Sea Sport Acquisition
- Thread starter Cfoster
- Start date
This has been discussed here right after it first happened. Do a search on Sea Sport and you'll come up with several threads.
As far as an opinion: this is a free one... I think it's great that someone picked up the C-Dory molds and name and will continue the line. The C-Dorys are completely different from anything Sea Sport currently makes and should be a good addition to their production. They have a good reputation for producing quality boats.
As far as an opinion: this is a free one... I think it's great that someone picked up the C-Dory molds and name and will continue the line. The C-Dorys are completely different from anything Sea Sport currently makes and should be a good addition to their production. They have a good reputation for producing quality boats.
This has been hashed over a lot here, See:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... cdory+sold
Kitsap Marine has received at least one Sea Sport produced CD-16. After meeting the Sea Sport crew at the Bellingham CBGT, I think it's a good thing for all involved!
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... cdory+sold
Kitsap Marine has received at least one Sea Sport produced CD-16. After meeting the Sea Sport crew at the Bellingham CBGT, I think it's a good thing for all involved!
Don and Brenda
New member
I just purchased my used 2007 22 from the SeaSport dealer in Bellingham and I worked with Jon Lindhout, very pleased and a great group of people at the dealer. The previous owner purchased a 24' SeaSport as he wanted to go faster and fish year round.
matt_unique
New member
Roger offers a good link for the thread discussing the varied and strong opinions.
I wonder if SeaSport is planning on having a few new C-dorys for the 2010 SBS? I am aware of the costs involved in building non-ordered boats, but it sure would seem to make business since to have a few new ones to look at for future sales. Times are tough but I once had a wise man tell me that you have to spend money to make money. If anyone has any information on the plans for boats to display at the boat show please fill us in.
Okay I have to add my small two cents here.. I think that Sea Sport will do an excellent job with C-Dory. I contacted them right after they bought C-Dory . I needed prizes to give out..I thought it was a customer service guy answering me, saying he would send me some items. Once I stopped to really read the email it was from the new big boss. I was impressed that he had time to talk to me here in NC. So I'm guessing customer service is important to them ! 
Tracy
Tracyjack&susan
New member
I had the opportunity to visited the C-Dory/Sea Sport factory in Bellingham in late September. I am seriously thinking of ordering a new 22 Cruiser when I get my financial house in order, had a lot of questions and wanted to see the process up close. Jeff Lindhout took me on a very informative tour, was very patient in answering my questions and also brought in a couple of his longtime, experienced employees to explain certain parts of the process in greater detail. One employee in particular, Scott, was very helpful in explaining the process of building the fiberglass components, especially the hull and core details. I am a bit concerned about water intrusion and the effect on the balsa core. Jeff informed me that, if I wanted, they would build my boat with a foam core.
I asked Jeff what the future of C-Dory was and he assured me that they will continue building the boats, improving them when they see the opportunity. I was impressed with the personalized service and left the factory with the distinct impression that the purchase of C-Dory by Sea Sport will only have the effect of improving the C-Dory line. I look forward to the day when I can launch my own CD for the first time.
Jack
I asked Jeff what the future of C-Dory was and he assured me that they will continue building the boats, improving them when they see the opportunity. I was impressed with the personalized service and left the factory with the distinct impression that the purchase of C-Dory by Sea Sport will only have the effect of improving the C-Dory line. I look forward to the day when I can launch my own CD for the first time.
Jack
Matt Gurnsey
New member
Big Mac":227t9bgh said:
Keep in mind that the Seattle Boat Show is a dealer driven "Boat Selling" show- so whatever is in dealer's inventory is what will be at the show.
If I had to guess, based on where we are in the year and when the show is, I expect that the only 2010 that would be there might be a 255 Tomcat. We have an almost complete line up of 2009 boats at this point, so won't be ordering 2010's until these are sold.
That being said, if the C-Brats wanted to be sure of 2010 boats at the show, they could be sure all of our 2009's are sold before then.... :lol:
matt_unique
New member
thataway":213or139 said:
For those new to the board we had an extensive discussion about the warranty issue here:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... t=warranty
For me there are two parts to the Sea Sport acquisition, how they treat current customers and how well they produce boats going forward. We know about the first as it relates to warranty, the latter is yet to be seen.
Why not cut to the chase instead of refering to a 10 page posting? 2009 and before C Dories do not have a facotry warantee. That is what new buyers/list readers should be informed of. The dealer may help out, but that may be variable. This is not to bring up the thread again, but Matt suggested that Sea Sport will not build boats until the 2009 inventory is sold. The buyer must be informed of the consiquences of this.
Hopefully the dealers will be honest at the boat show and when presenting a 2009 boat and state in writing on the price that there is no factory warantee.
Hopefully the dealers will be honest at the boat show and when presenting a 2009 boat and state in writing on the price that there is no factory warantee.
We are considering some new product for the Southeastern winter shows such as Atlanta and perhaps Biloxi or Pensacola or Mobile. We are also needing to move our '09s . We have had no major warranty problems with Fluid Marine boats . The problem is not the warranty , its the lack of buyers.
Marc
Marc
To Marc or Matt: I'm curious as to how C-Dory sales have held up from 2008 to present as compared with sales of other makes? Any additional change in this market share ratio since C-Dory's latest transfer of ownership? I'm well aware that all boat sales are slow right now, but would value a dealer's perspective on what, if anything, is tending to hold up better in this market. Thanks, Mike.
Matt Gurnsey
New member
I think I was the first one to clarify that there is no factory warranty on 2009 or earlier C-Dory product, as there is no factory any more.
However, the quality of the Fluid boats has been excellent, and I don't imagine that there will be hull or structural issues. Everything else in the boat does have a warranty, usually one year from the manufactuere of the component. Additionally, we are covering many small warranty items for our customers, including some items that wouldn't have been covered by the Fluid warranty.
The opportunity here is to save thousands over a 2010 model year boat, as there will be price inreases from Sea Sport, and as dealers we need to move the existing inventory and we are aggresively marketing the existing boats.
So consider this an opportuity to save money by self warrantying the hull of the boat. For peace of mind, have the hull surveyed. A good surveyor should be able to find any structural issues if they existed.
As far as sales of boats- C-Dory is one of the few manufacturers who made a significant number of 2009 product. Many brands had too much 2008 product on dealers lots, and either ran plants at very low capacity, or idled them entirely. Brunswick closed a number of plants, permannently eliminated thousands of jobs, and still idled their plants for most of the 2009 model year.
This has happened before in the early 1980's- try finding a used 1982 boat- very hard to do because of the very low production levels from that recession. In the future, 2009 boats will be hard to find used because so few were built.
We ordered inventory based on 2008 sales level, and still have product left over. So we won't be ordering a 2010 22 Cruiser for stock until the two 2009's we have left are gone.
I sense some frustration here about that, but the situation is what it is. Sea Sport won't build boats until dealers order them. Dealers won't order boats until they have sold the 2009's or have a 2010 sold. And banks won't give dealers the money to floor product until some of the older inventory is gone.
Keep in mind that a 2010 will cost anywhere from $5000 to $15,000 more, depending on model, than the 2009 in stock.
Want to get some 2010 product out in the feild? Help us sell the remaining 2009's. Because right now the deck is stacked against the dealers, and the manufacturer. Dealers make a huge investment in product to have in stock for showing prospective buyers, both at our lot and at the boat show. Until some of that investment is recaptured, we're stuck.
So, yes, there will be 2009 product at the Seattle Boat Show. In fact, if enough dealers can convince the boat show committee, there is a chance you'll see 2008 product at the show. Current rules allow the showing of boats whose model year is the same as the show year, or the model year immediately preceeding it.
Which is why there was so much left over 2008 product at most booths in last year's show. We were one of the few brands to have a large supply of 2009 boats in stock.
We C-Dory dealers are paying the price for that now.
However, the quality of the Fluid boats has been excellent, and I don't imagine that there will be hull or structural issues. Everything else in the boat does have a warranty, usually one year from the manufactuere of the component. Additionally, we are covering many small warranty items for our customers, including some items that wouldn't have been covered by the Fluid warranty.
The opportunity here is to save thousands over a 2010 model year boat, as there will be price inreases from Sea Sport, and as dealers we need to move the existing inventory and we are aggresively marketing the existing boats.
So consider this an opportuity to save money by self warrantying the hull of the boat. For peace of mind, have the hull surveyed. A good surveyor should be able to find any structural issues if they existed.
As far as sales of boats- C-Dory is one of the few manufacturers who made a significant number of 2009 product. Many brands had too much 2008 product on dealers lots, and either ran plants at very low capacity, or idled them entirely. Brunswick closed a number of plants, permannently eliminated thousands of jobs, and still idled their plants for most of the 2009 model year.
This has happened before in the early 1980's- try finding a used 1982 boat- very hard to do because of the very low production levels from that recession. In the future, 2009 boats will be hard to find used because so few were built.
We ordered inventory based on 2008 sales level, and still have product left over. So we won't be ordering a 2010 22 Cruiser for stock until the two 2009's we have left are gone.
I sense some frustration here about that, but the situation is what it is. Sea Sport won't build boats until dealers order them. Dealers won't order boats until they have sold the 2009's or have a 2010 sold. And banks won't give dealers the money to floor product until some of the older inventory is gone.
Keep in mind that a 2010 will cost anywhere from $5000 to $15,000 more, depending on model, than the 2009 in stock.
Want to get some 2010 product out in the feild? Help us sell the remaining 2009's. Because right now the deck is stacked against the dealers, and the manufacturer. Dealers make a huge investment in product to have in stock for showing prospective buyers, both at our lot and at the boat show. Until some of that investment is recaptured, we're stuck.
So, yes, there will be 2009 product at the Seattle Boat Show. In fact, if enough dealers can convince the boat show committee, there is a chance you'll see 2008 product at the show. Current rules allow the showing of boats whose model year is the same as the show year, or the model year immediately preceeding it.
Which is why there was so much left over 2008 product at most booths in last year's show. We were one of the few brands to have a large supply of 2009 boats in stock.
We C-Dory dealers are paying the price for that now.
marvin4239
New member
Just curious and don't want to beat a dead horse but if someone wished to buy a 2009 but the warranty issue stopped them wouldn't it be possible to get some sort of aftermarket warranty. Maybe even Sea Sport could provide one for a price. I really see this as a huge problem for the future of C-Dory I expect good deals can be had but I'm sure the Dealers can't give these boats away.