HK wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
wrote:
On Nov 4, 7:30 am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
On Nov 3, 4:29?pm, HK wrote:
Just read that Albemarle was bought out by Brunswick. Another famous
line goes in the crapper. Cabo was sold last year. Sad to see the
independents disappearing, since they build the best boats.
Where have you been, Harry?
Brunswick has owned Albermarle for quite while now. Basically, they
are built by the same group that makes Hatteras. Many of the upper
tier
trademarks built by Brunswick are pretty darn good boats.
I'm sure they were better boats when the companies that built them were
independent. The newest model Albemarle, for example, is wider and with
less deadrise than the model it will be replacing. That's corporate
conglomerate think for you...take a line of fishing boats and turn them
into something less.
People often think that just because something is made by small
independents that it automatically means better craftmanship and
quality, but that just isn't always true. Larger companies have money
to use for R&D and testing, plus the tools to ensure quality control.
Of course you are correct. I personally would hate to pay for a one
off car. After watching American Hotrod, I would seriously question
the quality of some of these smaller builders. I would assume it is
very similar in with small boat builders.
I wouldn't buy a motorcycle from any of the televised "chopper" show
shops, because it is obvious that the builders are not overly concerned
with the vagaries of metallurgy. Small boat building among the quality
builders is an entirely different proposition; the "flashboat" builders
may change everything every year, but the quality builders do not.
Parker has been building hulls for a long, long time. Most of the hulls
are very similar in design, no matter their length, and so are the
materials, though "thickness" varies. Same with hardware. Same with
assembly. Next year, Parker will introduce a 34-footer with twin 350-hp
Yamahas. I suspect the boat will be very competent.
I don't think I have seen a Parker on my little body of water, but Grady
Whites are very common. While I would not consider them a small boat
builder, they are not part of a conglomerate. On the lake, they have
clubs who will haul their boats to the ocean for group fishing
tournaments.
By the same token, there are many conglomerate car mfg'ers including BMW
and Lexus who have managed to build a car to the masses and keep quality
at a very high level.