Key West and Scout Boats are both manufactured in Summerville. Is it possible to purchase direct from the factory or only thru dealers? I heard that refurbished boats (returns or warranty issue) were available factory direct.
I would assume Not. That would really pi$$ off all their dealers if they were undercut by the manufacturer.
I talked to a dealer about a boat manufacturer that they carried and he said he had issues with them doing just that. but it was a smaller manufacturer.
That dealer doesn’t carry that boat anymore.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
As far as I know Dusky is the only direct sales manufacturer.The rest protect their dealers.However,since there is a boat dealer across from the Dusky plant that sells Yamaha motors,you can’t get a Yamaha on a Dusky boat from the manu.Suzuki’s or Merc’s only.
Action Craft sells direct for now. At least until they get a dealer network in the Carolinas, which I think will be sometime next year.
Dusky offers ETEC as well.
Tideline boats sells direct as well I believe. There are a handful of boat manufacturers that go direct.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
That would be really bad for morale at the dealers.
I work for a car dealer, and when people order direct from the factory they dont save much, and its not the best way to start the relationship… expecially since the dealer is the one making warranty claims on your behalf. You’re a lot more likely to get them to do you some favors if you bought it there.
The guys at Butler Marine near johns island have always been cool to me. When I need something expensive from the dealer, they offer to make the call to the key west plant for me, then allow me to pay cost directly to the plant. They even offer to tow it up there and back next time they go, and get the parts installed(which is usually free).
I have purchased multiple boats from the over the years and they pay me back for it.
Key West 2300cc Mercury 225 optimax “Fish Tale”
I am a truck mechanic and often talk to the drivers, so remember this is from a truck driver. 
He delivers Scout boats and said on the bill of lading, the declared value is under half of what the sticker prices are. They have power on the back and he said sometimes t-tops installed.
I know they need rigged and everything yet, but if its true, buying factory direct could potentially save a ton. On the other side, I doubt a manufacturer wants to deal with the daily drama that a dealership encounters.
Not that dealers dont get their fair share, they usually get fully reimbursed for warranty work, very good deals on parts, add percentage points to loans originated from “their bank”, authorized service work, etc,etc.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude