Power Boating Going the way of the Dinosaurs?

In most people's minds there is little doubt that we are all being taken for a ride when it comes to retail fuel prices at the pump. In the 7 years since importing my boat, I have watched the petrol prices grow from $1.05 - $1.10 up to $1.70 for premium unleaded petrol. In other words, the cost to run mt boat has increased nearly 60% in that time.

If you add to the increased costs associated with marine insurance for your boat (also going up) and perhaps storage fees at your marina, things are not so rosy. Increasing operational and maintenance costs for boats mean that boat owners start to use their vessels less and less as those costs rise. Naturally, there are price brackets which dictate what market segments can afford to own and run their boats. As costs rise, a number of brackets are eliminated, as boating is no longer viable for them.

The downturn in economies worldwide - particularly western nations where boating is a lifestyle expression, is killing boaters. Considered a luxury item, they are being sold off in cut-throat fashion. The massive price reductions across used boat markets thus affects the new boat sales market. Bargains are to be had everywhere, which makes it less appealing to pay more on the showroom floor.

Back to fuel costs. We know we are being taken for a ride. Prices at the bowser go up Friday morning (or even Thursday night). They come down on Tuesdays - if you're lucky. They go up on school holidays and back down again a few days after the kids return to class. Up when there's a public holiday and back down a day or two after we return to work. We're sold a lie by Governments reliant on oil company's political donations and various commissions who have no teeth to do anything.

Power boating is becomming even more expensive at a time when people are burdened with enormous real estate debts, declining income and job prosepcts and an ever-uncertain future. That is not good news for the boating industry per se and the power boat industry specifically. The fact is that marine engine manufacturers cannot improve technology and fuel consumption performance at a rate exceeding the rate of fuel price increases. 

If you're going to get into selling sailing boats, you need no further incentive. Stink boaters are going to lose the battle! They will be consigned to forever being land-lubbers or be forced to walk the plank and jump into a rag boat!!! Take a look at the boat sales websites. Not just in Australia, but the UK and United States too.

The biggest losers are the V8 driven boats. All of a sudden, no one wants them! Not even for free. The Aussie tradie who has done so well for himself over the past decade in a relentless construction boom, knows what how much it costs to run his Holden or Ford ute around from job to job each week. His 80 litre fuel tank is now well north of $100 to fuel. So in an instant he can calculate the cost of filling a 300, 400, 500, 1000 litre fuel tank on a boat. Scary. And scared off buying a new, or even used boat. Scared to even fuel the one he has now!

Boat owners with diesel engines will be less likely to want to sell. None of them will want a petrol boat, that much is certain. But being able to cruise more economically dollar-for-dollar will not entice them to sell in a down market with few sales prospects. Older and ageing vessels are a tricky proposition, with insurance companies more likely to want a marine survey conducted before they agree to insure a vessel. Who needs these cost burdens when they are struggling to maintain their budget as it is?

Where is the light at the end of the tunnel for the boating industry? Is there a remedy to fix the growing financial mess that might envelope and swallow it? How soon will the Chinese perfect the electric engine...and the electric boat? Granted, the first electric boats will be slow and have limited cruise range and time. But you can bet your V8 engines it will be the Chinese who come to the fore.

Anyone want a cruiser with twin V6's? Mine is for sale!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It's a case of Buyer Beware." How many times have you heard this?

Why would you not use a marine surveyor to check your boat out? There's a level of decision-making involved in any purchase. There can be a level of emotion; some anxiety, an air of excitement and a lot of ego, too. There is a distinction between an informed, rational decision and an emotional one. And the existance of a marine surveyor in the process is the bridge in that gap.

There is a harsh reality to boating and sailing that people need to confront: when you are out on the water and something bad happens, you will not be able to step out of your vessel and hail a taxi to drive you home. You may be on your own, maybe injured, in severe weather conditions and perhaps for some time before rescue arrives. But people take the risk of not properly investigating the condition of a boat as though it is the same as for buying a car.

There are jokes and stories aplenty about people who 'bought a lemon.' But financial pain and loss of enjoyment of your boat or yacht is the least of your concerns and is but a trivial inconvenience compared to what could eventuate. And that is that you could lose your life. You might be responsible for the deaths of friends and or family members. None of which are repaired by money or time. So why would you take the chance?

The fact is that people do. Not just new-comers to boating or the unprepared sailor. People with much boating knowledge and experience behind them (who should have known better) have fallen victim to relying on their own 'expertise' in boating matters. "No, I know how to do that myself. I know what to look out for and I'll be careful." Many people still get stung.

Marine surveyors are an invaluable source of information. Through their work they see and learn about more boats and more about each one than you or I can hope to. They see the good and the bad about boats and boat building technique and their breadth of knowledge expands with years service and boats surveyed. What is amazing is that people would not want to capitalise on this invaluable source of information. During the course of having a marine survey conducted you have the opportunty to ask an unlimited array of questions. You receive a qualified and impartial opinion.

These are the keys:

• qualified
• professional
• impartial
• independent

The marine surveyor experiences no emotions in your decision-making process. He or she doesn't care whether you buy the boat or not. They will provide a qualified opinion that is independent of you. You may have already made the decision in your head to go ahead with the purchase. The marine survey - that written report, is the safeguard that just may prevent you making a big mistake.

That written, qualified opinion is not just for insurance purposes, either. It provides you with a comprehensive condition report that is itemised and tells you a lot more than you would otherwise pick up during a routine inspection. You would want to know all the good and bad stuff - after all, your paying!

Someone I know has recently purchased a vessel. This person has years of experience with boats and yachts alike. They relied upon their own expertise to make the decision. The fuel tanks turned out to be of inferior quality and were split, prior to purchase. The vessel is not under warranty and the owner will bare the full cost of repairs, not to mention the loss of enjoyment of the vessel. This is not something they had the knowledge or tools to check. The employment of a marine surveyor may have prevented this loss.

It's not worth the risk. Use a marine surveyor. They are worth their weight in gold!