Sounds like alot of complaining about someone who may or not be complaining. Lol, jk. Just stirring the pot.
I was talking with some buddies about this the other day. I don't want to say a number id be willing to pay up to, but aside from Rickters I would say we are getting off easy. The other companies have real wages and expenses, not just bowls of rice and a sticker for 13k for an RRP micro.
I know the work it took to make a rideplate mold, ONE MOLD! The amount of time to make all the components for the ski oh hell no. Now, that is the R&D and once that is done it's just run the mold for years like XS did/is doing.
The poopty side of the sport not being well known and no big sponsors is it runs out small businesses. I know if I was to be making hulls what I would charge, minimum. And I know after some time prices would go up for obvious reasons (inflation on everything I pay) but also because I want more money. Like said earlier, you don't want to pay the extra costs then not to buy. Buy used to fit your budget. There are enough good looking and functioning hulls out there for what looks to be a lot of money. Go make a mold of a small part and now think of the time to make a top and bottom deck that need a to fit near perfectly. I would get sick of the time and materials spent, but would enjoy the time popping parts once the mold is done.
I will say my next hull (now that eclipse is not an option) a visual hull will be next brand new purchase. I am happy the dvx is back (not sure if I would purchase from VS tho), nitro looks to be good, and also tigercraft. And as long as prices do not go up X% (number in my head) for "material costs" I won't mind forking out the coin.
