it's them we should be having a go at, as opposed to the actual boat yards. eg the safety packages.........they make out they're giving you the big deal when really??............whats a few brick PFD's, a v sheet, mirror etc worth? If they're selling a rig pushing 5.5 metres and recommended for offshore and bay work, wouldn't you think there'd be an epirb in the package..........and to have a compass as an "optional extra"??? The mind boggles!

From some of the stories I've read here over the years though, I consider myself blessed to have such a good relationship with my local dealer. Nothing has ever been too much for them. I sold the Whittley privately as opposed to them selling it for a brokers fee, and yet when the trailer failed the roadworthy on an electrical fault, (after I'd sold) they had it repaired for me within a few hours.

kev

[PinHead]

some interesting comments on this thread..I bought mine basically as it stood in the yard..18 1/2' hull with 150 hp 2 stroke..not interested in etec or 4 stroke..for the distances I will be travelling any fuel savings won't bother me. All I did was tell them I wanted a targa rocket launcher and the gps/sounder combo I wanted. I am one of those impatient people..I want it yesterday. I got messed around by another dealer on the timing of the boat I had ordered so I got my deposit back and went elsewhere. The other item is not the dealers' fault but the ridiculous wait some manufacturers are stating..absolutely ludicrous. It is only an inexpensive boat as are many in that range, so I wonder why dealers are not carrying more stock in that size range.

[kingtin]

It is only an inexpensive boat as are many in that range, so I wonder why dealers are not carrying more stock in that size range.

I think many businesses are getting the jitters atm, not knowing which way consumer spending will go and afeared of tying up capital. I bought a heap of sterling yesterday ready for the holiday which is still 3 months away. The dollar is so good against the pound that the bubble must burst sooner or later so I grabbed at it while I can..........nobody seems to know which way things will go with the credit squeeze.

But you're right Greg, I thought it was just me looking too hard, but it does seem that there isn't a great deal of stock around atm? I was expecting a bit of a large market with the weather, cost of petrol, interest rates etc. It seems the opposite is true...........there isn't a great deal of used boats on offer (in the yards) and there also seems less new, despite me being told that the market is still good.

kev

[PinHead]

Kev..mine was only 66k..and not many dealers seem to have boats in FG in that range or bigger in stock...all seem to have loads of smaller tinnies to make the place look stocked.

[kingtin]

Kev..mine was only 66k..and not many dealers seem to have boats in FG in that range or bigger in stock...all seem to have loads of smaller tinnies to make the place look stocked.

Perhaps that's them getting jittery. They think that the bottom may fall out of the market for "mid-range" boats. I was reading that if a recession does hit..........it won't be the workers or the top of the ladder that gets knocked this time.........it'll be the middle classes..........the worker will always want his (affordable) "bread and butter tinny and Mr Riviera with plenty of loot, will always be in the market, but the middle bracket will have to tighten their belt and forget about luxuries 'cause they have more of their income tied up in a mortgage.

kev