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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.
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
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
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.
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.
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
Note to self: Don't argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience....
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.
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