New boaters-reality/remorse is starting to show

Creekwood

Creekwood

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Apr 26, 2009
5,819
Oakville and Georgian Bay, Ontario
Boat Info
'97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
Engines
2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
Have you noticed there are increasing numbers of posts from new boaters that bought COVID frenzy boats that’s are now realizing that it’s not what they thought?

Seems like a lot of new owners that don’t realize what it’s like to own a boat. Chasing leaks and issues. Mechanical gremlins and no network of OEM dealers with access to parts for all models. Hitting things. Stress of docking. Costs much higher than they thought.

Most of us on here love boats and boating enough to stay with it, warts and all. I wonder how many of the new crowd will bail out and flood the market next year? I think quite a few.

Around our marina it seems like maybe 50/50 of those I talk to are hating it vs catching the fever.

My sister and BIL bought late last year and had some repairs to do. They picked the mechanic from hell for the mentally challenged, and the repairs are endless and not done right. Then they hit a rock on vacation and found some other issues. They are sure in the hating it group now. Not sure they’ll come out of it or sell never to return.
 
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Creekwood said:
Have you noticed there are increasing numbers of posts from new boaters that bought COVID frenzy boats that’s are now realizing that it’s not what they thought?

Seems like a lot of new owners that don’t realize what it’s like to own a boat. Chasing leaks and issues. Mechanical gremlins and no network of OEM dealers with access to parts for all models. Hitting things. Stress of docking. Costs much higher than they thought.

Most of us on here love boats and boating enough to stay with it, warts and all. I wonder how many of the new crowd will bail out and flood the market next year? I think quite a few.

Around. our marina it seems like maybe 50/50 of those I talk to are hating it vs catching the fever.

My sister and BIL bought late last year and had some repairs to do. They picked the mechanic from hell for the mentally challenged, and the repairs are endless and not done right. Then they Hit a rock on vacation and found some other issues. They are sure in the hating it group now. Not sure they’ll come out of it or sell never to return.
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Don’t count me. I’m happy to be a new to me SeaRay owner. I have been looking for the past couple years at sedan bridges and express bridges. It’s been rough finding a local boat as the PNW does not have a large market for these. I was lucky enough to find a 400 sedan from a private seller somewhat local, which came back with a very good mechanical and structural survey. Of course it is still a 2000 so I do have some repairs to work on but this site is great for help. And yes I am one of those posters trying to expand my knowledge.
 
I watch boattrader and various forums. There is a definite increase in 2020-2022 used boats for sale now.
 
Not seeing it around my marina. My dock neighbor just bought a 360 sundancer and put her 340 Sundancer up for sale and it sold within a week. Already off to the new owner. Weekends have traffic jams with boats coming and going. I typically use mine Mondays through Fridays and let the weekend warriors do their thing while I stay at the dock. I did venture out last Saturday morning and there was a lot of boats jockeying around at the entrance to get in, out and to the gas dock. Then once in my canal, I had to sit a bit waiting for rack storage boats to get by before I blocked it backing in. On land, the marina is packed with cars and golf carts tooling around.
 
Brewster…. You mentioned Bugaboo…anybody know what’s up with him?? I was following his post on FB going up the Rideau..and then, nothing…kinda weird.
 
My slip neighbor sold his 2001 340DA and two slip down another neighbor just put his Chapperal 280 up after getting a $2,300 repair bill. Another neighbor 4 slips away is selling his 37 Formula after buying it 2 years ago but they all don’t use their boats very much.
 
Yeah, I can't say I am seeing this, anecdotally or empirically. Would be interesting to survey service shops and get their feedback though.

The service shop at my marina is down to one mechanic. He has nobody to paint bottoms. Is that COVID related? No idea. Honestly if I was a mechanic and/or bottom paint painter and was offered the same or better money do do something else, I'd consider leaving.
 
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Always keep an eye on the local used boats for sale in this area. The number of listings here has definitely risen and they are staying on the market much longer. Asking prices on them haven't come down at all yet and have not noticed any of the same boats coming up for sale. I kind of had the impression that maybe the orders on new boats have just been getting filled and the number of people looking to buy new or even used has fallen.
Have a couple friends that received their new boats in the last few months and had listed their last (first) ones. They both sold quickly but neither had ridiculous price tags on them.
Walking into the 2 local boat shops, their new outboard displays have full selections again. A year ago they were bare with long wait times.
Will be interesting to see how/if that changes much here in the next couple months as the season winds down.
 
I think the bigger issue is so many people decided to just buy a boat and start driving it without any prior knowledge of how to do so. No idea of whats going on and knowing they are always right and have right of way. Then get into a situation and then decide it's not for them or to your point don't understand the work needed to keep a boat in working order. But isn't that the way of things today, I see that in a lot of things today and not just boats.
 
The POs of my boat were COVID buyers I was told, it was their first boat. They put a lot of money into the "pretty stuff", which I appreciate. New upholstery, strataglass, etc. But I am learning they took care of the mechanical "when it broke" because they did not know, and I am guessing nobody took the time to teach/educate them. I don't see this as a COVID thing per se, would have happened anytime they bought their 1st boat.

Luckily, with the exception of my own "at fault" overheating issue the engines are in great shape, and I have one new transmission because they let the prior one overheat ;-)

To me "COVID purchases" is just another example of what stupid people do, make stupid decisions.
 
I think this is just cyclic and really not a new phenomenon.

There will always be new owners of luxury goods like boats and sports cars that do not do their homework before purchasing and get caught off guard with maintenance costs and then fill up the forums with their problems. You really want to say "told you so".

Even when buying a boat I don't think the brokers and sales folks talk about the expense of owning nor do they direct you to their service department to get pricing on common services to keep your possible new purchase running correctly so in some cases the maintenance is deferred until the boat no longer runs. :(
 
Timeflys said:
Brewster…. You mentioned Bugaboo…anybody know what’s up with him?? I was following his post on FB going up the Rideau..and then, nothing…kinda weird.
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He posts new videos on YouTube every week or so. Just bought a 370da this spring. I enjoy his videos, would love to boat in that area one day.
 
Boat traffic on our lake is down by 30 - 40%. I haven't looked at boats for sale, but I don't see the number of 2020 - 2021 pontoons and runabouts as I did the last 2 years on the lake. I will say that when gas goes over $4.00/gallon boat traffic goes down, but not this much. That said, the tourism traffic around Branson has not gone down at all, so people are still traveling.
 
Timeflys said:
Brewster…. You mentioned Bugaboo…anybody know what’s up with him?? I was following his post on FB going up the Rideau..and then, nothing…kinda weird.
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I follow him too. He's kind of local. I expect we'll see a flood of videos about the trip when he gets back and gets things edited. He has a day job running a construction company too so not a full time YouTuber.
 
brewster16 said:
Your brother in law needs to watch Boogaboo on YouTube! :D The best!
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I told him he needs to watch Miami Boat Ramps to learn what not to do. He's pretty good with the backing the trailer, but he does do all of his unpacking and loading the boat with trailer wheels in the water.
 
Little Ducky said:
Even when buying a boat I don't think the brokers and sales folks talk about the expense of owning nor do they direct you to their service department to get pricing on common services to keep your possible new purchase running correctly so in some cases the maintenance is deferred until the boat no longer runs. :(
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A GOOD salesperson would, and I know these folks. They are the ones I refer and return to. Otherwise they could lose the sale once buyers have all the information. Perhaps a lie of omission?

A good example: had I had all the information I now have about my current marina, which they could have easily shared with me, I would not have signed a 12 month non refundable contract.

Boogaboo - did he used to own a 330DA, sounds familiar.
 
My only real regret is not realizing that I was going to be on my own with maintenance on my gas inboards. Next boat will be diesel or outboards
 
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