Years ago, the car industry started building and displaying concept cars. They found interest in certain niches and appealed to the more exciting side of the market.
Concept vehicles are probably the most inexpensive way to conduct market research.
When fiberglass first came on the boat scene, designers felt anything they could do, they should do. Currently a retro look going in the industry. One panelist thought it will be a short lived trend. He feels in 6 months to a year others will be copying the design and it will no longer be unique. Most of today's boat builders do not have a 40 year history to pull from, Chris Craft is unique in this respect.