New Zealand Designers Asks For Your Assistance.

[Sjack]

The hope is to have the Kiwi boat come in somewhere between $35 to $40 max. and it will be loaded.

Why loaded? Why not offer a stripped down version for significantly less?

If you take way nothing else from this board, surely you've noticed how well Mac owners like to mod their own boats.

I would imagine it would be simple enough to offer two "trim" levels.

[AWKIII]

Sjack:

Thanks for the suggestion.

Actually, we are giving some thought to exactly that.

Some of the items that could be dropped and made as options are:

Edson Pedestal Steering with Engine Controls

Hot & Cold Pressurized Water

Teak and Holly Flooring in Cabin

AM/FM CD with 6 Disc Changer with two Cabin Speakers and two Cockpit Speakers

Shore Power

Gennaker

Canvas Mainsail Cover.

[Sjack]

Just my two cents for you...

I often think of items such as those you listed in the same way I think of extras in a car - I can usually get a better one cheaper.

I'm not saying that I could - I just think that way. I think others do also. I think that is why many car dealers have given up on "options" and simply have "trim levels".

I wonder - just thinking out loud - is it worth while to ship the stripped down boats over here (assuming you're building them there) and "upgrade" them here as the market demands?

Where would you build?

[AWKIII]

The basic boat: hull, deck and liner, rigging as well as the trailer will be built in New Zealand and shipped in 40' cargo containers like the Mac and Flying Tiger.

It is much more cost effective than building here due to the exchange rate which impacts everything from labor to materials. Also, the cost of tooling is very reasonable compared to the states.

The final assembly would be done in Colorado just as you suggest.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I'm very "pro" American product, and more so day after day seeing all the "import" stuff thrown at America. I want foreign "friends" to the same intensity, and like our foreign friends very much....however...it's becoming almost impossible to buy "MADE IN AMERICA" anymore. sigh....
My Mac-X does fine, and so do all three of my new Fords. Im not slamming foreign countries, their economies, etc., I'm just saying I like "Made in the U.S.A."

[AWKIII]

Louis,

I used to feel the same way but have come to understand that it is now a global marketplace.

You mention your Fords and Mac.

Your Fords are essentially assembled in the U.S. A big chunk of the components are either foreign made or made from companies within the U.S. that are foreign owned or partially owned.

Same goes for the Mac. The sails are made in Asia as are other parts.

Same goes for the Kiwi boat. There will be Kiwi materials and parts as well as some from other countries.

Sadly, in this day and age, it is hard to find many products that are 100% made in any country.

[Lease]

Replying to Phillip,

I looked a the import scenario as well. In fact, I also looked at importing 2 Mac26 classiscs (the drop keel one - can't remember the suffix) and selling one (they still go for low-mid 30s), as a cost offset.

Whilst it is feasible, there are risks. I got an opinion from AQIS on the water ballast and they replied that if the tanks were empty, that there would be no problems. I have heard a story though, that if they find any growth in there, that they will burn the boat. You also want to make sure that there is no wood in the boat, etc.

I think importing yourself is a risky proposition, though undoubtedly cheaper if you get away with it. Of course an absolute pre-requisite is someone on the ground in the US to look after your interests.

At the moment the folks doing the importing are making hay whilst the sun shines. Also remember that the boats on Boatpoint have the importer's margin as well as the broker's margin in them. You may do better if you approach an importer yourself. There is one in Northern NSW, and at least two in Victoria. Don't know their names, just google import macgregor 26x.

I got a '95 for $46k which I think is a reasonable price for one of these when compared to late model Noelex's and Farr 7500s. The boats in the 60s are way too close to the base price of a new M to be reasonable prospects in my view.

A last word on the trailer. Don't be too hasty about replacement. They can be registered in Victoria as is, so presumably the same in other states. Whilst it is a lightly built, floopy bit of understressed gear that is almost unbelievably built from untreated mild steel, it works, and works well. Don't overlook the 10s of thousands of miles of travel under its belt in the US just because we build tank chassies here to carry boats with. The only thing that is of some concern is the proximity of the max load to the unloaded boat weight, but suspect that the max is not supercritical since you can pull the boat out full of water without everything going to spaghetti. I am still evaluating mine as is, and if it does a couple more trips like the ones so far, and behaves as it has been behaving, then I will be happy to keept the paint up to it and give it regular servicing for as long as it lasts.

[Richard O'Brien]

it's becoming almost impossible to buy "MADE IN AMERICA" anymore. sigh....

I think we have to face that we will soon become a global economy, and the "Made in America" is almost an illusion. Maybe 3-5% of our economy is manufacturing now, 'can't remember the exact figures. I say this as an owner of a manufacturing company, of which all our products are entirely designed and manufactured in our small plant, from local materials.
Fortunately my stuff is too heavy, and fragile to ship reliably, but I feel the pressure of Mexican and Chinese imports daily. Congress has to decide if we can sustain our lifestyles as the acting CEO's, and CFO's of the world? Oh yea! We all remember how that worked with Japan... We'll do the thinkung, and you guys just make the stuff? Of course, the last few times this conflict happened we had The Renaissance, The Industrial revolution, The Bronze age, just to name a few. The losers are places like Africa (no navigable rivers), and the Middle East (dried up, no trade routes now) Their isolationism has left them bereft of modern fortunes.

[baldbaby2000]

AWKIII,

I look forward to seeing drawings if and when you can show them. Yes, I've been to the giant hot dog place in Conifer. It's a short drive for us from work for a quick lunch and makes for a good background for photos. My wife and I will be sailing on Pueblo until this summer when we'll slip our boat on Granby. If you go to either place, feel free to drop me an email and maybe we can meet up. I'm also trying to talk Richard into racing on Chatfield in the Leukemia cup in May. We'll have at least two Macs in the race then. We can be buoys for the Corsairs!

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

...something is wrong when General Motors has "lay offs", and one hears of Ford Motor Corp. having problems. I just think solutions in such cases are old fashioned "American Patriotism"...look for the label: Made in the USA.
The global economy isnt all that bad...creating interdependence, friendships, etc. But Im of the opinion that imports are out of control. I have so much CHINA stuff already...I think I outta fly the China Flag in my front yard instead of "Old Glory".... seems everytime I leave WalMart, I have something from CHINA...and/or didnt buy something else because it was from CHINA.
When I bought my Mac-X, it had a Nissan 50 HP...fine engine, runs great. But, sure wish it was Made in the USA. Ive become more apt to buy Made in the USA, even if it costs a little more.

[AWKIII]

Baldbaby:

I will post the drawings as soon as I get the okay. They are just about finished. The port configuration is what is holding things up. Have seen the first two drafts and I still want something a little different.

I wish Hull #1 would be ready for the Leukemia Cup race. But it looks like it won't be here until late summer or early fall.

Would love to meet up with you and Richard at some point to say hello. Let me know if you guys definitely do the Chatfield thing. I can swing by and help you rig and launch.

I am going to sell my M as soon as I know that the Kiwi boat is going into production. I get dibs on Hull #1

[Richard O'Brien]

AWKIII,
I'm also trying to talk Richard into racing on Chatfield in the Leukemia cup in May. We'll have at least two Macs in the race then. We can be buoys for the Corsairs!

Yea I'm in. I have to woo some crew somehow. i keep my boat there mast-up so i can help AWKlll with your rig maybe. I finally got my mainsail up to the sailmaker to get a cunningham gringle, and have him look at the boltrope to see if it perhaps shrunk. I stretched it out on my lawn, and the entire luff is as puckered as a party dress?

[Phillip]

To Lease
Peter HK
others Colonials

I wonder if we shouldn't open a seperate thread on macGregors/Mach28 so we don't cross wires with this thread.
I have started one calling it MacGregors down under.
Hope that is OK by you all.
Cheers
Phillip

[Richard O'Brien]

AWKlll :
I have to ask this after reading a few online stories of boats that sank , including a J24 at last years nationals. Does the KIWI have positive flotation?

[AWKIII]

Hi Richard:

Never liked the foam flotation system on the Mac. I have a M and a friend has a X. The foam blocks would develop mold once a little water got into the bilges. Plus over time there was always little chuncks of the stuff of the stuff floating around that would drive me crazy. Yes, a little anal I suppose.

Anyways, the Kiwi design will have a flotation system. It just won't be the styrofoam blocks.

Thanks for the question.