Australian boats V American boats

[rustymarlin]

This should generate some interesting comments. I am in the market for a new boat was looking at bigger boats but when you do the sums way to expensive mooring and just upkeep alone . So I have now set my sights on a boat in the 6.8 to 7.3 m range trailerable (fiberglass). I Have been looking for quite some time and the question that keeps comming up is are our boats as good as the imports from america and so on. I have just sold a cruisecraft 575 outsider this was a great boat but I need something a little bigger forthe family. I have been looking at the cruisecraft 685 great looking boat and based on my previous exposure Im sure would be an awsome boat .Have not been for a ride in one yet so keen to understand the ride difference between my 575 and the 685I heard that it is significant. BUT I have also been looking at the grady whites(25 journey) and boston whalers(conquest 235) also very nice looking boats with very good reviews. I understand the whole trailer width issues. Do the american boats have better fitout then our boats in that level of boat, If you have experience with any of the above boats i would be inerested to hear.In the end the decision will come down to best bang for the buck.

[oldie]

ozzie ozzie ozzie

[rosco1974]

the yank boats i have looked at have alot more bang for buck than the ozzie boats..

[GBC]

Mass produced american boats which are USCG compliant are generally much better fitted, finished and wired than Australian product from what I've seen.

The Yank market is of such a size that it's worthwhile for the manufacturer to have complete wiring harnesses cut for each model of boat they produce, and a complete schematic is part of the handover package. Not so amazing in a 23 ft trailer boat, but step up to a 32 with a heap more systems (grey water, air con, hot water etc etc) and they really are a cut above.

Even a 23 import will have a CO2 alarm system in the cabin and if it's a sterndrive, an onboard fire supression system - standard. Not to mention built in redundancy for skin fitting fixings etc that I've had to battle for in OZ before.

Needing a new LHS clear for your bimini is as easy as a phone call to the manufacturer in the states - they'll organise it no worries. Nothing is custom made and everything is traceable and supported.

There's great aussie product as well, but we simply don't have the economies of scale that they have over there.

[Prowl n Wolf]

one thing i love about the yank glass boats over ours is there fuel tanks. just looking at the seaswirls, grady's and whalers they've all got great range capabilities.

[fisho8]

The Grady white's are an awsome fishing rig aswell as the Stripers however the 685CC would be up there aswell. The yank boats are fitted out with more options and are cheaper over all going to be a herd decision mate. Alot of people are importing boats these days good luck.

[Dicko]

Have had a yank import for near 3yrs. Fit, finish, electrical, flotation stds etc plus value for money would see me buy one again.

[Apollo]

Having delivered a yank import (2007 model) earlier this year, I am happy with the decision. The biggest reason for the decision to import one was the choice. Compared to local boats in the similar class, it is better finished and has more options as standard. The build quality is very good and the ride exceptional. The much lower price was an extra benefit.

I did get the chance to see a brand new yank import during the week and was a tad disappointed in some of the fitout of it. It seems the standard had slipped compared to mine (from the same maker), which is a shame give the boat is a good design.

All that being said, in styles other than what I have, there are some exceptionally well built and finished locally made boats, which would certainly get my attention if I was going that way.

[Muddy Toes]

I understand the whole trailer width issues. Do the american boats have better fitout then our boats in that level of boat, If you have experience with any of the above boats i would be inerested to hear.In the end the decision will come down to best bang for the buck.

Hey mate.....If your eventual decision will come down to the most bang for your buck then my unbiased opinion would be to buy American.Yes...I am an owner of an American boat but when you compare apples to apples there is no way Australian boat builders can match the value of the Americans.Although this thread is not related to the reasons for that and the implications of buying overseas there is just not the market over here, manufacturing costs and amount of choice over here to be on a level playing field with the Yanks.It's not unsafe...it's just less than a lot of people are used to.

As stated before the American boats to have a lot of good features that comparable Australian made boats do not offer and often the quality of the fit out is much greater in similarly priced boats.Once again this comes down to the size of the U.S market.
I have no doubt some people will be on here saying that U.S boats are not built to Australian standards and the likes but at the end of the day the boats that are made over there are also built to the relevant standards over there which are not below ours so in essence when it comes to build quality there are going to be boats of a lesser build quality in both the Australian and American market to choose from.
Just as an example I took my boat in to Trymax Marine to get a thru-hull transducer fitted and when I got the boat back the guys that did the install made the comment that out of all the boats they have fitted thru-hull transducers to, yes...including Haines and C/Crafts, my hull was the thickest they have had to cut through so it just goes to show that the build quality is not always lacking for the doubters out there.
But being true to being unbiased one thing that is usually noticeable in the American boats in the 'cockpit depth'. This is quite often shallower to the locally made boats giving some people the feeling of being insecure whilst fishing in rough weather after being used to Australian made boats for so long and having the luxury of a deeper cockpit.
The whole trailer issue is really a non issue in my opinion.Given that some U.S trailer manufacturers can build an Australian spec trailer to suit your needs for about a third of the cost of buying one locally for me.....there really is no issue.

Here is a link that gives a bit more of an insight in to my import.

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php?178020-US-Boat-imports&highlight=rocket

If there is anymore you wish to know just ask mate.Similarly if your in the Brisbane area and want to have a look at my import just PM me.

[lucee81]

People crack me up when they start yapping about Australian standards.
To give you an idea it is good at times but should not be followed 100% of the time.
To meet Australian standards a product only has to be on the line of what some shiny arse has deemed safe. so in relation to a boat someone has decided that the hull thickness has to be a minimum thickness to be safe however in America this thickness may be thicker so in essence it's above Australian standard yet not stamped aust standard would you trust it? I would.
There is a lot more in standards obviously but I do not follow them 100% of the time when buying over seas. I do if buying in Australia and prefer over the standard.

[TopBhoy]

People crack me up when they start yapping about Australian standards.
To give you an idea it is good at times but should not be followed 100% of the time.
To meet Australian standards a product only has to be on the line of what some shiny arse has deemed safe. so in relation to a boat someone has decided that the hull thickness has to be a minimum thickness to be safe however in America this thickness may be thicker so in essence it's above Australian standard yet not stamped aust standard would you trust it? I would.
There is a lot more in standards obviously but I do not follow them 100% of the time when buying over seas. I do if buying in Australia and prefer over the standard.
Unfortunately there are times when you have no choice but to buy an equal or worse, an inferior Aus product; simply on the basis the overseas product hasn't a sticker. The wheel is ever rarely invented and for mass market items the stuff bought overseas will be exactly the same as what can be bought in Aus. Given the relatively small user base, why politicians here feel the need to add additional costs onto products (particularly on non-industrial equipment), I don't know. If a piece of equipment is CE marked or has the USA equivalent, that should be good enough for us mortals.

[ozynorts]

Hey Rutsymarlin. I had seen the site below mentioned before about imports and had a look. They even offer a service that you can put in the details of the boat you are looking for and they will put the word out to their american dealers and try to find it for you.
http://importaboat.com.au/
I am also looking at the merits of this option.

[johncar]

I'll be sticking to our local builders for many reasons, yank boats just like everything else over there seem excessive, wasteful and function comes in last place all to often. Other than that, our country will go down the gurgler for our future generations if we keep crapping on it. No doubt though our local business people, manufacturers and polititions need to lift their game to compete in this global market.

[wrxhoon]

Both the GW and Boston are great boats but both are much bigger than the 685, both are 8'6" wide so you need oversize crap.
I have just got a GW 228G Sefarer at 6.76 mts + ouboard bracket its about the size of the 685. GWs and Bostons are regarded as the best boats in USA, I don't know about the BW but GW'S are all hand laid and very strong boats , the transom on my GW 228 is 70 mm thick .
The reason the cockpits on most USA built boats are not as deep as AU boats is the fact they all have dry decks even when stationary. As said before they all have huge fuel tanks, like 400 lts in a 22 footer 125 gals in the 228 GW, 600 lts in a 25 footer.
The GW Journey you are looking at will be over 3500 kg fueled on any trailer so you need a truck to tow it or a Yank pick up. A fantastic boat though with twin 150's, a friend of mine has one with twin 150 4st Yammies,or if you prefer a single, 350 should be good for 50MPH.
Generally USA boats are well fitted with stuff you can't even get as extras in AU.
Unfotunately with our $$ this high the Yanks offer value you can't get here but don't try to buy a new Grady, Boston or any USA built boat new from a dealer here , they will charge you at least $30 k more . If you are looking at new boats some USA dealers will not sell you one for export but nothing stopping you buying used and do what I just did. Have a new ally trailer built in USA , cost less than halt the Aussie gal trailer and a new outboard if you so wish. I just fitted a 250 Optimax on mine .

[ovakil]

I'll be sticking to our local builders for many reasons, yank boats just like everything else over there seem excessive, wasteful and function comes in last place all to often. Other than that, our country will go down the gurgler for our future generations if we keep crapping on it. No doubt though our local business people, manufacturers and polititions need to lift their game to compete in this global market.

That's fair enough but what do you tell the Aussie exporter's?
Don't export cause people only buy local.
Just a thought.

[madonlures]

First post gents and I don't profess to even know some of the models you are talking about. What I do know is that if we continue to demand a better standard of living and high pay rates here in Australia but don't want to pay for the wages of others in Australia who want the same standard, but prefer to buy "overseas or grey" items be they boats cars whatever, we will enevtually lose all industry. Things are dearer here as wages are higher, the market is smaller and distances are greater. These are not the only drivers and there are some who gouge the customer but I would like to believe they are a minority. I am not blameless but now I try to support my local area and Australian made if I can. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Moonlighter]

If you do some research on sites like Ausfish's sister site in the USA "The Hull Truth" and especially their boating forum, you will find that, like here, there are basically 3 tiers of US manufacturers - the top tier (where you find the likes of Grady White, Boston Whaler, McKee, Fountain), the mid tier, and a lower or budget tier.

Having seen and fished out of a couple of US built boats that are generally accepted to be in around the US mid tier (eg Seaswirl, Proline), in my opinion these mid tier boats are significantly better overall packages than Australian top tier boats (the likes of Signature, Haines Hunter, Seafarer).

And no production boats we have match their top tier production boats. Theirs are simply stunning.

You have to look at the full package you get to make the assessment - construction, finish, fittings, standard accessories, and layout, but even mid tier US built boats come equipped and set up better than Australian boats. For example, I dont think any of the accepted mid-tier US built boats have had any timber in their construction for years now, meaning transom, stringer and floor rot simply dont exist. Plus they are all foam filled and rated unsinkable. Plus they all run dry self draining decks. Huge fuel tanks. Live bait tanks that your 6 year old kids can swim laps in (maybe I exaggerate slightly on this point but you get the drift). Inside the cabin in Cuddy's are like lurury cars.

At the micro level, just one example from my mate's Seaswirl Striper - you sit in the poassenger seat and where your left hand naturally falls, there is a handgrip in exactly the right position. And that handgrip looks and feels like it comes out of a Calais or Statesman. Yet in another mate's near new Cruisecraft 625, nothing like that can be found. You have to reach up and hang onto a cold stainless windscreen frame or similar, its uncomfortable and not easy to do for a long trip. A small point, yes, but mutliply those little things by about 20, and then apply the same principle to the actual quality of fittings, sizes of bilge pumps, etc, and you start to get a sense of what the differences add up to collectively. Basically, it just becomes a much nicer and easier experience to be on board and travel on their boats.

Its not that our local builders dont care or can't do this, its just that the US market is so competitive, their volumes are so big, plus they listen to their owners better than ours do, so the product ends up having to be better just to keep their market share.

How many of our manufacturer's have owner's websites that they encourage and support? See for example http://seastriper.com/

What you do find though is that, with the volumes that they have, they often have many more specific models each designed to suit a particular function. So you need to do your research and make sure you get a model that suits your needs.

And anyone who thinks that the Australian Standard AS1799 or our Builder's Plate requirements for small boats sets the bar higher than the USCG requirements or the NMAA requirements, or for that matter the European CE standards, is kidding themselves. In fact, the Australian and even the International Standards (ISO's) all recognise as equivalent, accept as complying, and in some cases "call up" the US standards. So the scare mongering from the Australian builders and organisations about that is just that, scare mongering.

The only thing you need to be aware of is that the US domestic power supply is 110V compared to our 240V, so if there are any onboard electrical items that are designed to be hooked up to shore power (eg microwaves, battery chargers etc) when you are docked or at home, you will have to change them to 240V, or install a suitable transformer.

Bottom line: like any purchase, do your research, and then do some more, before you decide. Deal with reputable companies if you do decide to buy a boat in the US, and do smart things like get the boat and engine checked by an independant, qualified person, and make sure of the measurements, particularly the widths of the boat and trailer - and get them independently verified.

If you can find one where the hard top or T top can be faitrly easily removed and laid down inside the boat it will save you freight costs.

Get your trailer import permit organised before the boat leaves the US. Otherwise it wont be released by Customs when it arrives here and you will incur big fees while it sits there and you rush about trying to get the permit issued. Like a min $100 a day plus in fees, and the risk that they might instruct you to remove it from our fair shores!

There are some great boats at great prices to be had from the US. And if you are organised, its not that big a deal to make it happen.

Cheers

ML

[ozynorts]

I am looking at a 23ft Sea Fox walkaround. I got a quote today for importing it and with the cost of the boat included and a new alloy I beam trailer to aust specs it came out to just under $45k. It is a 2006 with a 175hp 4 stroke zuke on it. Try getting that in aust for under $60k. There is a 21ft of the same boat for sale on boatpoint right now with a 150hp honda 4 stroke for $50K. If you are serious about it the figures seem to add up.

[Muddy Toes]

Have a look at the online forum thehulltruth and do a bit of a search on Seafox boats before you buy one.

[ozynorts]

yeah I have seen some of those comments. The hardest thing for me is working out which US boat brands are considered ok and then finding ones that suit what I want and then in a price bracket that I am happy with.

[Moonlighter]

Yes, generally the Sea Fox seem to be regarded as being in the lower budget tier of boats that use cheaper construction techniques.

As suggested by Muddy, do some searches on THT and you may end up changing your mind. If you want more info or opinions on any particular brand over there, join THT and put up a post and ask the question. It does sound like the current model Sea Foxes have improved quite a bit, but not so sure about 2006 vintages.......

Look at the likes of Proline, Seaswirl, Robalo, Pursuit, Mako and you'll find better quality. Others may also suggest some other, better brands to consider. Prices may be a bit more than the Seafox, but retain value better too.

Cheers

ML

[Boat Hog]

Moonlighter, thank you for your posts. I couldn't have replied to this thread more eloquently than that myself.

As the owner of an American manufactured boat, I'm getting a bit sick and tired of hearing the whinging and moaning about supporting the aussie builders and how grey imports are evil and below standards etc, ad infinitum until I puke!

Honestly, are we all going to drive only aussie built boats, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, jet skis, aeroplanes and pogo sticks? I think not!

It's a global economy, survival of the most competitive, dog eat dog, shape up and compete or go out of buisness world we live in. So, unless there's a Govt embargo or discencentive for imports or Govt subsidy or bail out of the boat manufacturing sector (like there is for the car manufacturers) that reduces the cost of Aussie boats - I'm going to tow my American Boat with my Japanese car and enjoy the best product I can get with my hard earned dollars.

That's all ....

Cheers,