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Another thing to keep in mind...depreciation. Well made boats with long competitive lives will hold their values better. I'm sure the better made Acats keep their edige for a long time...but of course the nature of this game is to be innovative and there is a development cycle issue that needs to be factored in. Same will be true for the F18 though.

Mike.


Don't totally agree with this.

Yes Marstrom's are well made and so is the Nacra F18. But, is the old Inter 18 holding it's value well. Answer is NO. Simply the Inter 18 is no longer a competitive boat (as with older Tigers as another example) and so they have lost value quickly - still a fine boat. If (and I mean if) another builder (or Goran) comes up with a new development for the A class, his current boats will no longer hold their value.

This is the price you have to pay by being part of a development class, or restricted development class or formula based rule - Things will change and cash will have to be spent.



This IS kind of what I was referring to...the development cycle in formula classes will cause accelerated depreciation as technology advances. But if things are relatively stable for awhile, the better made boats will hold their values longer than the low quality jobs. For Tornado class, the current competitive life of a Marstrom is 7+ years. In the past, polyester-based Tboats could go 2-4 years tops at the high end of the fleet. A 10 year old Marstom Tboat will sell for roughly half it's original price. Can the same be said for 10 year old Hobie 18's, NA 6.0's, I20's, Acats ,or (in the future) F18's?


Mike Dobbs
Tornado CAN 99 "Full Tilt"