FishExcutnr wrote:
The worst cases are cash flow from the builder..
many other boating cases in SA are non intentional just teething issues. Often the first boats to come out in a new design have some major issues, oopsy, did not think about that, or, dam that deck is too low. Thing is its to expensive to make experimental models, so when you buy a new model ( one of the first few boats), you take a risk, the builder often offfers you a substancial discount to counter the risk.
BFC wrote:
Totally agree there should be some sort of industry approval / managing body.
But this is a can of worms with many different components.
*) Design
*) Materials
*) Construction Method - recipe of different materials from different suppliers
Most of SA's Powerboats revolve around outboard dealerships and they in return take up some of the slack on warrantee's in conjunction with their boat suppliers
This also doubles up on a selection process ( if dealers stock a certain boat it would have passed a few criteria- or should have).
If we read about bad deals 80% of them are from builders direct ( either in prototype or early production phase) the kreefbakkie / KC520/ Twister 720 spring to mind and the major reason being Cashflow for the builder.
Dealing directly with a builder the deal is negotiated for a un-built boat , with a dealership the deal is negotiated mostly with a completed boat.
Very interresting topic and would like to hear some more views on how such governing body should look in terms of composition ( engineers, designers, material fundi's etc).
Totally agree, the cost of designing and building a boat from scratch is astronomical .
Just to give an idea: My AceCraft project stands as follow,
1) Buying the moulds from Pitts Marine - R10k. + direct transport costs R7k
2) Realizing before building the first old style ACE the moulds has to be upgraded( saved R60k) - building a old boat with limited marketability =drain on cashflow.
3) Upgrading deck plug - R23k ( biggest cost =labour)
4) Deck Mould - R12k
5) Console Plug + Mould - R6k
6) Seat / livewell/ bait station - R6k
7) Gunnel Rod holder cut out mould - R3k
So a R10k mould set has now sucked R67k in total , But believe me its much cheaper doing it right than doing it wrong and this is a mould set of a boat with a very good and proven reputation. Luckily I see this as a hobby project of passion but if my livelyhood depended on it I would have been bunkrupt already , time , detail , carefull planning is the best attributes that can go into a boat.
Designing and building a demo Hull from Scratch can cost as much as R300k and that is a big capital risk to carry, if its as flop you start over. Point being putting a new boat on the market without the neccesary resourses is skating on thin Ice to begin with. see attached is a picture of such a design that is actually a very good boat but just does not work in SA, but very popular in USA ( almost 60 units running around in New England States VT/MA/RI)
Now the marketing side of it is a whole new ball game, dealerships will not touch a boat they feel they cannot make at least 30-40% Markup on. The builder is doing exceptionally well if he makes 10-15% per unit. As bad as it sounds there is no real volume pull to cut corners on margins. Buying direct from the builder will give the consumer +- 20% discount on retail and the builder will be 10% better off than supplying dealerships, the moment this happens dealerships are not that interrested in selling such boats as it exposes their margins - and the vicious sircle continues.
The other danger factor is clients cancelling orders after a build has started and this really makes one , want to reach for a shotgun but the client is always right !!
The SA boat market is a very tough and opinionated market if you can make it in SA you will make it anywhere.:kaykak
