Buying a mould from ... Beneteau?

[AppleNation]

Hi All,

anyone have any experience or knowledge of whether boat builders such as beneteau end up selling their female moulds when they have finished with them?

By finished with them I mean they no longer build them.... for example the first 40.7 being replaced now by the first 40.

Thanks.

[masalai]

Not usually, as the hull shape will be recognisable, and they have their reputation to consider and preserve, and as such would be very unlikely to sell their moulds ever - - more likely burn the unused parts....

[Meanz Beanz]

They'd chain saw them... last thing they want to do is end up competing against a cheap copy of their last model. At least thats what I would do! IMO Our industry would be healthier if that happened at little more often here... the BIA should buy all the old moulds and trash them.

[Herman]

Most production moulds are tired, and get shredded. Sad but true...

If you like to use a mould like that, try your luck with smaller boat yards, that build less then a couple of boats per mould per year. They might be more willing to use the mould. You might have to pay for waxing and gelcoating, at least, if I were the owner I would like to have control over that. Afterwards it is your job...

Also sometimes moulds get up for sale, I see them sometimes in Professional Boatbuilder, and this site might have some as well..