MacGregorSailors.com

Phillip:

Thanks for the update.

My guess is this boat is going to be REAL pricey. The website states this as a prototype, which usually means this was a one off. Probably built strip planked with a core as it is the quickest and cheapest way to get your first boat built. Nothing wrong with that though. I'll take a strip planked cored boat any day of the week. Only problem is that it generally means there is no tooling or molds to build another. Have to start from scratch again. Of course, they can always take the prototype and break it into pieces and make a plug and mold from it. Ouch!

This proto has been around for a while. No buyers yet, I believe.

Phillip, you should persist with the Ross people as the 780 is a fabulous boat. It would have been my choice but for:

1. Too heavy to tow; around 2 tonnes

2. Complicated to rig; needs multiple bodies to get the stick up

3. No fast motoring option

4. Realistically a $70,000 proposition

If any of those hurt, go the Mac. There are eight available on Boatpoint right now, including a really well equipped 1998 for $53K.

Spoke with the folks building the Airwave and Ross. It is a three person operation so that is pretty much the reason why it is so difficult to get a hold of.

Geoff advised that they are in the process of building a new Airwave. They are a quasi custom boat. The one under construction has a lot of nice features including a diesel inboard. Price is $110,000.00 U.S. or around $140,000.00 AUS.

He also said they have three orders for Ross 750's which they will start to build after the Airwave.

By the way, he told me that they made a complete set of tooling for the Airwave so they must be serious.

Don't know about the market in Oz, but $110 is a little steep here. There is many new and nearly new boats you can purchase for that kind of money.

Received another post from Geoff at Airwave/Ross.

He advised that the boat that he quoted the $110,000.00 US on was a quasi-custom job. Required some new molds to accomodate some of the owners request.

Said that a regular boat, well equipped, would run about $76,000.00 US. That does not include shipping from Oz and a motor or trailer. These pieces alone will run you at least another $15,000.00. So we are up to $91,000.00 and we haven't started to add electronics, etc.

Still a nice boat. But these numbers are still tough to swallow.

Art

2002 Catalina 36 in brand new condition selling for 75k....given that I cant trailer either one with my cars/trucks Id just as soon get a keelboat.

I dont think there is any market for a $100k delivered trailerable.

Catigale Writes:

"2002 Catalina 36 in brand new condition selling for 75k....given that I cant trailer either one with my cars/trucks Id just as soon get a keelboat.

I dont think there is any market for a $100k delivered trailerable"

Actually there is. There are a plenty of trailerable tri's from Corsair and Reynolds that get up there in price. Then take a look at the sport boat market. Melges 24, Rocket 22 are a couple. Bob Perry Designed Ft-10, a new boat being built in China. Hull #1 hasn't even been splashed and they have 80 orders with deposits. Its pretty easy to get to that century mark today. Annapolis 30, another newbie, has a base price of $70,000.00. She is a performance cruiser and after sails, transport from Europe, trailer and toys, she'll be close too.

Given my druthers, I'd take the Catlina 36 for $75,000.00, which by the way, is a VERY good price. Catalina 310's that age are selling in the high seventies/low eighties.

RE: If any of those hurt, go the Mac. There are eight available on Boatpoint right now, including a really well equipped 1998 for $53K.

For a 26X??? Wow Wow Wow


What are the import duties when bringing a boat into Australia.

What would shipping a container ( with 2 boats inside ) from LA to Sydney cost?

You're too late.

There are about four companies doing just that, right now.

Not as lucrative as you might think, though:

Used boat in US - Say USD 20,0000 = AUD 27,000

Shipping, tax, other duties, agents fees, insurance, transport to and from shipping = AUD 18,0000. Sell for AUD 53,000 will attract a selling agent's commission of around AUD 2,650, which leaves you with about AUD 5,350 margin for your troubles. And that assumes that the buyer doesn't kick you down a couple of grand.

It's a lot of trouble for not a lot of gain.

The needle is certainly pointing toward the MacGregor Lease.
No matter which angle I look at it from, they are a proven well priced production boat that meets a defined market and suits the recreational sailing family.
I wish to querie the price you quoted on shipping from the USA.
Is that for Breakdeck Cargo (when they are secured on top of a container and surrounded by other containers...higher).
The quote I recieved for that was Aud $17,900.
As I understand it, that is one method of moving boats too wide to fit in a container. The other method is roll-on-roll-off like the "Wilhielm" something" line, and they were no cheaper.
I ask this question as I have one quote for shipping out of Port of Los Angeles by Sea-Go International, and it totals Aud$5,500 for a 40' container, to Brisbane.
I am waiting for quotes for ANL Container Line out of Port Of New York and Port of Long beach for 40' containers. The chap reckons he can beet Sea-Go International......will wait and see.
Now do I have my facts correct....do Mac26's fit in to a 40' container?. I am sure i have read that many times. Am I correct? (if i am not, i am in deep doo-doo and wasting my time.)
If you run the figues along these lines then there is a considerable savings.
If you have any thoughts, pass them on. I certainly listen
Cheers
Phillip

Moondance: sorry I didn't refer to you in last post.
In the post is the cost for a 40' container out of LA to Brisabane.
There is an extra charge for a second boat in the container, but it is not a lot.
I am now starting to be concenred - does a mac fit in to a container?.
Cheers
Phillip

The thing that sets Roger apart from these guys is his business formula as worked for 30 years+....even the guys with lots of orders havent proven that they will be around with their model...

Boat building is a brutal business and anyone who goes into it has my deepest respect for business guts...

You can always fly to Calif. buy a nice new Mac and sail it back home . Save a bundle that way. Maybe MadMike will take it for you.

Phillip:

The Mac will fit in a 40 foot container. There is no need to pay the extra cartage for something more. The next bump up, which it appears is what they are quoting you is for boats either larger in length and or beam.

You should not be paying any more than $3,500.00 U.S. for transport only. That is one of the bids we received for shipping a 28 footer from New Zealand to Los Angeles.

It is a going to be a tight squeeze beam wise. It is critical that the boat is loaded by with plenty of foam padding to eliminate any damage from movement.

Art

Catigale writes:

"The thing that sets Roger apart from these guys is his business formula as worked for 30 years+....even the guys with lots of orders havent proven that they will be around with their model...

Boat building is a brutal business and anyone who goes into it has my deepest respect for business guts.."

Catigale, not be be argumentative, but Corsair is closing in on its 20th anniversary and Buddy Melges and his boat line has been around for much longer than that. Hunter got their start in the 1970's with the 25. Catalina also started small and worked up. Robert Perry is the designer of the FT-10. He is arguably one of the most influential sailboat designers alive today. 80 orders for a one design sailboat prior to hitting the water is an incredible success. What is important to look at when this occurs is the geographical distribution of those orders. You need at least two in an area for class racing. They have acheived that. Things should get only better for them as long as they don't get greedy and price it out of reach for the average Joe. This is a 34 footer for around $40,000.00 without sails or transport.

Boatbuilding can be a brutal business. But it really isn't much different than any other. You need sufficient working capital and a product line that is driven by the consumer's needs. Most new boats/builders that fail do so for one or both of those reasons.