Custom effect on selling

[SkiTower]

To tag onto the "How customized is your boat" thread, has anybody customized their boat and then regretted it with possible buyers?

Examples: towers on ski boats? Too much music? Decals, color, etc?

[east tx skier]

On my last boat, a MC, I did a ton of upgrades, but nothing that was too far out of line with what was either an original look or option, or something that was offered on the new boats.

Example
Custom jump seat using OEM skins, but with flip up seat base revealing a non skid step to get to bow and a flip up seat back for storage underneath.

Replaced skins that needed replacing and bought extras for other pieces, but kept N.I.B. in case I needed them. Sold them with the boat for extra on top of boat deal.

New Speakers and tuner

Perfect Pass

Acme Prop

Edelbrock performer intake for a hp and mid range torque bump.

new 4160 carb (4010 was a piece of garbage)

New noise insulation in motorbox

Sunbrella walk through wind block (snap in).

Repaired OEM cover with sunbrella and gortex thread.

New bimini purchased through and installed by dealer. Drum tight at ski speeds and low profile.

drag wheels on trailer

Complete set of spare decals NIB (sold after boat had sold for more than I paid for them).

And a lot of other stuff I can't remember of the top of my head.

[nautinautiboy]

I have done alot of custom stuff to my 210 but I did it for me. I would do anything you want to do so you enjoy it. When it comes time to sell it you can always take stuff out if you need to.

[bchesley]

I will respond since I feel slightly responsible. My last boat had the following upgrades:

1983 Ski Nautique 2001
Removed factory three stripe graphics with painted solid black stripe
Airboom Tower
2000 Air Graphics
Dripless Packing
Modern 40oz. Carpet
Modern GT vinyl interior built off of CC patterns but all nuetral in color with black piping
Airboom Boardrack
Stereo installed under dash, 12" sub in front, two 6.5s mounted in the combing pads and two 6.5 tower speakers
Four Blade Acme Prop
Dino Marine Steering Wheel
Morse MV3 Controls (factory did not have a lockout)

I bought the boat for $4500 in 1999, and spent about $4,000 on the upgraded parts, tons of labor by myself, and I sold it last year for $9,500. I might be a rear case but my boat actually gave me a return on what I did to it. I think that if you do customize it keep it clean and tasteful.

[gride300]

i concur. whenever i see boats with puke green hulls or yellow and blue or what have you i just think great for while you own it, but bummer when you try to sell it.

[MARK-S]

I dont think you can sell a non or customized used boat right now.

[SkiTower]

I will respond since I feel slightly responsible.

I didn't mean this in a bad way, just that I tend to like stock while others want everything changed. I agree, make the boat like you want it. I guess I'm just comparing it to the compact car lowered, with low profile tires, custom paint job, sound system, etc that the majority of humanity wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. But I guess the comparison isn't justified since these are Nautiques (Mercedes) as opposed to I/O's (compacts). I agree, keeping it clean is the key (as well as tasteful, not tacky).

And as for undoing changes, I'm thinking more of the irreversible ones like color or holes in the hull, or putting a tower on a ski boat.

Just wondering if anybody has run across a buyer that said no thanks due to upgrades.

[Mikeski]

Most of the things I have done are things that were done in later years (stainless cupholders, impeller pumps, 4 line PP display), other things are things that should have been done from the factory (keyplate with stereo remote, under seat sub), or maybe a few things are options that may become available in the future (fresh air exhaust, LED cupholders, LEDs inside the ice chest, speed volume control). I try to do things as a manufacturer would do them. Most people that ride in my boat have no idea that there have been so many little modifications made to the boat, I like it that way. I have even had people not believe me that my keyplate was not factory installed.

I intend to get exactly $0 return on my investments but I am getting plenty of real time enjoyment out of them.

[harddock]

If you sre selling the boat soon why bother? On the other hand if you add stuff like tower, stereo, graphics etc to accomidate your needs or for your own personal gratification the go for it. Some buyers are purests and want every thing as from factory. Some will appreciate the goodies as they are not interested in doing these mods themselves. Chances are they would either do it differnt or at least use a different component here and there. If you do the mods and use the boat fo a couple of years you can justify the expense. If your just customizing it to sell try selling it stock first.

That 2001 above is very nice and he not only got back his investment but has owned the boat about 10 years enjoying the add ons along the way.

[gride300]

you can always have a boat painted, or wrapped and towers can be taken off. for me, no car company or boat company makes them how i would build one for myself so aftermarket is a must. give me a ferrari and im putting a system in it w/ new wheels, smoked tail lights and new exhaust.