Checked out a Freedom 415 yesterday.... still don't get it

FREEDOM!!!

FREEDOM!!!

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Went to a local MarineMax boat show yesterday and checked out a 415 Freedom. I still don't get it. $1.5M (estimated cost) and all you get is a bigger version of my 235 Freedom. Yeah, there's a small cabin and head in the 415, but the deck layout is virtually the same as my 235. Who is buying these things and for what purpose? I can think of about a thousand other boats I'd rather have for that price.
 
Must be an east coast/California thing as almost every boat out here is a walkaround style and I honestly think the biggest Grady White that I've seen is at most a 300 Marlin or 330 Express? The same goes for something like the 456 Canyon, as both that and the 415 Freedom are pretty looking boats, but dang... $1.5+ million is a lot of money, especially to spend on a boat.
 
The 415 Freedom is a Dual Console and has same layout as any other dual console boat.
Stern cockpit
Center helm station with big hardtop and no walk-around, some have cabin below helm station.
Bow lounge area
Same layout were once called bow rider

Building 35+ft outboard powered boats in various layouts is the trend in the last years and people is buying them, particularly in Florida and there are much more expensive brands like HCB, but not DC layout.
I understand why people buy them, i understand also why someone would fork out 1.5M for the 415.
Great layout for cruising and the sandbar with family and friends to have them out of the way while doing some "light" fishing and the covered helm area comes certainly handy in more northern places where cold and rain may be a issue.
Some boaters do that, others use a boat for work and others use a bot for fishing only and all is fine as long a boat fits owners needs.

But i know also that this layout never ever would fit my needs.
The 306 Canyon fit it perfectly, the 300 Marlin or a the 330 Express would fit my need too but i don't need a cabin.

Chris
 
Yeah, I don't get the fascination with large bow riders. Bow is only useful for lounging. Can't fish off it, can't overnight as it is exposed.

I really thought this fad would have faded off by now.
 
I think that for this to make sense, we have to forget about the money. It's not about the money - it's about what someone wants a boat "to do for them". If they want a large boat to carry larger amounts of people more comfortably and/or are in bigger water where they want a smoother ride and they are only doing, primarily, day boating/cruising/etc, then this type of boat fills the bill. There are other companies doing the same thing (and maybe better), such as Sea Ray's line of large bowriders. Either way, it's all about what works best for the buyer.

Me? I'd REALLY like to have a Hinckley. But I can't afford that so maybe a Back Cove... but I can't afford that, either. So for now, I'm quite happy with my current boat :)
 
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DennisG01 said:
I think that for this to make sense, we have to forget about the money. It's not about the money - it's about what someone wants a boat "to do for them". If they want a large boat to carry larger amounts of people more comfortably and/or are in bigger water where they want a smoother ride and they are only doing, primarily, day boating/cruising/etc, then this type of boat fills the bill. There are other companies doing the same thing (and maybe better), such as Sea Ray's line of large bowriders. Either way, it's all about what works best for the buyer.

Me? I'd REALLY like to have a Hinckley. But I can't afford that so maybe a Back Cove... but I can't afford that, either. So for now, I'm quite happy with my current boat :)
Click to expand...
I'm getting an MJM at that price. Man, I love those things!
 
kirk a said:
Yeah, I don't get the fascination with large bow riders. Bow is only useful for lounging. Can't fish off it, can't overnight as it is exposed.

I really thought this fad would have faded off by now.
Click to expand...
You can fish off any boat.
 
DennisG01 said:
I think that for this to make sense, we have to forget about the money. It's not about the money - it's about what someone wants a boat "to do for them". If they want a large boat to carry larger amounts of people more comfortably and/or are in bigger water where they want a smoother ride and they are only doing, primarily, day boating/cruising/etc, then this type of boat fills the bill. There are other companies doing the same thing (and maybe better), such as Sea Ray's line of large bowriders. Either way, it's all about what works best for the buyer.

Me? I'd REALLY like to have a Hinckley. But I can't afford that so maybe a Back Cove... but I can't afford that, either. So for now, I'm quite happy with my current boat :)
Click to expand...
I think you are right....its not about the money in this price range. A lot of boaters have real F-U kind of money and just want a big, fancy, name-brand boat and don't care about the price. I have a friend who is the main boat Captain at MarineMax. He takes everyone out on the boat trials and does a lot of pick-ups and deliveries...lots of really big boats. He told us that over half of the people who buy new boats never even take them out. They buy the boat, put it in storage at the MM, and never take them out.
 
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Where we boat some fish, some anchor for a nice day in a cove, others just cruise around in some VERY high dollar boats, that boat is not being marketed for someone doing a cost analysis, but one who lives on the water in a very nice home and will take friends out for a very nice cocktail cruise.... Money... it's all relative...
 
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Just for shits and grins, I had the salesman quote me a new 285 Freedom. Holy moley!!! Nope!
 
I kinda feel the same way about the entire bow riding line. If I was going to buy that style boat, I wouldn't buy a Grady. I'd get a lower tier boat and pocket the money.
That being said, all boats are a compromise so buy and spend what you want.
 
FREEDOM!!! said:
Went to a local MarineMax boat show yesterday and checked out a 415 Freedom. I still don't get it. $1.5M (estimated cost) and all you get is a bigger version of my 235 Freedom. Yeah, there's a small cabin and head in the 415, but the deck layout is virtually the same as my 235. Who is buying these things and for what purpose? I can think of about a thousand other boats I'd rather have for that price.
Click to expand...
You don't drive a Humvee?
 
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