Will boat builders buy low loan rates for their dealers to sell boats like Formula does?

Any builder can pay for or buy down loan rates with lenders, but it costs money.

That would keep them from offering low prices to their dealers to move out 2008 inventory that some dealers still have alittle of.

There is a a pot of money that a boat builder can do; lower 2008 prices to a dealer, pick up more floor plan costs for a dealer, buy down interest rates, etc. Or a mix that tends to confuse folks.

What do you think is the right way to sell more boats?

Lower the price.

They're certainly not going to give the boat away, but to me it should be a combination of price reductions and financing (if the person wants it)...

I feel that sales will continue to decrease through 2010-2011 due to market pressures and the economy as a whole.

Lending institutions are not going to write big loans without significant money down

And if they can only do one?

I'll take the cash in the form of a reduced price and get my own financing (cash only for a boat; if you don't have the cash then you can't afford it). The cost of buying down the interest rate is born in the higher cost for the boat.

Buy-down rates are foolish.

Sure, they might sell a few boats, but to mostly unsuspecting and/or desperate buyers. Most folks don't read the fine print that states, "dealer participation will affect price".

Why would anyone want to pay MORE for a boat just to get a phoney lower interest rate?

A higher sales price results in higher sales tax, higher personal property tax (at least in states like CA), higher insurance premiums, higher amount of negative equity come resale time and a higher overall amount (P & I) paid for the boat.

Just give me the best price. I'll come up with the money on my own (by saving up for it, or by selling something else).

Works for me!