New Boat Build

i am not one to comment on costs, but i do have some experience on different quality yachts. i have always liked the company 'nordlund' which builds yachts out of tacoma. they might be more expensive then an italian semi production but it sounds like you want something very specific. they are known for building around an owners wants. i worked for someone who used to own a nordlund and i have a friend who is a captain on one - they love nordlund. i would advise you to pay them a visit.

Hi Don,

You should look into Horizon's Vision series. I think it fits pretty well to what you described. There is a 68 and 74 feet version with 20'6" beam. It comes in either an enclosed skylounge version or open flybridge. 3 cabins with a possible 4th cabin in the stern for crew if you want. Since it's a Horizon, customizing is possible. It's quite an impressive boat with a very large interior volume due to the beam. Especially so in the full beam master cabin. Have a look at it. Cheers.

A rough estimate for a Dutch custom would start around 3 mln euros and will rise when build in Aluminium. You should prepare a list with specific demands and overall equipment to get a more accurate price.
Classification is also a subject in calculation.

Because of the euro/ dollar exchange rate you should probably check for an american build first.

Don. One thing to consider is re-sale. While you may be able to handle the maintenance and navigation of a 70' yacht, you will severely limit your pool of potential buyers when it is time to move on to something else if you eliminate the crew area. Perhaps you might consider spending a little more on the decor of the crew cabin so that you could use it as an additional stateroom for guests.

Don,
Ken is correct to consider resale. Custom yachts are often built because the buyer can not find what he wants in a production boat. The major builders design to appeal to the greatest numbers in their market niche, and for resale these boats still have market appeal and demand more dollars. A one of a kind custom is very expensive to build and has a limited market for potential buyers later. This is especially true in the size range you talk about.
I got an email once from a boater who was in the process of finishing a custom build and the cost overruns were taking the boat beyond his budget. He asked me about selling it for him and I explained if a buyer can afford to pay extra for a custom build, he is going to want to make it his own custom build not someones elses choices.

set the mater straight

Tucker,
You describe a very specific situation in your reply which is not representative for the custom yacht market.

A custom yacht is not necessarily more expensive than a good production yacht. There are however excesses where a customer requires a pack of turbines or other unusual details. This could indeed result in a yacht that is hard to sell.

In general a typical custom yacht owner has already owned one or several production boats. Their custom is designed with their experiences and the shortcomings of production boats. This does not make it a weird or unusual yacht. Main issues of custom yacht owners are the fact that they are not content with the build and finishing quality, they want a specific layout or they simply want a better and more unique design because they have enough of seeing a similar yacht in every port they enter. Also the fact that the yacht doesn't perform the way the customer expects is an often heard reason.

On most custom yachts in this size range, the crew quarters are usually built in the same way the other cabins are. A simple crew accomodation is something you'll find on production boats. On customs, the crew is usually taken better care of.
These crew cabins can also be used for guests in an owner operated yacht.

The issue with the increasing costs must also be specific for this matter.
Building a custom requires honesty, integrity and transparancy.
A customer is informed about the final price before the start of construction.
Small changes are very common, but the owner is always thoroughly informed about possible extra costs before the changes are executed.

Another strong point for customs is that owners keep these yachts for an avarage of 10 to 15 years. With the better quality of a custom the customer can rest assured that his yacht will look and feel the same way as it did on the day of delivery, if the yacht is looked after in an appropriate way.

Customs are usually sold within six month after they go on sale.
Second hand customs are usually bought by people that are looking for a production yacht that want the extra quality and individuality.

Bjorn says "Customs are usually sold within six months after they go on the market."
I wish that was true, I would try to list all custom yachts and get them sold quickly!!!
I did a quick search on Yacht World of power boats between 69 and 71 feet, as 70 feet is the size Don mentioned. I refined it as built after 1985 to eliminate unknown condition, and also only in Florida, my market.

There were 57 boats for sale, of which I would call 6 of them custom.

1998 71' Custom aluminum came on the market 4/05 at $535,000 now asking $375,000 since 10/06

2000 70' Custom expedition- came on market 4/06 at $1,349,000 now at $975,000 since 8/07

1985 70' Infinity $1,200,000 as of 6/06 now $874,995 as of 11/06

1989 70' Kong and Halvorson just came on the market 9/07

1997 70' Cary $999,999 as of 4/06 $595,000 12/07

2003 70 Tribute S.F. $3,700,000 as of 4/07 $3,600,00 as of 10/07

I agree with most of what Bjorn says, buyers who build custom yachts are more experienced, and they keep them longer than the 4 year average in the US. I do not agree that they sell within six months and that they may not be more expensive than a production boat.

Hi Tucker,

I was also refering to my own market which are mostly dutch customs of the known yards. They tend to sell like hot cakes, even when used. Exceptions like large mega yachts and simply ugly yachts not included.

I have offers in the market for a number of custom dutch sailingyachts which are priced the same as for example an Oyster yacht and with even better specs. Since Oyster is one of the top production sailingyacht builders, I would like to point out that they are equally priced to the top end of the production market.

It seems that the Floridian market is not the easiest to operate in
In Holland we say "there's a lid for every pot" so I'm sure they will all find an owner. Only a pitty of the major price reductions needed.

By the way; A happy new year to you and may the forces of fortune be with you.

Possibly the American experience with custom yachts is simply very, very different from Europe? Frankly a lot of the US custom yachts have an amateur appearance to me ....

wude Kelly

Kelly,

You have a very good point there.

But to get back to the topic;

Don,

Did you get any wiser yet or just more confused?

2008 Seattle Boat Show

I'll be heading out to the 2008 Seattle Boat Show today (01/25/08). I plan on shooting some editorial images early next week, just re-con today.

Any exhibitors I should look for? Anybody need any shots of a particular boat? If so I'll try to grab an image or two and post them to my site around February 2nd. You can send me your wish list of images off board, or PM me.

Thomas

Seattle Boat Show

I wont be back at the show until the 28th, then again on the 1st. One of our Flotilla members is giving a presentation on those days so I'll go for moral support.

I did see the Horizon's today, but the one that stole my heart was the Coastal Craft 420. What a Boat!

Im going to grab some shots of that one for sure.

Yea... Snow tomorrow, up to four inches. But it will go away pretty quick.