Feeling pretentious/snobby about boat brand/make

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MrsRobinson

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I am not sure my Subject is the right way of saying how I am feeling. I was under contract for a 2005 Formula 37PC. After learning more about the boat I ended up rejecting it. She was a beauty: https://www.marineconcepts.net/boats-for-sale/2005-formula-37-pc-portsmouth-virginia-7706392/

I've owned a Sea Ray and a Regal, both great boats. Under the covers, if you will, I am aware they are all mostly the same except for fit and finish.

I am now under contract on a privately owned 2002 Wellcraft Martinique 3700: https://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/d/hopewell-2002-wellcraft-martinique-3700/7306956092.html

It's in excellent condition, well cared for, passed engine inspections yesterday, fits me well (I am 6'3"), seller reminds me of myself when it comes to maintenance, service, care etc.

I just can't seem to get over "it's not a Formula though". I hate that I feel that way, I feel like a snob. I am getting the Wellcraft for over $40K less than the Formula too. As a cash buyer that leaves a nice chunk of change in my wallet. I felt similar when I purchased my last Monterey, though I ended up loving the boat and never had any issues with it.

I guess I am just talking/sharing to see if others have had a similar experience.


Thanks
 
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I know what you are saying - when I bought my Wellcraft Excalibur in 1999, I was a young punk looking for a hot rod. I really wanted a Baja, or maybe a Donzi. And I thought that the Mariah's were nice and flashy looking. But I ended up with the Wellcraft - the Excalibur to me was a low budget version of the Baja. But try to find a late 90's Baja still on the water today, that hasn't had serious stringer or transom issues. Same with the Donzi's of that Vintage. And my Wellcraft keeps chugging along, gelcoat almost as shiny as the day it was new.

Perhaps I'm understating the issue a bit - the feel of a Formula, when pounding through a wake, it beats my boat, no doubt. And the resale is a bit easier with the flashy brands. But 20 grand? I'm still sort of young, can handle a little pounding. :)

And that being said, you need to love your boat, irrationally. If it's a Formula you want, and all the Wellcraft has going for it is 20% cheaper asking price --- I would think long and hard before closing the deal. In other words, If it's just the name 'Formula' ( and the Corian countertops) that excites you - buy the Wellcraft. But if the look and feel of the Formula does it for you, and the Wellcraft's appeal is only the lower price --- I would go find a Formula.

"she is a beauty" vs '"the engines were well maintained" ? hmm, I know what I would do if I were you :)
 
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I prefer the cockpit in the Wellcraft to the Formula, wider, more room, better upholstery and no steps.

I prefer the open cabin, center forward berth and wood floor in the Formula. I do not like the upholstery in the cabin on the Formula, that fluffy look.

I prefer the stainless steel windshield on the Formula.

I like the height of the Formula, it looks tall, Wellcraft feels squatty.

I prefer the molded in swim platform on the Formula to the "bolted on" look on the Wellcraft.

The blue hull is gorgeous and I love the hardtop on the Formula.

But are these things really worth $$40K+. I said $20k earlier, that was for the one I rejected. These model Formula's are selling for $120k+ in as good a condition as this Wellcraft.

And yeah, it's probably all marketing, but the Formula just feels better.
 
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buy the wellcraft, in ten years when the gelcoat gets chalky, spend 15k to have it painted blue! you'll still end up way ahead.
 
WELLCRAFT PROS:
  • I prefer the cockpit in the Wellcraft to the Formula, wider, more room, better upholstery and no steps.

FORMULA PROS:
  • I prefer the open cabin, center forward berth and wood floor in the Formula. I do not like the upholstery in the cabin on the Formula, that fluffy look.
  • I prefer the stainless steel windshield on the Formula.
  • I like the height of the Formula, it looks tall, Wellcraft feels squatty.
  • I prefer the molded in swim platform on the Formula to the "bolted on" look on the Wellcraft.
  • The blue hull is gorgeous and I love the hardtop on the Formula.
But are these things really worth $$40K+. I said $20k earlier, that was for the one I rejected. These model Formula's are selling for $120k+ in as good a condition as this Wellcraft.
YES - to you they are and probably the next guy tooo.

And yeah, it's probably all marketing, but the Formula just feels better.
NO - That's not marketing, you just showed us tangible examples.
 
Ha, interesting you did the "Pros " for me. I was thinking exactly the same after I went back and looked at my post. More Pros for the Formula.

I am still not sure any of my "Pros" logically are worth $40k more.
 
To my eye, the Wellcraft has much more beautiful, classic lines than the tubby (sorry) Formula. I do prefer that island queen in the Formula, though.

If I'm understanding correctly, you have the W under contract, and no leads on an F. So I have to ask how important is for you to have a boat this summer because I think it's very unlikely that you'll find the right Formula anytime soon.

Buy the pretty Wellcraft with well-maintained engines. In a year or two, when all the newbie boat owners of '20 and '21 get tired of their expensive, high-maintenance toys, the prices will come down, and you can find your Formula if you're still lusting after it.
 
Nancy said:
To my eye, the Wellcraft has much more beautiful, classic lines than the tubby (sorry) Formula. I do prefer that island queen in the Formula, though.

If I'm understanding correctly, you have the W under contract, and no leads on an F. So I have to ask how important is for you to have a boat this summer because I think it's very unlikely that you'll find the right Formula anytime soon.

Buy the pretty Wellcraft with well-maintained engines. In a year or two, when all the newbie boat owners of '20 and '21 get tired of their expensive, high-maintenance toys, the prices will come down, and you can find your Formula if you're still lusting after it.
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Well said, I've been boat less too long, I miss the water and I ain't getting any younger :)
 
I have owned a Bayliner 28’ Command Bridge, a Wellcraft 24’ Sportsman, a 20’ Wellcraft Step V, and 2 20’ Trophy’s. All have fit my needs and performed well. Personally I’m not impressed by names. Choose whatever you are comfortable with.
 
Nancy said:
Buy the pretty Wellcraft with well-maintained engines. In a year or two, when all the newbie boat owners of '20 and '21 get tired of their expensive, high-maintenance toys, the prices will come down, and you can find your Formula if you're still lusting after it.
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It's funny you say that...we want to move up to something bigger but I refuse to pay the over inflated prices out there right now on everything I have looked at. I have told my wife that we'll just wait until some of the 2020 impulse buyers realize all that boat ownership entails and decide to get out then start shopping.
 
Brian N said:
It's funny you say that...we want to move up to something bigger but I refuse to pay the over inflated prices out there right now on everything I have looked at. I have told my wife that we'll just wait until some of the 2020 impulse buyers realize all that boat ownership entails and decide to get out then start shopping.
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Same here, I said that last year as well, but it continues. Every broker I talk to states it's insane with no end in site. They are seeing first time boat buyers purchasing 40' boats.

BoatUS and mechanics are loving it :)

I shared this boat with a reputable broker I trust (did I really just say that?) and he said "buy it, you got a good boat for a good price". It's a private seller and so far the experience has been wonderful.
 
MrsRobinson said:
Same here, I said that last year as well, but it continues. Every broker I talk to states it's insane with no end in site. They are seeing first time boat buyers purchasing 40' boats.

BoatUS and mechanics are loving it :)

I shared this boat with a reputable broker I trust (did I really just say that?) and he said "buy it, you got a good boat for a good price". It's a private seller and so far the experience has been wonderful.
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This is true. Just lost a 35 ft. boat this week to a first timer who doesn't need a survey. Sucks for him as he won't be aware of the need to address the elevated moisture in the bow before it become a real problem it 2-3 years.
 
Golfman25 said:
This is true. Just lost a 35 ft. boat this week to a first timer who doesn't need a survey. Sucks for him as he won't be aware of the need to address the elevated moisture in the bow before it become a real problem it 2-3 years.
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By lost you mean literally :) or got outbid?
 
MrsRobinson said:
By lost you mean literally :) or got outbid?
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Well since you asked. Found boat and called guy on a Friday. He had just launched it and was in the process of cleaning it. Agreed to send me a pick of cockpit when cleaned up and we would set up a showing on Monday. Sent me pics on Saturday and I asked to see it on Sunday. Was told he had a potential buyer and would let me know. I told him fine, and that I was willing to make a full price cash offer if the pics represented the boat. Fast forward to Tuesday. He tells me it is "pending but still available." WTF does that mean -- apparently his "buyer" couldn't get financing and he was going to move on to the next candidate, me. So I go see it the next day. I check out the boat and it looks pretty good, although it wasn't exactly as represented -- nothing big enough to kill the deal. So I start asking him about his relationship with the marina service guys, as it's very hard to get a haul out now during launch season and a good owner relationship helps a lot. He's surprised that I want to haul the boat and I tell him that my offer is subject to sea trial and survey. He's hesitant to agree to the survey as the other buyer has gotten his financing and doesn't need a survey (obviously a new owner as he had his "buddy who owns a boat" check it out). He says he's selling it to the other guy without a survey. I leave. The unfortunate thing is we all know how important a survey is, if just to set a baseline of condition, let alone needed for financing/insurance. I found three areas of concern -- some elevated moisture around the windless, elevated swim platform moisture, and what I suspect are leaking shaft seals and not to mention the expired CO detector (boat had generator). Nothing big enough to kill the deal, but definitely good to know so the areas can be be watched and maintained. I didn't even check the fuel system hoses which are probably at the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. But there you have it -- unsuspecting newbie boat who will be in for a surprise (hopefully not life threatening) over the next few years.

I have plenty of other stories related to my search over the past 1.5 years. Fun indeed. Congrats on your find.
 
I suspect there are a lot of those situations going on right now. When I bought my Edgewater last May, the guy had a conga line of potential buyers schedule to come look at it. I bought it on sight after checking it over closely but it is an 18 footer with a single outboard that started and ran without a hitch. It was clean enough and short enough money that I felt the risk was minimal.

Fast forward to August and I went to look at a larger boat in the water. The owner did not want to agree to a sea trial, and was sketchy over the idea of a survey. We walked away and didn't look back.

I think the lockdown boredom has a lot of people making these decisions emotionally without any idea of what they are getting into. I foresee a good bit of buyers remorse coming down the line...
 
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I am surprised the lender approved a loan without a survey.

Moisture in those areas as we all know is not a surprise, or a deal breaker for me. CO detector is not as well. None have worked on boats I have purchased, some were disconnected. I always replaced them with new.

Agreed to watched and maintained. Prospective buyer probably has no idea what an engine compartment even looks like.
 
Brian N said:
I think the lockdown boredom has a lot of people making these decisions emotionally without any idea of what they are getting into. I foresee a good bit of buyers remorse coming down the line...
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This is what my reputable broker told me last year, to hold/wait until this year. Well, this year is even worse and there is a shortage of boats.
 
MrsRobinson said:
This is what my reputable broker told me last year, to hold/wait until this year. Well, this year is even worse and there is a shortage of boats.
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Yeah, I'm hoping after July 4th things start to loosen up as winter storage comes into focus.
 
MrsRobinson said:
I am surprised the lender approved a loan without a survey.

Moisture in those areas as we all know is not a surprise, or a deal breaker for me. CO detector is not as well. None have worked on boats I have purchased, some were disconnected. I always replaced them with new.

Agreed to watched and maintained. Prospective buyer probably has no idea what an engine compartment even looks like.
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Yeah. Maybe the lender is Jimmy Two Times.

Pretty much every boat I have seen has had expired CO detectors and outdated fire suppression systems. Kind of important things for a first timer to know about and update.
 
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