New Boat Company announment Friday

[Megastink]

Just read on the Bass Blaster that tomorrow (Friday), there will be a new boat company making themselves known. Word is several former Ranger executives and Forest Wood’s grandson are heading it up. With JM buying up almost all the big brands, the bass boat industry needs some new blood in the form of brands. Look at what Phoenix has done, Falcon is on the rise, and I heard Cobra is trying to make a comeback with the old Champion 210 Hull.

 

Let us pray that they offer at least one value-minded option. The price of boats is absolutely ridiculous.

[slonezp]

29 minutes ago, Megastink said:

Let us pray that they offer at least one value-minded option. The price of boats is absolutely ridiculous.

Heard the rumors as well. The big V6 motors aren't cheap and are 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of the boats. I think if the other manufacturers could do a moderately equipped, quality built glass 18ft boat with a 150 for under the $30k they would give Nitro a run for the money. Is it feasible? Not sure. No other company has the buying power that Johnny has to keep costs low. Johnny has already implemented his power. He's installing Tracker parts in Ranger tins (proof on another forum) 

 

As far as the term value, it has different meanings to different people. Value might mean "the least expensive" it might mean "the best bang for the buck" and it might mean "pay more up front for quality and less on the back end for repairs" Our interpretations of the word should be relative to the purchase at hand. A guy who buys a $25k boat shouldn't expect the same quality and features that a $60k boat has Just like a guy who buys a Chevy shouldn't expect the same quality and features of a Lambo. Therein lies the problem because the fishing industry has done an incredible job marketing to our desires to become better fishermen. Therein lies the "excessive" costs. A fishing boat should be viewed at as a tool or a platform to catch fish rather than a tool to improve ones deficiencies. Some tools are better platforms than others and the platforms are all relative to the way we fish and the waters we fish. Fishing out of a $90k Ranger doesn't make us a better fishermen than a $25k Z17, just as driving a $250k Lambo doesn't make us a better driver than a $25 Chevy   

[Fishing Rhino]

59 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Heard the rumors as well. The big V6 motors aren't cheap and are 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of the boats. I think if the other manufacturers could do a moderately equipped, quality built glass 18ft boat with a 150 for under the $30k they would give Nitro a run for the money. Is it feasible? Not sure. No other company has the buying power that Johnny has to keep costs low. Johnny has already implemented his power. He's installing Tracker parts in Ranger tins (proof on another forum) 

 

As far as the term value, it has different meanings to different people. Value might mean "the least expensive" it might mean "the best bang for the buck" and it might mean "pay more up front for quality and less on the back end for repairs" Our interpretations of the word should be relative to the purchase at hand. A guy who buys a $25k boat shouldn't expect the same quality and features that a $60k boat has Just like a guy who buys a Chevy shouldn't expect the same quality and features of a Lambo. Therein lies the problem because the fishing industry has done an incredible job marketing to our desires to become better fishermen. Therein lies the "excessive" costs. A fishing boat should be viewed at as a tool or a platform to catch fish rather than a tool to improve ones deficiencies. Some tools are better platforms than others and the platforms are all relative to the way we fish and the waters we fish. Fishing out of a $90k Ranger doesn't make us a better fishermen than a $25k Z17, just as driving a $250k Lambo doesn't make us a better driver than a $25 Chevy   

I'm just guessing here, but I'd say that most of the repairs and maintenance costs are for the engine, not the boat.  If that's the case, Rangers will have the same problems as Nitros when it comes to the big expenses.  I've had two Nitros in the past 8 years and not a problem with either regarding the hull and its hardware, wiring, etc.

 

The expenses have been winterizing, and an oil pump that had to be replaced.  Fortunately the motor was still under warranty or it would have cost me north of 400 dollars to replace it.

 

No doubt Ranger is a nicer and better boat, but when all is said and done, the motor will eat up the biggest portion of repair or maintenance dollars whether it's on a Nitro or a Ranger.

[flyfisher]

Kind of surprised there isn't a no compete clause to prevent this from happening this quickly.

[slonezp]

45 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Kind of surprised there isn't a no compete clause to prevent this from happening this quickly.

From what I understand, There was and it has expired.

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Fishing Rhino said:

I'm just guessing here, but I'd say that most of the repairs and maintenance costs are for the engine, not the boat. 

I'd agree with you for the first 5 years or so but after that I think we also need to take into consideration the quality and longevity of the boats components. Latches, hinges, pumps, switches, carpet, seating, cover material, steering components, trailer and trailer components. The other side of this coin is maintaining even mediocre quality components can greatly extend the life. Most guys don't do this and then are ticked when stuff breaks. I'm not knocking Nitro just using them for comparisons sake since they have a reputation with "value minded" individuals. In addition, I believe your opinion may be skewed a bit due to your background as a commercial fisherman.  I imagine you're a bit more maintenance minded then the Average Joe boat owner.

[Further North]

4 hours ago, Megastink said:

Let us pray that they offer at least one value-minded option. The price of boats is absolutely ridiculous.

Agree...that there are recreational fishing boats that sell for more than $100,000 floors me.

 

No judgement about folks that buy them, it is what it is...but Holy Cow...

[Ben Miller]

Ha!  This is all good to read.  I've had tons of boats, but my first taught me value.  Value for me is how long I can use it, keep it, and then sell it for what I bought it for.  I lost my _ss on my first boat, now I buy better and always cash out before I break even.  Boston Whaler has always been a good one for me and now I am hoping the War Eagle will be too!

 

[NHBull]

You can't tell the cost of something until the accounting period is over and in many cases a more expensive boat sold 10 yrs later yield a greater return.  Lund proves this point.  Given that a motor can account for more than 1/3 of the of the price, this percentage should stay the same, but is often overlooked based on the reputation of the boat.  This is also true with pontoons.  The only difference is that fisherman think they can buy their way to proficiency and experience.

[RenegadeBassin]

I didn't join this forum until after I bought my Lund but one of the biggest things I've learned from it is I'm really freaking glad I bought a Lund 

[12poundbass]

There better be something very cutting edge with this company/boat to keep this company afloat (pun very much intended, sorry). 

 

I don't remember who it was who posted bass boat sales the other day but I was absolutely floored how few are sold each year. I don't see how a new company with such a limited market make it today if they aren't holding a trump card. 

 

On the other hand I could see all these people who despise Mr. Morris for whatever reason buying these boats to spite him. 

 

As far as the price goes on these boats it's absolutely out of control! But the consumer is mostly to blame. Kind of piggy backing on what @slonezp was saying, it's the consumer who needs all these add-ons. They need 10k in electronics, 7k in shallow water anchors which now include 15' talons, 4k on a TM, 2k on a Ridged ins. Light kit, we could go on and on. Simple economics if people are going to pay for the high prices then why not sell them at the high prices? 

 

I have no problem with people having a 80-100k boat and the shallow water anchors, 15" fish finders. All of these are luxury items and you've obviously worked hard to be able to afford those luxuries and I salute you. Bottom line if people didn't buy at a high price the price wouldn't be so high. 

 

 

[Logan S]

I'm interested to see what this new company is like also, specifically to see of it's a completely new boat/design or a remake/revamp of an existing hull.  

14 hours ago, Megastink said:

I heard Cobra is trying to make a comeback with the old Champion 210 Hull.

FYI, Charger is making and selling the Champ 210 and 198 currently, seems to be small production/sales though.  

8 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I don't remember who it was who posted bass boat sales the other day but I was absolutely floored how few are sold each year. I don't see how a new company with such a limited market make it today if they aren't holding a trump card. 

It was me , not my data though...I read it on another forum.  

[12poundbass]

32 minutes ago, Logan S said:

I'm interested to see what this new company is like also, specifically to see of it's a completely new boat/design or a remake/revamp of an existing hull.  

FYI, Charger is making and selling the Champ 210 and 198 currently, seems to be small production/sales though.  

It was me , not my data though...I read it on another forum.  

You da man! Crazy though less than 10,000 boats bass boats sold in the U.S. ? 

[Logan S]

Yea, much less than I would have thought.  I read a related article recently that stated the bassboat market in the 80s was much bigger, like 50,000 per year.  Crazy to think it's so much lower now.  I think that these days you can make an older boat do the same things a newer one can by adding/upgrading electronics, poles, etc.  If the hull/motor are still functional, you can save $50k buy adding modern accessories to your older rig...

[Hez]

9 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

You da man! Crazy though less than 10,000 boats bass boats sold in the U.S. ? 

Keep in mind...IF those are official numbers - they were taken in March- 9 months ago...and only 1/4 into 2017

[Logan S]

1 minute ago, Hez said:

Keep in mind...IF those are official numbers - they were taken in March- 9 months ago...and only 1/4 into 2017

It is old, but its 12 months rolling so it's a full year of sales...It also has the 2016 and 2015 numbers for the same 1-year period.  I'm sure its not exact but I have no reason to think it's not accurate enough for a general idea of the annual sales figures.  

[Hez]

17 minutes ago, Logan S said:

It is old, but its 12 months rolling so it's a full year of sales..

Oh ok, didn't catch that 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Craigslist is full of "please take my payment for the rest of your life" adds on boats people thought they wanted and could afford. Ridiculous imo, I'll stick to used myself. 

[rangerjockey]

2 hours ago, Logan S said:

I'm interested to see what this new company is like also, specifically to see of it's a completely new boat/design or a remake/revamp of an existing hull.  

FYI, Charger is making and selling the Champ 210 and 198 currently, seems to be small production/sales though.  

It was me , not my data though...I read it on another forum.  

The Charger/Champ 210 has sold great , just as awesome boat. The 198 has not been released yet but it's in the works. Hopefully it will be available for the boat show season.

[Tim Kelly]

I think Backtroller boats have proven it's possible to produce a glass boat with quality components for reasonable money. Around £25k for a 17ft tiller with a 75 on the back. I'm sure a similar philosophy could be applied to bass boats. Whether the market is actually asking for a well built simplified bass boat may be another issue, but I imagine it would sell. 

[Hez]

http://vexusboats.com/

 

[J Francho]

I feel like these are going to be expensive....

[12poundbass]

Hmmmm. As @J Francho knows I'm no businessman lol.....wouldn't you at least have a model to show or prototype when you have a launch like this? These guys are big wigs from Ranger so obviously they know what they're doing but I for one am pretty bummed and left scratching my head because there is to see is words for now. 

[Tim Kelly]

Hype. It's the new black. No doubt there will be irritating videos released like Daiwa do. 

[J Francho]

5 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

These guys are big wigs from Ranger

 

Right, so the boats will be heavy and slow?