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Another quality boat manufacturer sells out.
HK wrote:
Gene Kearns wrote: On Sun, 04 Nov 2007 08:23:55 -0800, Chuck Gould penned the following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats: Why would every boat in succession always have to be narrower and with a deeper V than previous models? Perhaps the new model is intended for slightly different conditions. Is it possible that the same changes that make the boat less "fishable" in your estimation might make it better suited for cruising and exploring or some other purpose? Unless Brunswick was lying through their teeth (which I find imminently possible), their news releases at the time of purchase gave the reason that they were targeting the sportfishing market. Albemarle builds boats that range up to 40-soome feet in length, and not all are intended exclusively for use by the weekend or retired fisherman. It may be that in order to increase total overall appeal and sales of the new model Albemarle decided to make it slightly less specialized......don't know this for a fact, simply stating a possibility. Indeed, they have taken a local boat, built for local conditions, and corporatized it to sell in a broader market. To build a good case for a decline in quality I think it takes a lot more than the appearance of a new hull design with different characteristics. Why not check out one of the new boats in person and see if fit, finish, hardware, workmanship aren't still up to traditional standards? It was a boat designed for certain local conditions. It now, regardless of fit and finish ranks little above the mongrel stage. I'll be getting underway on one of their new boats, just over 30-feet LOA, in the next week or so. Thus, it wouldn't be prudent to say anything disparaging about the bread and butter, eh? The brand doesn't have the long history in this region that it enjoys back on the east coast, The reason being, pre-Brunswick.... it wasn't designed for or marketed to that region. so I can't say that I will be able to compare it knowledgeably with the pre-2005 produciton- but a pretty thorough at-the-dock examination of one of the current boats a few months ago revealed no glaring defects or cheap-cut aspects- I thought the boat was pretty impressive overall and I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn even more about it. You might as well concede to Harry then, as you are making the argument for him. (The "Hatteras Collection" includes Hatteras, Cabo, and Albemarle. The Harrell family sold to Brunswick in 2005). Albemarle and Hatteras were originally designed as sport fishers for the North Carolina coast. Hatteras hasn't been Hatteras since the High Point, NC factory closed and the "Hatteras Collection" has "evolved" to the point that it has as much in common with sportfishing as a metrosexual does with a salt water tackle box. What the hell would Chuck know about Atlantic Ocean sportfishing boats, based upon an "at-the-dock" examination that "revealed no glaring defects..." How would he know what a "glaring defect" on a sportfishing boat might be? Whenever a corporate conglomerate takes over a boat line, I'm reminded of what happened to Harley-Davidson when it was taken over by AMF. You are an arm chair know-it-all, why can't Chuck be one too? |
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