Westport change in offerings

Westport had somewhat announced their 125' yacht. What they hadn't announced was the elimination of smaller yachts. However, to their site now and you see 112', 125', 130', 164'. No sign of the 85' Pacific Mariner or the 98' Westport. Keep emphasizing larger and larger. In the case of the 98, I don't know when they made their last sale, but I don't think anytime recently, so not a real significant change. Now, after the 125', what might they add?

Something in the 148' range was often discussed. Christensen was playing with a 190' fiberglass at one time. Wouldn't be the first time Westport built the largest if they did something in that range. Nor for us, but the 164 is an absolutely incredible yacht. Expedition would be a huge change for them. They have the range already on the 164', but being limited to slow speed isn't Westport's thing.

The 98 wasn't selling at all. The 85 was but then of course the 65 was when they dropped it. I'll take the 65 and 85, add in the Bayliner 4788, 5288, 5788, maybe a 4288 then have a line. Obviously some updates. But Pacific Mariner's sales are well over 200.

I said updated. But same principles of good boats but on the Bayliner types not all the teak and wood, none of the extra cost frills. An affordable boat.

The 65 was also nice and space more than competitive just dated and not very attractive.

Like so many builders moving up, up, and up. Why build 65' when you can sell 130' seems to be a popular thought. Now as to the 65' it was terribly successful but due for an upgrade as was the 85 years ago. That's when the mold of the 85 caught fire, so they built the new mold upgrading the 85. Meanwhile, while waiting for it, they built lots of 65's, but never got around to upgrading it. Then with the new 85 and the very dated 65, they idled the 65.

This now makes the 112 the oldest remaining design and the only remaining Jack Sarin designed hull.

The boat that is converted into larger is the 112'. A very large percentage of purchasers of it do move up to the 130' and with the addition of the 125' to the line, then that might become even more moving up. The 98' wasn't a factor. As to the 85', the distance between it and the next model was too great to get many conversions. Now, previously Pacific Mariner had a lot of 65' customers move up to the 85'.

So as much as I hate seeing the 85' gone, I can't say that will have any impact on the larger boats. In fact, most purchasers of the larger boats weren't even aware of the 85'. It was never fully integrated as a Westport but always a bit separate as a Pacific Mariner.

Well the best thing about Chouest ownership is they are boaters. Gary owned a Westport already. Plus they have money. When you think of all the people who could have purchased Westport, then you're very happy they did. Let's see, all the most recent purchases of large boat manufacturers-we have venture capitalists, Chinese machinery manufacturers, Chinese hospitality groups. Ownership with adequate capital and a passion for boats is hard to come by. I think Rec Boat Holdings was so lucky that Beneteau purchased them. Hatteras and Cabo purchased by Versa. Cabo dead. And honestly for all they've done wrong and deserve criticism for, Brunswick has done pretty well compared to let's say, Genmar....