What’s The Deal With These Amazing Deals? We Told You So, And Now Will Tell You Again.
Ahhhhh!
So? What is going on? 25 Sportsman for $40K? Has Jim lost his mind? Is the classic boat craze crashing? What’s happening here? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! PANIC PANIC… OR? Take a breath. Inhale… EXHALE.. Cough Cough..
WE ARE IN THE GENERATIONAL SHIFT OF THE CLASSIC BOAT PASSION! Stick with me here, it’s gonna be a wild non linear splain. If you are killed by a meteor the size of a pebble…. did the world come to an end because of a meteor shower? For you it did, and you will never know that in other parts of the world, it’s just a foot note, and thats if people even notice. In other words, just because some people are leaving the passion, does not mean others are not jumping in.
He is just not quite focused yet. But the passion is there
The average interest life span of a boater is 15 years. Not sure where I heard that, but it makes sense. We get involved at around 45 years old and by 60 ish, or 70 ish, it gets to be a pain if you are not DNA infused with varnish like those of us here. Thats the circle of life. Ah ZABENYA!
Yip Yap
SO? The Great Generational Transition. WoodyBoater is almost 20 years old. YES. CAAARAZY! Many of the long time fellow Woody Boaters are into other things now. As many passanestas are and do. Oh look a Corvette, Oh, look a new hip….. So guess what, they wanna sell their ship, and who is buying? Well, all those younger kids that are now 35-45. And guess what? They don’t have old people money. They got kids, new mortgage payments, and other drama in their lives. Like we did 20 years ago. OKAY see, I am the guy about to be killed by the meteor, and my sone is the guy who is walking the dog and maybe thinking of having a leisure time pastime.
Think the world is coming to an end? he doesnt? Its just outta gas.
We are a community that by self selection is change adverse. We LOOOOOVE going in reverse, looking back and trying to capture that feeling. It’s good. And just because there is another generation, looking forward, does not mean we are all gonna die. Wait.. we are.. CRAP, okay bad example. Our boats are not gonna die. There. Thats better. Anyway, where was I? DANG IT! Ya, okay that thought is gone. Whats for lunch today, I am starving? You all can take it from here.
It will make your life more ballenced
If I would have been smarter I would have reallocated $ in my 401k before the market took a downturn… Would much rather had a 25 Sportsman in the driveway than a larger S&P 500 loss on my retirement statement. Oh well… will stick with the boats I have…
The average interest lifespan of a boater is 15 years?
I can tell you that the Michigan gang is not part of that statistic, but we are slowing down and need some younger reinforcements. I hope you are right and they are on the way!
We touched on this before. The up coming generations are different, to be sure. From my observations, they are into using their stuff and not necessarily taking proper care of it. That’s OK. That’s them. But when it comes to woody boats, that matrix isn’t going to work well. Again, I am not “slamming” the younger generations, that’s just who they are. I know, there are exceptions. Besides, woody boats look king of funny with all those big audio speakers the newer boats sport! As for investment, that gold I bought in 1999 is the best investment I every made, hands down! Although, the “fun” factor in owning gold is a bit lackluster. Stay the course and keep on keeping on!
Yup, always changing!
I still think Jim’s 25SP is one of the best user boats I have ever seen and a $40k it’s a real bargain.
I am surprised you did not photo shop the pontoon out of the WECATCHEM pic.
$40k yes is a bargain. But, that’s only one or two engines on the stiletto boats with five Mercury R’s to be seen on the videos at Haulover inlet. I guarantee that those owners couldn’t wrap their hands around a varnish brush handle. How they operate with children in the bow nosing into those short period waves is reckless! The way those boats are treated in salt water environment appears that expendable money isn’t a problem.
Guys, have you seen the prices of restoration materials and consumables??? No wonder we are seeing a fade off in enthusiasts! If you have always heard “wow that’s a lot of work” times that by 100 now! Not going to get into the political consequences but….
Observations:
Our demographic is pretty steady overall. Just look around you at the boat shows. Mechanical things and beautiful lines attract any man. (Well, maybe not those that drink White Claw……)
Our kids think all my toys are cute but will be calling the auctioneer before I’m cold in the ground. Unless Patti gets to the auction house first…….!
Times and tastes change, depending on what you grew up with. When I mention my desire for manual locks and roll up windows in a new car, anyone under forty looks at me strangely.
Our hobbies will survive. I just can’t guarantee we’ll recognize them in twenty years.
Oh and that boating thing? We get six weeks of bad ice up north that we call soft water and summer.
As noted by today’s picture just now.
Keep calm and rock on.
“change has always been with us”
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where were you on August 11, 2018?
Well, it’s not an issue of the beauty of these boats because nearly everyone who sees these them compliments how gorgeous they are. It’s not an issue of affordability because many of these boats are quite affordable especially when compared to the cost a new boat. I think it’s mostly the perpetuated reputation of how much work they are to maintain and I think we are greatly to blame for this reputation. How often do we hear, “that’s a beautiful boat but they are alot of work aren’t they”. And oftentimes we agree as we put a feather in our cap. Instead, recommend getting a nice boat with a modified bottom and do regular, easy general maintenance, keep it nice but don’t necessarily try to make it a perfect show boat and you can enjoy these beautiful and affordable boats too.
As my wife has always said….”funeral at 11:00…auction starts at 2:00″
I am sorry but I can’t get over the guys in the cover shot today? Happy people…Peace signs fore ground and aboard…and some asshole is giving the camera the finger…? got figure? John , just went boating yesterday, in VA.
John: He’s really not an asshole, he just acts like one sometime.
I agree with Brock 100 % but my boat, Molly-O, has the ultimate mooring location which requires the least physical upkeep as she can and go for MANY years between varnish jobs ……. a fully enclosed boat house. I know that most potential Woody boater wannabes don’t have a clue as how to maintain or store a woodie, but with a little research and contacts (like the knowable OLD-FARTS) here on woodie boater maybe they can learn something, so spread the word about WBer.
yeah Troy, I know…but he could have sent the same message with a lot more class if he had just mooned the camera….just sayin…..!!! jfr
Hi John. I’ve gotta say something about today’s story opening pic. It bought me a much needed smile just now. That pic always has whenever it reappears.
The guy giving the finger? He’s a dear friend, a great guy, and a top notch classic boat restorer. He’s anything but an a-hole. Except, of course, when he steals one of my boats on Boat Show day to go to a bar without me.
In this pic for the ages, he’s being unfiltered-ly spontaneous and having fun. And that’s great.
The finger is in jest to the guy taking the photo (who is one of his colleagues and also not an a-hole).
Now, as for the clown standing on the covering boards? What the hell. What an idiot. He’s being irresponsible and reckless and clearly has no idea about safe boating practices. Also, he’s me. 🙂
Anyhow, it’s always great to see a pic of people using these boats as boats should be used, with abandon, vs the Thurston and Lovey pics that we see way too often.
I have far worse pics taken in a 25 Sportsman by the way. Waiting to release those on WoodyBoater when the Epstein list hits the papers. 🙂
You people in those pics know who you are. And you should be shaking in your custom baby seal leather boots.
Sorry A you are not a daring and reckless as you remember, you are standing on the engine cover.
Oh boy now you let the cat out of the bag – all these years I thought M was giving Sandi the finger not me.
Dora is always good times!!!
This all happened at Dora 2016: The same year John decided he should try his hand at driving a “Go Fast” boat because he thought that the captain (I don’t know who that could have been) had a little too much to drink.
Nice fanny pack John!
It was actually Smith who tried mooning, but in his old age it seems that he forgot to drop his drawers.
The best part is, look at Captain Smith. Totally oblivious to what the kids are doing in the way back. And, just like that, BOOM! I realized a 25 Sportsman IS actually a floating station wagon.
OK I get it already! but a moon would have been neat? what happens in Dora….stays…..John in Va