Originally Posted by
Sweet Cheekz
Interesting points in an interesting debate but this point is not always correct in my humble opinion. My boat is one example of a restored boat built far superior to a new boat in its class in every way with far more performance than what is available in the newer boat market. I think Todds point about price being irrelavant is basically that you have to have all cash to buy an older rare or restored Donzi. Price is relevant if you compare a newer boat with one of these restored Donzis even after taking the emotion out of it the potential buyer will find bargains over todays boats and he doesnt need to look far. He just needs money in the bank. Parnell
Except this does not really apply to your beautiful GT 21 as it has been documented through it's entire restoration and any potential buyer will know the condition of every system up front. He can negotiate with confidence in that there's not another 15 - 20K worth of work hidden somewhere. So, there is a market for your restored boat.
Demographics have as much to do with the size of this market as anything. These performance boats appeal to a "younger" crowd or maybe "younger at heart" that may still be raising families etc.... I see plenty of disposable income amongst the "Velcro sneaker" set that is used in the purchase of restored wooden boats. There might be a few of us old farts that still want to own performance boats but not everyone wants more than 2 or3 .
(BTW: there's a good market on CC XK "plastic" boats because the woody guys know Chris Craft)
Personally, I don't finance anything (now that my mortgage is paid). If I don't have the scratch... I don't buy it. It does not mean that I will not convert one asset in order to acquire another one though. Sometimes it takes time. But, there's both money and people out there for a boat like yours!
Perhaps the recent ACBS ruling on "contemporary Classics" will help generate interests in the Donzi brand moving forward. As soon as that crowd learns and appreciates the history of the marque that small market will become a little less small.
Sean Conroy,
1964 Formula Jr. (hull #2) project
1972 Greavette Sunflash III
1981 Kavalk Mistral project
"A man can accomplish anything... as long as he doesn't care who gets the credit."