Marine Industry Health Check - Page 2

Gordon · 22 November 2008, 13:57

Still reasonably active as a freelancer but this is mainly due to the sail rather than power.

I note that on some courses / trips as Skipper, individuals are buying saioling weekends in the Solent and South Coast for less than £200.

One such recent trip was a weekend cruise and although there were 7 plus me on board, each person had only paid £145 for the whole weekend including fuel, berthing etc...

An interest was recently taken in Sunsails closure of the Largs base - another reflection perhaps of harder times...

Each is trying to their own thing to get money flowing and with harder times, it is certainly a buyers market - far better to make a few quid and keep the work flowing than go for the bigger profit margins that we have arguably, all enjoyed in more fruitful times...

Alan Priddy · 23 November 2008, 09:32

Or it could be that owning a boat does not represent good value for money? Marinas are too expensive and pubs and restuarants around the waters edge have a habit of ripping people off.
I, like lot of other boat owners have no interest what so ever in boating in the South of England. When you calculate the purchase, running purchasing all the wet weather gear for the UK's climate along with depriciation , it is cheaper to charter something in the med or warmer climes.
I personal feel that although we are in a deep depresion brought about by the media , people are still spending money having "Fun"
Perhaps the "Fun" has gone out of UK boating?
Alan P

PeterM · 25 November 2008, 15:47

So can everyone ( boaters) help out by not always looking for the absolute cheapest deal on the net & supporting the local chandlers / yards etc ? Or is it a case of everyone for themselves ( until you have to travel 80 miles for part as the local guy is out of business due to the 'downturn'.

bedajim · 25 November 2008, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

So can everyone ( boaters) help out by not always looking for the absolute cheapest deal on the net & supporting the local chandlers / yards etc ? Or is it a case of everyone for themselves ( until you have to travel 80 miles for part as the local guy is out of business due to the 'downturn'.

That seems to be the British way with everything we buy

Nos4r2 · 25 November 2008, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

So can everyone ( boaters) help out by not always looking for the absolute cheapest deal on the net & supporting the local chandlers / yards etc ? Or is it a case of everyone for themselves ( until you have to travel 80 miles for part as the local guy is out of business due to the 'downturn'.

I've already got to travel 30 miles to the 'local' guy...

PeterM · 26 November 2008, 09:43

Nos - I have a solution - move house ! Notonly wil this allow you to be closer to your local boats places , but you can help the economy by throwing money at something else ( apart from boats) that will plummet in value in the next year !

Surely a goer ?

Nos4r2 · 26 November 2008, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Nos - I have a solution - move house ! Notonly wil this allow you to be closer to your local boats places , but you can help the economy by throwing money at something else ( apart from boats) that will plummet in value in the next year !

Surely a goer ?

Are you in government?

paul tilley · 30 November 2008, 13:39

very busy loads of orders including new halmatic builds ,lots of retubes possibly due to downturn in new boat sales due to credit crunch .having to work today instead of going to church .

Channel Ribs · 30 November 2008, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul tilley

... lots of retubes possibly due to downturn in new boat sales due to credit crunch...

We are certainly seeing this, lots of people asking about tube repairs and even a couple of tube replacements (as quoted for by Paul - thanks

) so it does look very much like there are aspects of the marine industry and in particular repair/refit work that remains strong.

People are tightening their belts, but not necessarily selling the trousers.

Rogue Wave · 03 December 2008, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul tilley

very busy loads of orders including new halmatic builds ,lots of retubes possibly due to downturn in new boat sales due to credit crunch .having to work today instead of going to church .

Glad to here i you Heathen Bstd, make sure you keep a slot open for my work. I only need one more corporate signature and we are off to Devon

J.C. · 06 December 2008, 23:27

I am not primarily in the nautical market, but I have to say I am very pessimistic about future prospects. In my business (survey) enquiries are down around 50% and margins are extremely tight. We have taken steps to minimise costs and made some redundancies, more are certain I fear.

I think anyone who relies on discretionary spending should plan for really lean times for about two years, followed by a slow recovery. My brother though, who is recession proof it seems, has just bought himself a large yacht at a stunningly low price. As usual, a recession is prime bargain territory for those with cash. Maybe he'll let me polish the new yacht if I beg? Bastard ;-)

ianhappy · 07 December 2008, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.C.

...My brother though, who is recession proof it seems, has just bought himself a large yacht at a stunningly low price...

What does your brother do for a living then? I'm looking for a recession-proof job myself, or at least a recession-proof employer who needs my skills

GED · 07 December 2008, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianhappy

What does your brother do for a living then? I'm looking for a recession-proof job myself, or at least a recession-proof employer who needs my skills

Traffic warden, arrive-alive police camera van, v.a.t inspectors or any other government run 'fine and tax job'