2005 Aquasport model 222?

[Seadog]

To continue a thread that was started on another forum. Thought I'd start it here and see what you guys think:

With the growing popularity of the 222 model, why in tar-nation doesn't Genmar bring back the 222?

I'm thinkin maybe they have researched it already and determined the market may not be there or the regional demand for the 222 isn't enough to warrent production.

If they haven't thought about it, then they are probably out of touch.

Anybody got any Genmar insight or maybe how boat manufacturers reason these things out?

[JimCt]

My guess is that with "corporate-think" they'd feel they would be making a step backward.

Look at how the old original '65 & '66 Mustangs sold for Ford.  Hottest selling car ever for Ford.  They dropped the original design, fattened it up, made it heavier and walked away from lots of folks who wanted that car.  Go figure.

[scott_gunn]

The Osprey 200 was available last year or the year before, I forget exactly when they quit.  It was the same design as the 222 just shorter.  I guess the demand wasn't there.  The 222/200 is a great boat for certain regions, but it's not a great boat everywhere.

Still, instead of not selling it at all, they could just jack the price up some and still be the lowest priced boat in the niche market.  Seems like it would be worth their while.

[Wilson]

They probably don't own the molds anymore.  I wonder if there was a patent or anything like it, and whether or not it is still valid or even owned by Aquasport.  

You could always wax up your hull and make a mold... not that I am advocating such a practice.  

Intelectual property is not my strong point.

[steved]

Aquasport did patent some of its boat characteristics (I did a search of the US Patent and Trademark Office some time ago) but not specific models. When I spoke to Aquasport a while ago, they indicated that most of the things from the old days had simply been lost in the fracas when Aquasport went bankrupt twice before being sold to Genmar. I hope to be speaking with them about our history project in the next week or so and will see if they can give us a definitive catalog of what is still around.

[Anonymous]

Go to www.genmar.com and you'll see immediately why they've chosen not to recreate the classic 222.