Dealer rigging vs. DIY

[hogtown_usa]

I am in the planning stage of a new boat purchase. Looking at a 238DLV w/ DF-140. I haven't picked a dealer yet as I'm still making my shopping list. Obviously the base model pre-rig will come with the engine, instruments, controls, etc. I would like to hear everyones thoughts and/or experiences when specifying accessories, such as bow and transom rails, swim platform, bimini top, fuel filter/water separator, trolling motor and batteries, ff/gps, etc. Does the dealer usually give a break on these items (the proverbial "package deal") or should I consider buying aftermarket and installing myself. The major concern here is $$$$. I don't mind the work, and my labor is free (except for the beer 012). I've never dealt with a big boat dealer and haven't seen any posts concerning this exact issue.

Thanks,
Philip

P.S. I'm heading to the SW Virginia boat show this weekend to talk with Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle. 011 I am going to try to have a few other quotes before then. Smith Mtn., Ed's, Chatlee, Sam's are all within reasonable driving distances for me w/ Smith Mtn. being the closest.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Rigging a boat is a lot of work, but you'll save some money.Key word here is some.To go buy some rails and install them is no brainer,swim platform,filters etc is no problem either, as long as you know how to seal holes on thansom and how each item you planning to install works.Battery(one) is easy, not much but is ok, two batteries becomes complicated and you need some skills for that.Same thing with gauges,electronics etc, those are not for every body.If i was you i would try all this on my friends boat first. ;D J/K Dealers some times, when they give you a price they know their cost up front for what they sell, and the more expencive the boat, the bigger discounts you get.When they have to figure bare bones boat, figuring out and subtract the cost of riggging etc, takes time, time you will have to pay for.Also money lost on the extra commissions they will be added on the final price.Now, if every thing works out for you, you have to figure your time also, and your time believe it or not is NOT free.Time you loosing from fishing is very importand, if not the MOST importand,family time, kids wanna go out and play(if you have),that's also very importand,time lost with friends etc etc.I'm not saying is not a good idea, all i'm saying is how good of idea is.I hope you understood of what i said, cause i'm lost in my own words. Good luck with whatever you choose.
For me, by shopping around i saved a lot of money.If you go to chatlee, tell them you are a member here and frieds of Harry and George, you might get something out of that too.

[Big Will]

You'll have to be the judge on how much your willing to spend in time and or money.

Generally speaking boats are a luxury item. Dealers don't cut a break on anything and items you mentioned like bimini, trolling motor, etc are extras - installed is going to have a labor cost associated with it.

Your one chance is if you happen to find a boat that a dealer rigged up for his own use or for use as a demonstrator - you may find a deal with extras that way . All of the items are then considered used unless the boat is brand new.

As with cars used offers a considerable savings over new, but you have to know what your looking for and how to evaluate the quality of the individual boat and motor.

[workinprogress]

Let me deviate a little from the general direction of this post--you are addressing strictly $ and not the overall quality of installation. I'm from the much smaller (and cheaper) category of j series Carolina Skiffs, but the guys who make the rules on this site let me post in any forum I have an opinion on. (ain't America great) I don't know first hand because I bought a kit boat and my wife hasn't had a place to park her vehicle since, (good thing this isn't the marriage counseling website) but it seems to me a lot of the pre-rig boats get sloppy install jobs by guys who don't care if your boat actually works the way it is supposed too once you get it out on the water. The consideration of your time is a valid concern also, but the only way to be sure something is done right is to do it yourself. That's easy for me to say, my boat is only 16ft long and has occupied my wife's coveted parking space for several months now. The question is, are you a project guy at heart with the time to devote to a start to finish job, or would you rather get right on the water and spend a few hours cleaning up behind someone else's "not as good as you would have done it" installation job. My 2 cents. Either way, good luck and enjoy!

[al_e._gator]

The cost of options will also vary from dealer to dealer. Word from the grapevine is don't buy any options/accessories from Ed's because they have high mark up and/or labor. If you can do it all your self and buy a base boat then Ed's becomes a better place to buy the boat. Otherwise, discuss want you want with each dealer on your list and see what they'll do for you.

[ANTMAN]

I was considering rigging a boat myself (2180 DLX or 1980 DLX)......by the time I figured in the decks, console, motor etc.....I found it to be just a tad bit more $$$ to buy a pre-rig.

Tony

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I was considering rigging a boat myself (2180 DLX or 1980 DLX)......by the time I figured in the decks, console, motor etc.....I found it to be just a tad bit more $$$ to buy a pre-rig.

Tony


So, when are you ordering your new skiff ? ;D

[ANTMAN]

I was considering rigging a boat myself (2180 DLX or 1980 DLX)......by the time I figured in the decks, console, motor etc.....I found it to be just a tad bit more $$$ to buy a pre-rig.

Tony


So, when are you ordering your new skiff ? ;D


I bought last year, March 012

Tony

[mccoy333]

Just got a 218DLV with a 115 Suzuki, the fourth boat I've owned. My first two boats were factory pre-rigs and the quality of the work was fair at best. Re-did half of it myself on both boats. Third boat was a monster project, rebuilding a Stamas I/O and adding a bracketed set of 200 Yamahas to it. That experience convinced me that I REALLY didn't want to rig out a boat again.
I bought my boat/trailer from one dealer and the motor from another. I chose to have the boat rigged out at Daly's in St. Joe, Fl where I bought the motor. My experience tells me to spend the $$ and get it rigged. My biggest issue was my own impatience. No matter how you cut it, it takes a lot of time and sacrifice to get your boat in the water ASAP if you're going to do it right.
The only thing I'd say about cost is to get a good ballpark number for the deal and stay close to your rigger. There isn't anyone who can tell you exactly what it's going to cost in terms of material and labor.

[redfisherdave]

I put together my own J16. Admittedly, this may not compare to the larger boats, my motor only weighs 75 lbs. if I remember right. But, by putting it together myself, I got exactly the equipment I wanted, located in the boat where I wanted it, and installed properly & neatly.
Still very pleased with my layout after 2 years.

[hogtown_usa]

Thanks guys for the input. NEM, I'm one step ahead of you. I already practiced on my friend's Sundance skiff 004. Now I've got all the bugs worked out, I can work on my own CS thumbsup.

I'm gonna get a few different dealer quotes for the boat with all the accesories that I mentioned priced individually and go from there. Boat show is this weekend. I'll have to work on my poker face, only problem is I start grinning as soon as I see a skiff! ;D

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Thanks guys for the input. NEM, I'm one step ahead of you. I already practiced on my friend's Sundance skiff 004. Now I've got all the bugs worked out, I can work on my own CS thumbsup.


;D ;D ;D thumbsup 012

[Harry]

I'll have to work on my poker face, only problem is I start grinning as soon as I see a skiff! ;D


Nice statement, I have the same problem... ;D

[lakebiker]

I am in the planning stage of a new boat purchase. Looking at a 238DLV w/ DF-140. I haven't picked a dealer yet as I'm still making my shopping list. Obviously the base model pre-rig will come with the engine, instruments, controls, etc. I would like to hear everyones thoughts and/or experiences when specifying accessories, such as bow and transom rails, swim platform, bimini top, fuel filter/water separator, trolling motor and batteries, ff/gps, etc. Does the dealer usually give a break on these items (the proverbial "package deal") or should I consider buying aftermarket and installing myself. The major concern here is $$$$. I don't mind the work, and my labor is free (except for the beer 012). I've never dealt with a big boat dealer and haven't seen any posts concerning this exact issue.

Thanks,
Philip

P.S. I'm heading to the SW Virginia boat show this weekend to talk with Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle. 011 I am going to try to have a few other quotes before then. Smith Mtn., Ed's, Chatlee, Sam's are all within reasonable driving distances for me w/ Smith Mtn. being the closest.


When I bought my boat Smith Mountain beat all the above mentioned dealers however, some here have said they were more expensive in these times, don't know but my deal beat the pants off the rest AT THAT TIME and the others where a lot closer to home. SM is also the regional repair center for MotorGuide, MinKota and Lowrance so they know their stuff, after the sale was/is exceptional. There not the biggest fish in the pond but they do stand behind their work with no questions. I had the boarding ladder, bimini and first FF installed by them. Fuel/water seperator is part of their standard install as well as all the Coast Guard stuff, fire ext., life jackets, etc. DO NOT SKIP THE PART THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT OTHER DEALERS. Seems the C.S. guys hate each other and most of the time, they will do what they can to take your business away from the other guy. If you're even close on price and they are the closest dealer to home, don't be afraid of them, great guy to deal with. Tell Scott that Ron from Winston Salem, NC said hello. Good luck.
012

[Riverine1969]

hogtown_usa, I bought my hull and forward deck, then took them home, and rigged my boat like I wanted it. Besides caring about doing the job correctly, you can buy better hardware........e.g., cleats. I would not give a nickel for a plastic cleat. Imagine the day you are towing or being towed, and a fast paying line under pressure is against a nylon cleat? Something will melt.

Having said that, if I were again putting a CS 24 together, I would build a better deck with marine plywood, fiberglass, and epoxy resin. The balsa core/polyester resin used in CS decks is OK, but I would prefer something more substantial. Buy your hardware from one of the marine dealers (I got most of mine from West Marine), buy cleats made from stainless or bronze, and get them big enough to actually use, not just for ornaments. Needless to say, if you don't think you are capable enough to do the job, pay someone to do it for you, but insist on quality hardware, not junk.

Jim