While it is history-- can anyone exp-lain why CD had so many different and costly models on the market???
The CD 26, 27, 28?? The 30 and 31?? Anyone???
Nagromjohn@aol.com
Numerous CD boat models
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Dana Arenius
Re: Numerous CD boat models
At first glance today this list of boat models that are only separated by a foot difference in length appear to be overkill in the models offered. But these models were not all built at the same time during the Cape Dory history. When one looks at the design specification numbers (for instance) on the CD27 you can see a relatively heavy well built boat which was becoming more and more expensive to build. When compared to other 27 footers offered by other manufacturers the price and the public trend toward interior space had to killing sales by the early/mid 80's. The introduction of the CD26 without the standard diesel engine (it was optional) and the Typhoon Senior was an attempt to still offer models under 30 feet which were profitable for the builder and affordable for the buyer. With their introduction the Typhoon, CD22, CD27, and CD28 was on the "short list" to be eliminated.
So I can only imagine that Cape Dory introduced different models as a balance (to remain competitive) between marketing goals, cost of manufacturing, and public feature trends. I know that even during the early 80s that it was becoming non-profitable to make boats less than 30 feet for many of the builders. The overhead cost to order a pair of winches for a 36' is not that much different than a 18' but the margin of profit on the boat is much different. I think there is a much wider spread between the "have and have not's" today than there was in the early 80's when one talks about new sailboats under 30'. It is much different on the used boat market.
Dana
d_arenius@juno.com
So I can only imagine that Cape Dory introduced different models as a balance (to remain competitive) between marketing goals, cost of manufacturing, and public feature trends. I know that even during the early 80s that it was becoming non-profitable to make boats less than 30 feet for many of the builders. The overhead cost to order a pair of winches for a 36' is not that much different than a 18' but the margin of profit on the boat is much different. I think there is a much wider spread between the "have and have not's" today than there was in the early 80's when one talks about new sailboats under 30'. It is much different on the used boat market.
Dana
d_arenius@juno.com