Price increase from Cobalt. Plenty proud..

[Tuscany]

Just built an 18' with the same equipment.
Since Cobalt no longer uses the attractive stainless docking light cans on the bow, the price of the docking lights actually came down by roughly $750.00. Considering that "credit", my exact same boat would list roughly $9,000.00 more for 2018. pretty shocking since there aren't the major technology and fabric improvements the 17' made over the 16'.
Ad a few more items like the SS arch, the 430 and a few more doo-dads, and you are looking at a 200K family bow rider.
I guess they have faith in the economy.

[cmattj]

Just built an 18' with the same equipment.
Since Cobalt no longer uses the attractive stainless docking light cans on the bow, the price of the docking lights actually came down by roughly $750.00. Considering that "credit", my exact same boat would list roughly $9,000.00 more for 2018. pretty shocking since there aren't the major technology and fabric improvements the 17' made over the 16'.
Ad a few more items like the SS arch, the 430 and a few more doo-dads, and you are looking at a 200K family bow rider.
I guess they have faith in the economy.

Do you think that Malibu purchasing Cobalt has anything to do with it?
23 foot ski boats are 200k?
And 30 year financing has hurt the boating price structure.. go back to 10-15 year loans and pricing on non yacht style boats would be realistic .

[Skiingstrongman]

Do you think that Malibu purchasing Cobalt has anything to do with it?
23 foot ski boats are 200k?
And 30 year financing has hurt the boating price structure.. go back to 10-15 year loans and pricing on non yacht style boats would be realistic .

Prices are up across the entire market. Even the used market is soaring. I follow it pretty closely and you'll see some lightly used high end fishing boats selling for more than the buyer paid because the new boats are so much higher.

[cmattj]

+agree Its a good and bad thing.
I was told that after 10 years of age the ability to finance Boats becomes extremely Expensive in interest rates and some Loan companies don't even consider it.

Good for us the economy has been steady over that last few years. I would Love to order a new boat someday but ill just keep ording used ones as I always have..

[liquid]

Do you think that Malibu purchasing Cobalt has anything to do with it?
23 foot ski boats are 200k?
And 30 year financing has hurt the boating price structure.. go back to 10-15 year loans and pricing on non yacht style boats would be realistic .

Prices are up across the entire market. Even the used market is soaring. I follow it pretty closely and you'll see some lightly used high end fishing boats selling for more than the buyer paid because the new boats are so much higher.

Agree. I'm looking at some center consoles in the Florida area... might be some more gently used after Irma blows through.

[AsLan7]

Informative article addressing new boat sales:


Boat sales in the United States and in North Carolina are up, thanks to the economy and disposable income.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/2017 ... ore-owners


Some interesting quotes:

--"a strong economy and recreational confidence in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington has produced “phenomenal” sales for his company in 2017."

--“We have some models that are sold out until after the year,” he said."

--“We have a waiting list for storage space,” he said. “We typically have one, but never to the extent it is currently. The biggest deterrent to buying right now just might be (the lack of) storage space.”

--"more baby boomers purchase them to live aboard them and travel area waters."

--"one of the biggest motivations behind the upward trend is the universal appeal of a boat for the family."

--"They just want to have some family time,” he said. “The boating industry involves recreation the whole family can take part in.”


Hopefully the same thing is happening with CoBu. ....Bring on the Cobalt members!

.

[Alaskabound]

Tuscany, just priced mine out with same features and it was about $4,500 more. Feel like I just made some money lol.

Dub

[Southernboatman]

You go Dub! I do feel like they made a stupid mistake changing the docking lights. The way they have been for years was much a brand statement/look as anything. Someone needs to rethink that one. And I think they should have been less $ even then where almost every order would have added them. I use mine, plus I like them for the look. New one might skip it.
Oh and the price increase- yes as others pointed out, only possible for boat prices to be enabled higher by the finance industry. It is a bit rediculous.

[Tuscany]

I bought the dock lights strictly on looks alone. I also felt it was a Cobalt "signature look", and every Cobalt should have them.

[Southernboatman]

I bought the dock lights strictly on looks alone. I also felt it was a Cobalt "signature look", and every Cobalt should have them.

Yes. As they should.

[Tuscany]

Tuscany, just priced mine out with same features and it was about $4,500 more. Feel like I just made some money lol.

Dub

Haha, you did my friend
The more prices increase, the less depreciation for new and late model buyers.

[Soonerfan]

I was able to get a 18 model at 17 prices. One of the reason I pulled the trigger quickly was that my dealer told me prices were going up 3.5% and that I would be getting a deal if I ordered when I did. He was actually correct as mine went up almost 7k overnight.