I agree addict. A handmade fin I can see the time spent and hence the dollar value, but when you consider (large brand) boards are made in factories, with decent economies of scale for the cost of the goods sold, then you have to wonder about the margins to retailers, distribtors and manufacturers

JP - NP owned hmmmm

yeah - i know the guys at Goodtime in bris have decided to discount from the RRP as even they think it is too much and honestly, i dont think anyone would by a board at that value in this day and age.

Im not sure how the prices of other manufacturers are comparing?

CA seem like good value boards. However do they come with a fin, straps and a boardbag? Do new boards from other brands come with these accessories? I believe Starboards come with two fins.

Carbon Art's are awesome value for money. No they don't come with a fin but I got CA to send the recomended C3 Venom with my board. Still a cheap combo for a sweet board and fin
Interesting to see the Isonics now don't come with a fin, if that's reflected in the new price I think it's a good move, no point paying for a fin you wont use
Also remember we still have a couple of custom board makers here in Aus, they would have to be better than one made out of bambo in a cookie factory

Go Riders

Too much supply, too many makers with too many models, asking too much $$ for a small (and decreasing) market.

My prediction is that a few manufacturers will go tits up with 2-3 years, following F2, and demand will not increase. The two not being unrelated. Not counting recession, price of petrol for O/S shipments, the value of local $$, etc.

As a result of the above, supply will be driven ever further from commodity and scale economy. Cost of making equipment will go up, so will RRP, killing the sport a little more for those who insist on always having the vary latest.

That's not gloomy: I don't care. I just bought 1yo board and closeout-price brand new sails - great prices !

^^^ Not sure about Mistral or others, but Fanatic make no secret of the fact that their Freewave has had the same shape for its 07, 08, and 09 models, as they say it's a popular design, why change it. (But they did for 2010 model)

It's not the cost of making equipment, it's development and the gear is HEAPS better now days, it's how many times it changes hands and yeh everyone in the food chain has to make money otherwise why bother.

I think gear is a lot cheaper than over 10 years ago. I don't know Greenleader but rumor has it he has a shop, ask him how much more expensive boards are retail compeared to over 10 years ago, then ask how much rent, wages and government fees etc are costing him now and how hard competition is now that we have access to the net.

Everything only seems expensive because we want to spread out dollar so much further, besides our windsurfing gear we want the big telly with surrround sound, the latest fancy mobile phone, eat out & coffee shops, two cars and a 5 bed 3 bath house etc etc.

Having said all that crap, it's Carbon Art all the way for me or go a local custom board I did buy for family a brand new retail Starboard Start, awesome value and so much fun, sad day when we sold it.

does anyone know what came of the expensive JP gold edition honeycomb construction from 2009?

FletcHuz said...

If you're buying a Ferrari you don't expect it to be cheap.

Bad comparison. If you buy a Ferrari it wants to be ridden hard... it's build for that! If you buy any board these days and ride it hard don't expect it to last more than a season...

It seems though the "boards are too expensive" debate comes around at the beginning of every season. All I can say is you are the consumer. If you don't like the price don't buy a board and instead make due with what you have. You see the thing about capitalism is that in the end the market will dictate what boards should cost.

If the shops stock the boards for what the market perceives as too much money they will end up sitting on a pile of old gear at the end of the season. Of course if the season is super windy expect them be able shift the gear at almost any price...

If you don't like the prices of brand new boards do your self a favour and buy a used one or two year old board. If you don't always need the latest and greatest they can be much better value. Don't always believe the hype... there are a lot of 2 or 3 years old shapes you can still have a lot of fun with.

If you have the money... by all means go out and buy that $3800 golden board... I am sure it will make you a much better sailor.

PS: Re the discussion of dollar value and buying overseas... the problem is that the wholesalers/ manufacturers set the prices for gear at the beginning of the season based on what ever contracts they have with Cobra etc. I assume those deals are currently still done in US$. If the dollar changes throughout the season the prices are already set... deal done.

i got a mate that paid $400 for a carbon fin for his board....

retarded.....