Mix and match boat packages

[Navy Jr.]

Here's a question that might get this newby in trouble, but here goes anyway...

Let's say you want to buy a particular brand and model boat, but the company that makes it is owned by a company that also owns another company that builds outboard motors. Let's say the name of the boat company is "Brund," the name of the parent company is "Lunswick," and the name of the company that builds the motors is named "Misery."

Now, for the sake of argument, let's say you like the Brund boat, but you'd rather have a different motor than the Misery engine marketed by Lunswick. Let's call that motor "E-Jec" made by a company called Kevindude.

Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with the Misery engine; you think you'd simply be happier with the E-Jec, that's all.

So let's skip ahead to the big boat show held in January. Over here is the Brund boat display with their Misery motors, and over there is the Kevindude display of their E-Jec motors.

Isn't there a way to order the Brund boat "sans power", walk over to the E-Jec display and order their engine, then take your new boat when it arrives to an authorized dealer to have them rig the new E-Jec motor onto the new Brund boat?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

Ayuh,...........

I'm Sure that both of the salesmen will take your money,+ You'll get Exactly what you want......
But,........
You'll be forfeiting the Package Pricing,+ 1 Stop Servicing..................

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

sure. Any dealer will sell you just the boat and you can go anywhere and buy the motor to have it install. The boats at the boat show will already have whatever motor on it so you will probably have to "special" order one. As I understand it the boats don't come with motors on them from the factory. The dealer installs the motors. Just buy a boat.

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

I believe it is possible to do this.

You will, as you said just order them separately which will unfortunately cost you more. Usually when you buy a package deal it is much cheaper than buying the 2 items separately.

If you can find a dealer that sells an E-tec and Lunds, check with him and see if he can order them separately. He will try and talk you out of it but I think he should be able to do it. You might get a bit of a discount if you order both from him.

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

Wow, you two replied while I was still typing.

I need to take a typing lesson.

 

[KCook]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

I theory you can do that. But you will pay more, as the others already said. If you have a strong preference for the E-Jec motor then I would just go with the boat your E-Jec dealer offers. Get over the Brund lust.

wude Kelly

 

[Expidia]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

I could have opted for a Yamaha when I boat my Lund/Merc package.

One thing though many boats like the Lund now come from the factory already cabled for the Merc, so it will cost extra to swap out an outboard of a different brand.

That's why they call it a "package" deal. Many boat brands have deals now with Yamaha, Honda etc and sell as a package.

Most reputable dealers will sell you what ever you want though. It's just going to cost extra.

What ever you're thinking of spending . . . double and maybe triple it.

I started out over last winter looking for a few year old 15 foot rig in the 8k range. My experience showed me it's hard to find one in your own area. You need to be willing to look on Craigslist and be willing to drive a radius of at least a few states over from your home.

Also if a used boat is a cream puff it is usually snapped up by a friend or relative of the owner before it ever hits the for sale lists. Many just post a for sale sign on the boat and put it on their front lawn. Only to be snapped up quickly by a local.

So I said screw it I'll buy new one and pulled into a marina while I was driving around one day last March looking for a used one. I looked at the 2007 Alumacraft 145 with a 25 Johnson for around $8500. But as I mentioned to you in another thread when I saw the build quality of the Lund I stretched and spent $11000 with a new 2006 (a left over) 30 EFI ELPT Merc and the 2007 1425 Classic SC (I already had the trailer and the electronics, troller etc) Not enough power so I traded it back to the dealer for the 2007 40 Merc. Then my trailer turned out to be too small and I had to by a new larger one.

I mention all of this because I just added up what I spent on the boat plus accessories since I took delivery in June. I did this for my own curiosity and to have a record of what I bought for insurance purposes.

I just surpassed $19,480 since June (not including the extra gas for trailering and cruising around). I'm looking forward to next season just having to pay for gas

Most of the accessories I bought with the hopes of using them on my next boat like GPS/Fishfinder combo, Stereo system, VHF Handheld etc. and I paid cash for everything so no payments over the winter and for the next 5 years.

So like I said . . . double whatever you're thinking of spending or hunt down a name brand few year old rig over the winter from a private party.

This is a great way to save big bucks rather than buying new from a dealer. Because this way a lot of the accessories are already on the boat. Many sellers get cash strapped, getting a divorce or just want out of boating. but it's going to take homework to find a good deal!

 

[F_R]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

There's a lesson in there somewhere. Price-based packages might have the bare minimum in power or accessories, or the trailer. Make sure you can live with the cheapo package if that is what you are considering. Kind of like buying a car without power steering or AC. (do they still make them that way?) You will hate it long after you forget about the money you saved.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mix and match boat packages

i had this discussion with a marketing director of the Dayliner,Lunswick. my point was it is my money, i'm going to spend it on what i want. not what you are trying to force down my throat. the dealer gets a bigger mark up on the packages, than the non package. it basically screws up the production line when a hull doesn't go thru the complete line.