Noticeable lack of chatter on new boat purchases this year!

[Tashmoo]

Had I of known that this was coming last year I still think I would have pulled the trigger. We absolutely love our 275 and even with the bad weather we had this summer we still put 150 hours on the engine which mean 200 – 250 + hrs plus on the boat.

Perhaps if the media would get off the doom and gloom band wagon and stop interviewing the "experts" things would get better sooner. Remember these are the same "experts" that had oil going to $200+ a barrel and gas going to $8/gallon less than six months ago. I strikes me funny when one of these clowns makes a statement like gas will go to $8/gal that they are nowhere to be found when it hits $1.50/gal instead.


Remember, the positive here is the Feds are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at this and sooner or later all those $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ are going to do something.

On the bright side here are a couple of photos from Stellwagon Bank this summer to remind us all why we love our boats so much.

 

[armauro]

In process of finalizing deal on 06 282 but I must admit that I do get buyers remorse all the time. Also I dont have a boat to sell so it is easy to buy and dont need financing which doesnt exist. I have a seller who wants out and understands these are not appreciating assets. It is so frustrating talking to brokers etc who talk it up and the prices are from another economy.

 

[Fishtales]

I think we would be seeing $5+ gal gas (maybe not $8) had the global economy not imploded. Supply & demand or the lack of ultimately sets the price and the latter has fallen dramatically. Some of the economies that were literally boiling over have cooled off dramatically. China is struggling with over 50% of all toy makers going out of business.

If or more likely when the world economy starts to stabilize and grow again, we will start to see higher energy prices.
That being said, either being too hot or too cold has downside.

Sure we have lower fuel prices, but the credit crunch, capital market implosion, housing market collapse, days of extremely cheap money being gone coupled with reduced demand and risk of deflation has many running scared and feeling a lot less secure.

Some firms are eliminating entire levels and job functions of their organization to flatten things out to lower their cost structures. Others are eliminating positions or shifting work to become more efficient. Many people are downright scared.

It should be expected that discretionary items like new boats, sports cars like corvettes, harleys and other big ticket fun toys are taking a hit.
The only ones buying (not a bad time if you have the security and cash) are those that are financially secure and flush with liquidity - probabaly not enough to keep things moving in the right direction. I wouldn't sell investments now to buy a new boat at this point, talk about a negative 2fer (sell low and buy a depreciating toy that is quite ill-liquid unless you want to take a bath).

I think things need to settle out for a quarter and then we will know if the new administrations reinvestment program has any legs. Some beleive this will be a "V" a quick turn around due to so much $ being thrown at it. Others think it is likely a "L" and will take much of 09 if not part of 10 to for the turnaround to start. Who knows... I don't think there will be a lot of people running out buying a boat until the dow is over 11K for a sustained period and there is evidence that this has turned. Liquidity and cash are king in this environment.

 

[armauro]

Well Said!