Boat Turnover Grinds to a Halt

Winslett · Post by **Winslett** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:08 pm

5 years ago in the Southeast, any OC-1 could be found within a couple of months. In a 3 year span, I went from an Ocoee, to a Skeeter, to a Superfly. Granted, the Superfly was a factory blem--"ugly ain't the word for it." All the boats were in good condition, and still had many miles on them. I never paid more than $550 for one of them.

Today, nothing is moving. No new OC-1s have been posted on BoaterTalk in a month; on Cboats it's been about 3 weeks. Just a bunch of WTBs--people begging for cheap boats.

A week ago, someone asked, "How does Esquif do it?" A stagnant used boat market helps. I can't find a used OC-1, and now I'm thinking of taking the plunge and buying a new boat.

Quick thinking of reasons for shortage:

1) Royalex (and other materials) ain't what it used to be. Boats wear out quicker.

2) Royalex (and other materials) is better. You don't have to sell boat that never wears out.

3) Fewer newbies/yuppies buying gear and selling it a year after carrying it home on their Subaru, using it once for a photo op, showing it to their friends, then storing it in the basement.

4) People are worried about their jobs. They sell everything--except the boating gear. Figuring a 6-month severage package, they are going paddling for 5.5 months.

5) Fewer OC-1ers, smaller overall market for boats. Fewer boats in the pipeline equals less boat liquidity (market liquidity, not water liquidity).

6) All the paddlers from 5 years ago have quit paddling. The boat sits in the basement. And they are disconnected from all the people screaming WTB!

7) The few OC-1 makers signed a pact to remove old OC-1s from the rivers. Over the past 3 years, they've removed the 150 boats that were in reasonable condition from the market.

Which, this raises another question. How many OC-1s is enough to make a used market?

My guestimates would be 5 in the Southeast: two aggressive boats and three others. It would take 2 months for that volume to be soaked up. We need 30 used boats a year to come on the market. That would provide a good flow of boats.

cw

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:34 pm

Your number are way off. We have 10 GDI members in Lenoir City alone and I only know of one who only has 1 boat, if you take me out of the mix that leave 9 OC1'ers and on the average I'd say four boats each, two of the nine have boats in Colorussia. If you add Knoxville in the mix the average is bound to go up, heck put Dooley and Charlie in the equation and not countin what they have out wext I know they at least 12 boats at their house. I think because we are all working we just don't want to let any go. The only reason I will sell one of my 37 ( sold one two weeks ago) is to a newbie just gettin into the sport. heck boats are like money cocaine: their are some things you just can't have too much of.

ncdavid · Post by **ncdavid** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:44 pm

I've sold two in the last few months. I'm down to 8. And waiting for L'Edge.

Post by **PAC** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:09 pm

In the past 3 months sold 3 (we're not being paddled and others really wanted them) bought 2 ! But all C1s not OCs!

The economy is impacting things but.... you can never have too many boats and I've been busy on other things. Like outfitting Al's new boats (OC and C).

One thing is for sure... that after our vacation north my wife will not say a word to me about my collection....we stopped in to see Adam and Sarah (and their cute little addition)... got the tour and saw part of Adam's collection! I'm good!

Post by **sbroam** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:14 pm

I think it is like the guns and ammo situation - everyone is afraid that Obama is going to outlaw boats so they are hoarding them!

KNeal · Post by **KNeal** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:25 pm

Winslett wrote:People are worried about their jobs. They sell everything--except the boating gear. Figuring a 6-month severage package, they are going paddling for 5.5 months.

Making lemonade out of lemons!

I think it is like the guns and ammo situation - everyone is afraid that Obama is going to outlaw boats so they are hoarding them!

Well, I'll just say that I haven't sold any my boats because of my obsession. I tried with my c-1 Viper last year, ended up keeping it and buying that Fanatic (2) off of ya, Scott. Oh, wait! That DOES make me like a gun owner!

KNeal

jroneil · Post by **jroneil** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:46 pm

Why sell people don't want to pay what they are worth is small money. Even if you give a real good deal they still want you to let knock them down the price and you have to deal with the people not showing up just a pain in the neck. A friend need a boat to use I loan it to them Most people I know have 8+ boats. They are older are working don't want to deal with the hassle to get 300-400 dollars you get for a boat so they just keep them.

Walsh · Post by **Walsh** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:31 pm

Five years ago, you could still buy a brand new Spanish Fly or Prelude.

As far as I can tell, you just plain can't buy a new rotomolded boats right now, and in light of recent years' Royalex, the old roto boats are looking more and more attractive in terms of durability. People are more hesitant to give up a boat if it's not possible to find a suitable replacement.

I bet a glut of Preludes, Skeeters, and Spanish Flys go on the market when Esquif starts molding the L'Edge.

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:16 pm

I just borrowed a Skeeter from someone who stopped boating for a few years to raise his children and grow his business. He has a half dozen boats in his attic (yaks and canoes) and they're all mint. (he sold boats for a while but his mainline is as a bike shop) He has no intention of selling them at the moment... BUT he did say that he'd be willing to part with a Blue Hole Sequel if someone really wanted to buy it.

(It could be picked up for transport at OCSlalom Nat's here in August <hint>)

No... the Skeeter is not for sale... before you even bother asking... and I already have first dibs on it!!!

jscottl67 · Post by **jscottl67** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:39 pm

I think another factor is that OCers tend to run in groups that paddle together often and they kind of get to know one another. Unlike the bazillion people who try a 'yak and are pretty anonymous, there is more of a community of OCers. I think we talk more at the put in and take out, and when you see other OCers, you generally tend to naturally hook up with them for the trip. Not to mention, we talk on the water more because we aren't constantly rolling

Generally, before someone gives up a boat, they are talking about it with their local paddling buddies for a few weeks/months making up their mind on a new/different boat. And when they do, good chance of a local buddy getting the existing boat. I mean, would you rather post it, haggle over price, and worry about getting the boat half way across the country or have your buddy take it home at the end of a trip. I think boats are moving, they are just moving in the local circles

Just my 1¢ (was 2¢ but taxes got the other half)

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:34 pm

Chris ( OC1King) just called and bought a Skeeter from me a few minutes ago, BTW he has a fully outfitted Nitro with a sissy butt pump in it for sale.

Sir Adam · Post by **Sir Adam** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:50 pm

Having been adding to the "collection" for 10+ years now, things go in cycles. Part of it is economy, part of it is weather related.

I'll also heartily agree with why sell a boat if someone is not willing to pay what it is worth - I have yet to see a used Glass boat sell for more than half of it's new cost. Plastic is almost just as bad, even for "rare" boats like the Wheelboy and Fink. Once folks remember how hard they were to get a hold of in the first place, if they can afford to hang on to it rather than sell cheap they will.

So why are things slower now? I'd guess economy and weather. Lots of water is up, folks are staying closer to home to recreate, and getting back to paddling a bit. Given fear of losing their jobs they may opt to keep their boat rather than resell... unlike a couple of years ago.

Another change is the industry - in terms of new boats and manufacturers, we've passed a peak a few years back. Personally, I think this is a GOOD thing, because it brings the emphasis back to companies that are willing to innovate (like Esquif and Millbrook) rather than just produce one size fits all boats by the thousands.

As to the "collection" PAC - glad I could help:)

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:00 pm

"3) Fewer newbies/yuppies buying gear and selling it a year after carrying it home on their Subaru, using it once for a photo op, showing it to their friends, then storing it in the basement. "

Nope, my boats (6 total) still get hauled around on the Subaru. And not for photo-ops either!!!

D-Caption · Post by **D-Caption** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:24 pm

Hey Louie, From previous post you mentioned having Dagger Ocoees in mint condition that you paddle only on special ocasions. Is there any way you would part with one of them thats not so special with some life still left in it. If you can,t I understand. thanks D-Caption

ckingoc1 · Post by **ckingoc1** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:26 pm

Louie wrote:Chris ( OC1King) just called and bought a Skeeter from me a few minutes ago, BTW he has a fully outfitted Nitro with a sissy butt pump in it for sale.

Well I was planning on putting the sissy butt pump in the Skeeter

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Boat Turnover Grinds to a Halt

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