Carver Owners Forum

Over the past 10 years I have purchase two brand new jet boats. Sea doo and then a Scarab in 2016. The current dinghy I have was purchased brand new as well. All three were at the boat show so they came with great prices and extended warranties. My current scarab I could sell for more than I paid for it, but we like it.

As for the big boats, all have been previously owned and normally at the 10 year old mark in their long life. At Crates in Keswick we would see the Carvers sold new for 1.2 Million and show up again in 3 years for $600 and they were already ridden hard and put away wet. So hugh savings on the used boat over the new IMHO. I couldn’t afford the depreciation.

Greg

Only new boat I purchased was a 1996 SeaDoo Speedster Twin Rotax Jet Boat. Had to get it new as it was only introduced the year before with a major problem in the 1995 model that was rectified the next year. Paid $12,300 for it and sold it for $4,500 four years later. Haven't bought a new boat since.

Very interesting so far....some points of view from the regulars...will be good to see further from the folk who have bought new and why.......looks like mostly entry level so far.

Our first big boat was only 6 years old when bought, we replaced darn near everything on that boat, it was done when we got it....interestingly enough we saw it for sale a few years back and it looked like the day we sold it in 95 ( same owner ).....

Almost 7 days, over 217 views, 18 votes and 77% for new boats under 29 feet.........

Ya pretty normal IMO. The small more affordable market for the average guy is usually at the top. There's better margins on larger vessel sales though so some manufacturers stick with them only which I think is a mistake. I suspect it'd be better to diversify and capture a bigger market share by manufacturing large and small boats too. That's likely why some manufacturers that do that are still around today. Not everyone wants to pay high marina prices, they also like the portability of smaller boats, great for cottages, etc. etc.

Viper wrote:Qr Bbpost I suspect it'd be better to diversify and capture a bigger market share by manufacturing large and small boats too. That's likely why some manufacturers that do that are still around today.

Which ones make a range of boats in that large of a range ? Our little survey does not have a large sample but does show that any maker of large boats has the used market as it's greatest competitor it seems. .....The race is on....

Sea Ray for example has been doing that for ever. It seems they've toned down the length of their larger offerings but still quite a variety of sizes from runabouts to cabin cruisers. Barring major economic influences, I think that's what's kept them in the game for so long and will likely continue to do so.

I think Sea Ray only goes to 40' now so it seems they are focusing on the end that showed in the little survey here.....hmmmm. Who owns them now ?

Sea Rays biggest offering is a 32 express. This is their lineup. Click on the "our boats" tab. https://www.searay.com/us/en.html

Ya that's within the last couple of years or so and is why I said they've toned down their larger offerings. I think they're up to a 37' right now. I suspect that will change eventually and go larger again. My main point is the diversity of the market they're capturing. They'll likely go larger again but they'll probably still produce the runabouts too.