Buying a mould from ... Beneteau?

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.

 

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....

 

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.

 

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..