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I think the concern here reflects the class of our neighbors to the north. Good people building great boats. I’ve had the honor of meeting with many of them. They are congenial, well informed and sincerely have a passion for their craft. The ability to “work” with a builder can be just as important as the boats they produce. I think Hawk and Brian have noted some key factors in the Westbay scenario, the exchange rate and impact of the boats built offshore.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time on a variety of offshore built boats. A number of them stand out and represent a good price point. However there are also a few of them that lack the attention to detail. Experience plays a major role in building boats and this is clearly evident on some. Quite simply… you might pay less upfront, but it could cost more in the long run. Brand recognition and lineage are important factors in resale, not to mention the aggravation that can be associated with a boat built by a less experienced yard. I’ve seen a couple of US owned companies building boats offshore that lack diligence in detail, long-term guidance and have little regard for customers. The price is attractive at first, but when you look a little closer, you begin to understand why it’s less expensive.
Getting back to Westbay. They build fine boats, among the best, but this in itself may not be enough to compete in a worldwide marketplace anymore. Building boats is MUCH more than arriving at the right look, the right layout, price point, fit, finish, etc. It’s a myriad of other factors that most don’t see. It’s the right management, engineering, yard capability and employee experience. It’s also smart marketing, accountability, customer relations and an innate understanding of people.
You really have to give credit to ANYONE running a shipyard. It’s a daunting task that few could carry.
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