WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

Rusty and Ultra

COCA COLA COWBOY

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
5,122
Reaction score
6,065
My buddy has a marine shop in San Diego...he often states that without Ultra, he wouldn't be in business. They did cut some corners and made mistakes in the assembly process, but if you're handy they can be fixed. I've owned a couple and they were fine after I made the corrections. If I went to the lower river, I would probably buy another.
 

Sportin' Wood

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2,559
Reaction score
7,632
A 19-20ft jet boat with a 525 ls3 would be pretty bad ass. engine and drive package would be around 25k would be my guess. So what does a hull and interior run??
In so far as interior, I have always wondered if you could design the interior to use an off the shelf solution like a PRP suspension seat design. Before they were bought from BestTop they would have been pretty easy to work with on developing something, I'm not sure it is he same today, but hey have plenty of options and material choices. The suspension seat design might add some comfort.
 

paradise

Spooner
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
4,690
Reaction score
5,352
Question for those in the know; Is the drive package cost the limiting factor?
It seems like the bigger badder more feature rich products make up for the margin erosion of the smaller boats. The toons seem like they can overcome this hurdle with production efficiency. Plus its fairly easy to upfit more power with the OB drive package, or save costs with finish materials on the toons.

I find it fascinating how the market pivoted after the great recession and wonder how the EPA standards influenced the switch to toons from V bottom pleasure crafts for the middle class.

I also find is interesting how late 90's to Mid 2000 performance boat pricing has stayed relatively high. Finance options for these boats might influence the maintenance of the prices however. I'm a nerd for this kind of stuff, but I wonder what the long term looks like for performance boating and what kind of production opportunity might be floating around in boating enthusiast minds. Could a DIY kit boat make sense if a drive package was available? Could you circumvent EPA standards if you sold a ready to assemble less motor kit? Something that used a lower cost turn key LS motor, with a lower cost drive like maybe a Jet? Figure out how to sell all the rigging and interior, and lastly lower the costs of the hull by using production manufacturing practice and not custom. Build a shopping cart or affiliate links to the appropriate accessories to finish the boat. Extra points if you could offer a finance option for the major purchases.

I think a 21 foot v bottom LS powered boat could be cool. Maybe I'm just a day dreamer. Three different top choices. Open Bow, Closed Bow and Whaler (Sport fishing).

Thanks for humoring me, this is what I do every day at work. Find new products and services for a publicly traded global company. I can't help but look at things through this lens.
My probably unpopular $.02 is that everything needing to be a DCB is what has driven the cost up. My 22 stealth had a 250hp mercruiser with an alpha drive. The rigging and interior were fine but wiring wasn’t perfect and interior was pretty simple vinyl with a couple accents. It did have nice gel 👍

That boat put out today would be called a piece of shit for the rigging and wiring And the fact it couldn’t even touch 60.

I think those are the boats that are missing. Even the budget builders are held to a pretty high rigging standard and that all costs money. I’m certainly not saying having nice rigging is bad :) but there is a spot for entry level that’s not bayliner.
 

evantwheeler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Messages
2,906
Reaction score
5,624
My probably unpopular $.02 is that everything needing to be a DCB is what has driven the cost up. My 22 stealth had a 250hp mercruiser with an alpha drive. The rigging and interior were fine but wiring wasn’t perfect and interior was pretty simple vinyl with a couple accents. It did have nice gel 👍

That boat put out today would be called a piece of shit for the rigging and wiring And the fact it couldn’t even touch 60.

I think those are the boats that are missing. Even the budget builders are held to a pretty high rigging standard and that all costs money. I’m certainly not saying having nice rigging is bad :) but there is a spot for entry level that’s not bayliner.

But even if you have say $100k to spend on a new boat, it just makes more sense to buy a nice used one. You get WAAAY more for boat and performance for your money letting someone else take that depreciation hit for wanting to buy new. The problem is people are comparing the current boat market to the market when these currently nice used boats were built brand new and the industry was changing (im talking the early to mid 2000's). There wasn't anything used on the market that was comparable.

What do you get now out of a v-hull boat that you don't out of a 10-15 or hell even a 20 year old one? Some complicated electronics? A fancy screen on the dash that you cannot see in the direct sunlight? There is no drastic changes or leaps in performance in either the boat designs or the hardware (engines/outdrives) nor any new ground breaking changes in design or aesthetics. One could argue that point if an outboard is thrown in the equation, I will admit new is likely the route to go if you want a modern outboard on a v-hull boat. Buying a new boat, you get to pick the gel, that's really it. And the ego stroke of having a new boat built. (hint, no one cares if your boat is new or used).

Cliff notes: there are too many great v-hull boats on the used market at reasonable prices.
 
Last edited:

PlanB

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2018
Messages
4,879
Reaction score
10,286
From what 70+? The toon will be in the channel bbq’n before the 21 makes it across the bay.

The toon will have better acceleration, maneuverability, ride, turning, capacity, resale, etc.

I guess if bouncing all over the place is fun, a 21’ wins.
Add in some rough water and it's really no contest. Last week we were leaving the buoy line at Thompson Bay and it was windy and choppy. I had a little performance boat in the 21' range trying to run with me down towards Copper Canyon. I just kept bumping the throttle up while I was watching the people in his boat get beat to shit. He eventually backed off.

I wish I still had my 21 Daytona because it was a fun boat, but it would be a mid weak, non-rough water second boat.
 

Sportin' Wood

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2,559
Reaction score
7,632
To who? 80yr old dudes with car show shirts and new balance shoes?
I prefer Brooks for my feet problems, but I don't drive a Corvette.
My probably unpopular $.02 is that everything needing to be a DCB is what has driven the cost up. My 22 stealth had a 250hp mercruiser with an alpha drive. The rigging and interior were fine but wiring wasn’t perfect and interior was pretty simple vinyl with a couple accents. It did have nice gel 👍

That boat put out today would be called a piece of shit for the rigging and wiring And the fact it couldn’t even touch 60.

I think those are the boats that are missing. Even the budget builders are held to a pretty high rigging standard and that all costs money. I’m certainly not saying having nice rigging is bad :) but there is a spot for entry level that’s not bayliner.
I think I tend to agree with you, I suspect that manufactures after 2008 fired the hard to deal with customers wanting a 21 foot custom boat and focused on ballers, who don't have issues with financing. Better to collect cash along the way, than invest in building something and being stuck with inventory.

For all the people smarter than me on here, which part of the build carry's the biggest cost? Is it the Human element of custom that is driving the costs along the way? The hull, the rigging, or the drive package?

I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the wiring could be manufactured as a harness and plug and play. My guess (maybe incorrectly) is that many custom boat builders don't have a lot of production manufacturing experience. I assume (maybe incorrectly) that reliance on human labor and "Tribal Knowledge" contributes to the margin challenge and the path of least resistance is increasing prices until people flinch.
But even if you have say $100k to spend on a new boat, it just makes more sense to buy a nice used one. You get WAAAY more for boat and performance for your money letting someone else take that depreciation hit for wanting to buy new. The problem is people are comparing the current boat market to the market when these currently nice used boats were built brand new and the industry was changing (im talking the early to mid 2000's). There wasn't anything used on the market that was comparable.

What do you get now out of a v-hull boat that you don't out of a 10-15 or hell even a 20 year old one? Some complicated electronics? A fancy screen on the dash that you cannot see in the direct sunlight? There is no drastic changes or leaps in performance in either the boat designs or the hardware (engines/outdrives) nor any new ground breaking changes in design or aesthetics. One could argue that point if an outboard is thrown in the equation, I will admit new is likely the route to go if you want a modern outboard on a v-hull boat. Buy buying a new boat, you get to pick the gel, that's really it. And the ego stroke of having a new boat built. (hint, no one cares if your boat is new or used).

Cliff notes: there are too many great v-hull boats on the used market at reasonable prices.
This theory works today, but what happens to the Culture in 10 years? Finance options seem to be drying up for the sweet spot used boats from late 90's mid 2000s. The bank of home refi went away for now as well. I guess good news is getting slips in 10 years should be easier and the ramp wait faster. :)
 

paradise

Spooner
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
4,690
Reaction score
5,352
I prefer Brooks for my feet problems, but I don't drive a Corvette.

I think I tend to agree with you, I suspect that manufactures after 2008 fired the hard to deal with customers wanting a 21 foot custom boat and focused on ballers, who don't have issues with financing. Better to collect cash along the way, than invest in building something and being stuck with inventory.

For all the people smarter than me on here, which part of the build carry's the biggest cost? Is it the Human element of custom that is driving the costs along the way? The hull, the rigging, or the drive package?

I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the wiring could be manufactured as a harness and plug and play. My guess (maybe incorrectly) is that many custom boat builders don't have a lot of production manufacturing experience. I assume (maybe incorrectly) that reliance on human labor and "Tribal Knowledge" contributes to the margin challenge and the path of least resistance is increasing prices until people flinch.

This theory works today, but what happens to the Culture in 10 years? Finance options seem to be drying up for the sweet spot used boats from late 90's mid 2000s. The bank of home refi went away for now as well. I guess good news is getting slips in 10 years should be easier and the ramp wait faster. :)
I know Wes (Trident) was doing harnesses for his boats, but part of that was his ‘no options’ build style.
 

Smupser

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2021
Messages
479
Reaction score
867
Question for those in the know; Is the drive package cost the limiting factor?
It seems like the bigger badder more feature rich products make up for the margin erosion of the smaller boats. The toons seem like they can overcome this hurdle with production efficiency. Plus its fairly easy to upfit more power with the OB drive package, or save costs with finish materials on the toons.

I find it fascinating how the market pivoted after the great recession and wonder how the EPA standards influenced the switch to toons from V bottom pleasure crafts for the middle class.

I also find is interesting how late 90's to Mid 2000 performance boat pricing has stayed relatively high. Finance options for these boats might influence the maintenance of the prices however. I'm a nerd for this kind of stuff, but I wonder what the long term looks like for performance boating and what kind of production opportunity might be floating around in boating enthusiast minds. Could a DIY kit boat make sense if a drive package was available? Could you circumvent EPA standards if you sold a ready to assemble less motor kit? Something that used a lower cost turn key LS motor, with a lower cost drive like maybe a Jet? Figure out how to sell all the rigging and interior, and lastly lower the costs of the hull by using production manufacturing practice and not custom. Build a shopping cart or affiliate links to the appropriate accessories to finish the boat. Extra points if you could offer a finance option for the major purchases.

I think a 21 foot v bottom LS powered boat could be cool. Maybe I'm just a day dreamer. Three different top choices. Open Bow, Closed Bow and Whaler (Sport fishing).

Thanks for humoring me, this is what I do every day at work. Find new products and services for a publicly traded global company. I can't help but look at things through this lens.
Carb compliant motors are a big factor and a lot of builders like shockwave won’t sell a bare hull
 

Sportin' Wood

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2,559
Reaction score
7,632
I know Wes (Trident) was doing harnesses for his boats, but part of that was his ‘no options’ build style.
Wes just had bad timing. I think he was on to something.
Carb compliant motors are a big factor and a lot of builders like shockwave won’t sell a bare hull
I figure that the EPA piece must play a role in some way. FN CARB can eat a bowl of Dix.
 

pixrthis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
2,191
Reaction score
5,586
To who? 80yr old dudes with car show shirts and new balance shoes?
Performance boating is alive and well. In my and many other’s opinions, boats that are fun to drive are just more fun. I think the toon program is more for parking lot crowd. Although I did have one at Pine Flat when I was young that was our base camp for Jet Skiing, water skiing, and drag boats. Good thing they make different types so we can all boat the way we want.
 

evantwheeler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Messages
2,906
Reaction score
5,624
This theory works today, but what happens to the Culture in 10 years? Finance options seem to be drying up for the sweet spot used boats from late 90's mid 2000s. The bank of home refi went away for now as well. I guess good news is getting slips in 10 years should be easier and the ramp wait faster. :)
I wasn't an adult in the mid 2000's, so I don't know what the dynamics were before the 08 crash, but it seems that new builds were reachable as a blue collar guy, even being able to pay cash. The desire & outcome in buying new was greater than it is today because "new" was drastically different & better than what was available on used market. I would say this applies to boats and custom off-road vehicles from what I have observed. It seems the early 2000's made great leaps for utility, value & performance in both of these industries as designs evolved and individual components got better to create a much better final assembly/product. Generally, it seems that is no longer the case - new builds are too expensive for a blue collar guy (unless its your ONLY hobby), and what you get for your money is not drastically better than what you did in early to mid 2000's. I am excluding decks, toons, & cats from this obviously.

I think the "well used" boat market will always be tied to free available cash. I would guess the percentage of buyers financing these well used boats is low. I think the price of well used boats is going to go down, or remain stagnant relative to the rise in costs of a new boat as free cash is eaten up due to inflation/loss of buying power of the dollar. The cost of new generally holds the cost of used up, but I think the cost of new will outpace and continue to climb with the increased cost of goods & business. There will always be business owners & inheritors with money available to buy new, but the market for new will likely shrink.

I guess that didn't really answer the future culture question though. In 10 years, I just pray we can afford to put the fuel in our toys to enjoy them, as its obvious the powers that be want to take the freedom to move freely and enjoy these toys from us.. The cost of fuel/energy drives EVERYTHING.
 

Sportin' Wood

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2,559
Reaction score
7,632
I wasn't an adult in the mid 2000's, so I don't know what the dynamics were before the 08 crash, but it seems that new builds were reachable as a blue collar guy, even being able to pay cash. The desire & outcome in buying new was greater than it is today because "new" was drastically different & better than what was available on used market. I would say this applies to boats and custom off-road vehicles from what I have observed. It seems the early 2000's made great leaps for utility, value & performance in both of these industries as designs evolved and individual components got better to create a much better final assembly/product. Generally, it seems that is no longer the case - new builds are too expensive for a blue collar guy (unless its your ONLY hobby), and what you get for your money is not drastically better than what you did in early to mid 2000's. I am excluding decks, toons, & cats from this obviously.

I think the "well used" boat market will always be tied to free available cash. I would guess the percentage of buyers financing these well used boats is low. I think the price of well used boats is going to go down, or remain stagnant relative to the rise in costs of a new boat as free cash is eaten up due to inflation/loss of buying power of the dollar. The cost of new generally holds the cost of used up, but I think the cost of new will outpace and continue to climb with the increased cost of goods & business. There will always be business owners & inheritors with money available to buy new, but the market for new will likely shrink.

I guess that didn't really answer the future culture question though. In 10 years, I just pray we can afford to put the fuel in our toys to enjoy them, as its obvious the powers that be want to take the freedom to move freely and enjoy these toys from us.. The cost of fuel/energy drives EVERYTHING.
This topic has me poking around between meetings today. I think @Goodtime$ has a pretty good handle on the void we are discussing. I'm not sure what this costs new, but this seems like it would fit the bill. I don't see a lot of selection of used performance boats that are newer for sale, maybe that will change with the tightening of available cash. Sorry for the link to a competitive sales outlet, best I could find.

Curious how that LSA pushes a 24 with a jet, I bet it is a lot more fun to drive than a floating patio with a blender tied to it's ass.
 

Slick

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2018
Messages
357
Reaction score
592
Here is your bare hull straight from Rusty😁
IMG_1432.png
 

DoughBallin14

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
1,055
Reaction score
1,345
This topic has me poking around between meetings today. I think @Goodtime$ has a pretty good handle on the void we are discussing. I'm not sure what this costs new, but this seems like it would fit the bill. I don't see a lot of selection of used performance boats that are newer for sale, maybe that will change with the tightening of available cash. Sorry for the link to a competitive sales outlet, best I could find.

Curious how that LSA pushes a 24 with a jet, I bet it is a lot more fun to drive than a floating patio with a blender tied to it's ass.
I forgot what todd said when it was first being water tested but if memory is correct it was near 70mph!

But really its 100mph because well JET life
 

evantwheeler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Messages
2,906
Reaction score
5,624
This topic has me poking around between meetings today. I think @Goodtime$ has a pretty good handle on the void we are discussing. I'm not sure what this costs new, but this seems like it would fit the bill. I don't see a lot of selection of used performance boats that are newer for sale, maybe that will change with the tightening of available cash. Sorry for the link to a competitive sales outlet, best I could find.

Curious how that LSA pushes a 24 with a jet, I bet it is a lot more fun to drive than a floating patio with a blender tied to it's ass.
He seems to be one of the only ones targeting the market in discussion, agreed. Cobra still offers some nice smaller boats with the same v-hull molds from the era we are talking. Love the idea of the lighterweight & boosted LSA over a BBC or an iron block NA SBC. I am really surprised we don't see more LS based engines in boats for their power/weight ratio. Please don't take this the wrong way though, but there just isn't that much different about this boat than a mid 2000's ultra 247 other than the fact it was built more recently and has the modern LSA. A used 247 could be had for probably 50-60% of that price, but admittedly there aren't a ton of them out there. Some of the more well kept ones would probably still bring over $50k on used market. It wont have an LSA though.....

I don't think there is a void in the sellers/manufacturer market for smaller boats, I think there is a void in buyers market for new smaller v-hull boat builds due to all which has been stated above.
 

DarkHorseRacing

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
6,463
Reaction score
12,819
This topic has me poking around between meetings today. I think @Goodtime$ has a pretty good handle on the void we are discussing. I'm not sure what this costs new, but this seems like it would fit the bill. I don't see a lot of selection of used performance boats that are newer for sale, maybe that will change with the tightening of available cash. Sorry for the link to a competitive sales outlet, best I could find.

Curious how that LSA pushes a 24 with a jet, I bet it is a lot more fun to drive than a floating patio with a blender tied to it's ass.
I’m curious myself. I’ve been eyeballing LSX 454 SBCs with a Whipple (obviously marinized with the right parts) and it would be fun to try one in a boat.

Not sure a jet would be the best pairing, since jets are very torque dependent, but with a Bravo XR in a smaller boat it would be a kick to drive.

And dang I like that 24 OBWT by Tahiti.
 

Joker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
19,875
Reaction score
15,393
Who's the guy in Huntington building the new 21' tunnels?
 

Gelcoater

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
22,349
Reaction score
38,986
So is Ultra-Sosa cool or no?
Is cool with me?
I shot a bot for him in the past.
I was paid, the agreed upon amount and on time.

I’ve nothing negative to say👍
 

Sportin' Wood

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2,559
Reaction score
7,632
He seems to be one of the only ones targeting the market in discussion, agreed. Cobra still offers some nice smaller boats with the same v-hull molds from the era we are talking. Love the idea of the lighterweight & boosted LSA over a BBC or an iron block NA SBC. I am really surprised we don't see more LS based engines in boats for their power/weight ratio. Please don't take this the wrong way though, but there just isn't that much different about this boat than a mid 2000's ultra 247 other than the fact it was built more recently and has the modern LSA. A used 247 could be had for probably 50-60% of that price, but admittedly there aren't a ton of them out there. Some of the more well kept ones would probably still bring over $50k on used market. It wont have an LSA though.....

I don't think there is a void in the sellers/manufacturer market for smaller boats, I think there is a void in buyers market for new smaller v-hull boat builds due to all which has been stated above.
I agree with you statement about not much new in this space.
 

Melloyellovector

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2014
Messages
3,648
Reaction score
7,768
Wouldn't have thought there would be enough room with the low freeboard... Hoping he can share a picture...
legit suspension seats, fox air shocks fully adjustable ride height, compression and rebound
prp, simson, etc aren’t actual suspension seats it’s just stretchy mesh in the seat base and thats what has been used for wait for it shitada seats lol
IMG_2173.jpeg



Make sure you aim high when you're firing shots across the bow of his hallet like that..
Dave sold his shitada, and what’s he own now, a Hallett! 🎤 drop

and Englewood with the 21’ guys, hotrod shirts and new balance 😂 lmao
Ya may want to look around at the trifecta southbay Avalon chase guys, You’re literally referencing that exact description of your team. Minus the few MTI dcb guys that have them as 2nd 3rd rides etc…
 

Tina7474!

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2024
Messages
51
Reaction score
24
He has already gotten everything out. I'm a friend of the landlord, very, very close friend. He claims everything was stolen. That's a damn lie he has been Taking boats out of here since the 2nd month of rental because My friend the landlord, was on on him to pay his rent? Excuse after excuse, lie after lie. Never Paid his rent, and in the meantime, he was taken everything out of here and as of yesterday, he Pretty much got everything out except for a Things. Not sure what Molds are but maybe they're here?
If he’s gotten wind of this thread I’m sure he will go get all the shit out of the warehouse if he isn’t locked o
 

Tina7474!

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2024
Messages
51
Reaction score
24
He has already gotten everything out. I'm a friend of the landlord, very, very close friend. He claims everything was stolen. That's a damn lie he has been Taking boats out of here since the 2nd month of rental because My friend the landlord, was on on him to pay his rent? Excuse after excuse, lie after lie. Never Paid his rent, and in the meantime, he was taken everything out of here and as of yesterday, he Pretty much got everything out except for a Things. Not sure what Molds are but maybe they're here?
I'm trying to send pics now.
He has already gotten everything out. I'm a friend of the landlord, very, very close friend. He claims everything was stolen. That's a damn lie he has been Taking boats out of here since the 2nd month of rental because My friend the landlord, was on on him to pay his rent? Excuse after excuse, lie after lie. Never Paid his rent, and in the meantime, he was taken everything out of here and as of yesterday, he Pretty much got everything out except for a Things. Not sure what Molds are but maybe they're here?
 

4Waters

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
34,055
Reaction score
86,297
Doesn’t she have to have 20-25 post before you can post pics??🤷
Nope, 10 or something like that to PM, we have a new guy today posting pics in all the hot girls threads, they are top notch BTW😉
 

was thatguy

living in a cage of fear
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
52,961
Reaction score
100,725
Nope, 10 or something like that to PM, we have a new guy today posting pics in all the hot girls threads, they are top notch BTW😉
That’s a smut pedaler pushing a site that will be soliciting right along with the gummie bots each and every day.
I’m surprised it took this long to be honest.
 

4Waters

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2016
Messages
34,055
Reaction score
86,297
That’s a smut pedaler pushing a site that will be soliciting right along with the gummie bots each and every day.
I’m surprised it took this long to be honest.
I agree but the ladies sure are nice
 

was thatguy

living in a cage of fear
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
52,961
Reaction score
100,725
I agree but the ladies sure are nice
Matter of taste I suppose.
Just don’t complain when porno ads eventually outweigh the gummie ads and RDP slows to a crawl and the madd mothers and other groups are lobbying to shut it down completely, and your device keeps opening the “new guys” channel with every click you make. 👌😉
 

was thatguy

living in a cage of fear
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
52,961
Reaction score
100,725
Tarpon guy joined in January.
This new one “OHboater” joined Sunday.
NIETHER has ever posted except in the multiple nude picture threads.
In fact, they only respond to the normal suspects posts in the endless competition over who can download and post the most pictures of females possible.
Why do you think that is?

How do you think they became aware of RDP’s nude threads? Word of mouth? Bot crawlers? Both?

IMG_4826.png
 
Top