About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Why are boats so expensive?

By: iCrowdNewswire

Boat ownership is more than just a status symbol. For many US workers, it’s an aspiration they consider part of the American dream. Unfortunately, that dream is getting more expensive every year. Increased demand for new boats and limited supplies caused prices to go up by 10% in 2021. This year, rising interest rates are making boat loans more costly.

Why are boats so expensive? There are several reasons, beginning with materials shortages and supply chain problems resulting from the 2020 pandemic. Those will eventually ease as the world recovers, but boat prices aren’t expected to go down any time soon. Fannie Mae is forecasting a 4.3% inflation rate this year. That will affect the following areas:

    1.Material Costs

Material costs like wood, aluminum, and fiberglass can affect the price of a boat. Wood prices have been up 135% since 2020. Aluminum prices are on the rise too. According to the World Bank, they’ll reach $2400 per metric ton by 2035. Quality fiberglass, foam cores, and good resins are more expensive than wood or aluminum. These are the core building materials for boats. As the cost for them rises, boat prices will continue to go up.

Price is only one obstacle when it comes to boat-building materials. New home construction in the United States is up 22% this year, increasing demand for the same building materials boat manufacturers need. Meanwhile, the price of gas, which affects the supply chain, has increased by 45% in the past twelve months. Transportation and shipping costs are at all-time highs.

    2.Labor Costs

Boat Building is a Specialized Skill. Unlike automobiles, boats aren’t built on an assembly line with robotic assistance and minimally trained laborers. Boat building is a specialized skill that’s limited to a small group of craftsmen. The more in demand they are, the higher the price for their services. That’s simple economics. Finding good boat builders is getting more expensive.

Poor craftsmanship can lead to leaky or rotting hulls. Aluminum boat builders need skilled riveters and welders. Wooden boat builders need to be experts on how to treat and waterproof wooden hulls. The slightest error can cause defects that may not show up until the boat is sold to a consumer. Fiberglass hulls pose the same challenges.

    3.Equipment Costs

Boat Building Machinery isn’t Cheap. Those heavy cranes for lifting boats and the welding machines used to put together aluminum hulls are not cheap. They’re also expensive to maintain and need to be upgraded regularly to ensure the safety of the boat builders. That cost is passed on to the consumer. Even small boats require expensive tools and manufacturing facilities to build.

The government heavily monitors boat building equipment and labor practices to make sure that boat owners have a safe and comfortable experience out on the water. The American dream of boat ownership can quickly become a nightmare if safety isn’t a priority in the boat-building process. Consumers should take that into account when they shop for a boat.

The Bottom Line

There’s no way to sugarcoat this. Boats are expensive, and prices will likely go up over the next few years. Luckily, boat loans from local banks and credit unions help lower the rates and make payments more manageable. Online lenders also work with consumers who have less than perfect credit, but the overall price of a boat will still be high. That’s just the reality of this economy. On a positive note, a boat is an excellent way to escape that reality for a while.

Sponsored Content

About OneMain Financial

View Website

OneMain Financial is the leader in offering nonprime customers responsible access to credit and is dedicated to improving the financial well-being of hardworking Americans.

Contact Information:

Name: Michael Bertini
Email: michael.bertini@iquanti.com
Job Title: Consultant

More News

View More
PepsiCo’s Deep Discount Will Soon Evaporate: Buy It While You Can
Via MarketBeat
Tickers PEP
Bargain Alert: DraftKings Is the Most Oversold It’s Ever Been
Via MarketBeat
Tickers DKNG
Constellation Brands: Buffett’s $2.2B Bet May Have Hit Bottom
Via MarketBeat
Tickers BUD STZ
How Gamers Are Powering Microsoft’s Next Wave of Growth
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers MSFT SONY TCEHY
Big Gains Alert: These 3 Tech Stocks Are Surging This Month
Via MarketBeat
Tickers ARQQ ASTS DPRO
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.