boat business

[cadillac rob]

Went to the AC boat show I must say that that business looks like it is on life support and if the price of fuel see's 4.00 plus this season I think it could be the final nail in there coffin I hope the best for the men and women involved in that industry Just my thought hope I am wrong

[scattered_grass]

It's gotta come back at some point.......am I right???

[Catcher's Mitt]

it has always seemed to me that they are bare bones from about September till the end of February here in LA. the boat shows usually pump some money back into them to get em off of life support..........i don't think any of them have been booming the last couple of years though.

[LuckyLady]

Its a 50/50 right now boats are selling people are buying yes the fuel sucks but I "think" by year end we should see a slight rebound ..1st and 4th quarter results are showing some rebound in the industry

Here are just a few of the big boys and girls

For everyone and every industry sake I hope it continues to go well and with minimal ups and downs!!!



MarineMax reports 1Q results
MarineMax today reported a decrease in revenue and same-store sales for its fiscal first quarter

Caterpillar reports drop in marine engine sales
Caterpillar continued to report a decline in marine engine sales, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission


Cummins reports 4Q, year-end results
Cummins reported record profits for all of 2010, as well as record quarterly sales and profits for the fourth quarter


Jacobs tells dealers 'future looks very bright'
In a letter to dealers, Irwin Jacobs, chairman of J&D Acquisitions, says he is "totally convinced and pleased to say that we believe the worst is behind us in the retail recreational boating market


NMMA reports show attendance increases
Attendance and sales were strong at three recent National Marine Manufacturers Association shows in Louisville, Ky., Chicago and Baltimore, the group announced.


Toronto show reports solid turnout
Attendance at the 2011 Toronto International Boat Show was 72,580, down 3 percent from 2010, organizers said.


Caterpillar reports 4Q, year-end results
Caterpillar announced sales and revenue of $42.6 billion for 2010, an increase of 31 percent from $32.4 billion in 2009


Brunswick reports 4Q, year-end results
Brunswick Corp. today reported an increase in net sales for the fourth quarter and the full year, as well as a lower net loss per share for the quarter and the year


Marine Products reports 4Q, year-end results
Marine Products Corp., maker of Chaparral and Robalo boats, reported a nearly 90 percent increase in sales for the fourth quarter and a 156 percent increase in sales for the year.


Consumer confidence rebounds in January
The consumer confidence index was up in January, reaching levels not seen since last spring.

Twin Disc reports 2Q results
Twin Disc today reported an increase in sales for the second quarter, which ended Dec. 31, 2010, but said the company's "pleasure craft marine business continued to be challenging."


NMMA reports boost in show attendance
With five of its winter boat shows finished, the National Marine Manufacturers Association is reporting strong crowds at many of them and optimism among exhibitors.

[frankypettolina]

For what it is worth I have done more pre-purchase surveys this past december and january than december 09 and January 10. Historically speaking these are my two slowest months, and to see improvements from last year to this year is a good sign I guess. Granted people are still buying the boats at very low prices, but hey, they are buying right?

[worldcat lemon]

I was at the Seattle boat show in January, and I can say it looked more like a Mexican flea market with a touch of class. There were some nice boats and electronics, but there were also alot of empty booth spaces. You could certainly feel the sales pressure and quiet desperation of the people selling the boats. The greatest concentration of people was around the used boat bill boards, looking for deals. We all looked at the new boats, but prices are still out of control, in my opinion anyway.

My hope is this recession will bring boat prices in line with reality and weed out the industry of the companies that are a blight to those people trying to make an honest living, like yourself. The used boat market is great for buyers and with reduced quotas, high fuel prices, limited seasons, and less fish, there are more people who can't afford to keep their boats and use them.

Probably the surest way to improve the odds of survival of a boat business is to make sure you have a good business reputation, at all costs, and make unhappy customers happy.....at all costs. Because bad word travels fast and resonates for a long, long time in the industry.......don't you think?

[LuckyLady]

I was at the Seattle boat show in January, and I can say it looked more like a Mexican flea market with a touch of class. There were some nice boats and electronics, but there were also alot of empty booth spaces. You could certainly feel the sales pressure and quiet desperation of the people selling the boats. The greatest concentration of people was around the used boat bill boards, looking for deals. We all looked at the new boats, but prices are still out of control, in my opinion anyway.

My hope is this recession will bring boat prices in line with reality and weed out the industry of the companies that are a blight to those people trying to make an honest living, like yourself. The used boat market is great for buyers and with reduced quotas, high fuel prices, limited seasons, and less fish, there are more people who can't afford to keep their boats and use them.

Probably the surest way to improve the odds of survival of a boat business is to make sure you have a good business reputation, at all costs, and make unhappy customers happy.....at all costs. Because bad word travels fast and resonates for a long, long time in the industry.......don't you think?

Boat shows are a necessary evil and worthless. When we had the Contender Booth in AC in 2006 the costs were ridiculous and the show coordinators are greedy thieves . The one credit card slip that I signed off on for Internet a couple cheap card tables and chairs and 2 power sources in the booth were 20k that's just a piece of the pie, each banner hung yup more money, each boat moved yep more money, carpet now were talking gold right...friggen bs. Then the show got the bright Idea in 2008 To block Internet and wireless cards so you had to purchase their Internet then in turn our customers that normally call on their way in for tickets couldn't even get ahold of their sales rep because the showed blocked cell service INTELIGENT RIGHT ... my ticket lists and pre-purchased tickets went to waste and I had nothing but pissed off customers and staff.

[frankypettolina]

WCL- you are right. I just had a conversation with a friend of mine the other day who is looking to buy an older, in need of love and repair, 31 bertram (this friend also happens to be in the industry as a Fiberglass repair guy). He was telling me how he can't get a broker to return his phone calls, and he feels it is because he is looking to buy something well south of 50k. I couldn't believe it, in this day and age, where alot of brokers are starving, my buddy's phone should be ringing off the hook with follow up calls. But anyway, the point i was getting at- as surveyors, mechanics, repair techs, brokers, yard managers etc etc etc we are all in the marine service industry. Our clients, for the most part, are trying to maximize the use of their leisure time (or are trying to maximize the profitability of their business in the commercial sector). When owning a boat becomes more of a chore than a leisure activity the boat will go away ("why should i spend all this darn money on something i am not enjoying")

Alot of us in the industry are trying to look on the bright side by saying that those of us that survive this recession will come out of it stronger and with less of the hacks and cut-throats out there.

We shall see.

I am curious to hear what the folks that go to the Harrisburg Sportsmans Show say about the foot traffic and attitudes there.

[Banshee]

Franky,
You going to be In Harrisburg next week? I think Larry Wekley and I will be up there Thursday and friday. I may have to buy you a cold beer.
JW

[worldcat lemon]

WCL- you are right. I just had a conversation with a friend of mine the other day who is looking to buy an older, in need of love and repair, 31 bertram (this friend also happens to be in the industry as a Fiberglass repair guy). He was telling me how he can't get a broker to return his phone calls, and he feels it is because he is looking to buy something well south of 50k. I couldn't believe it, in this day and age, where alot of brokers are starving, my buddy's phone should be ringing off the hook with follow up calls. But anyway, the point i was getting at- as surveyors, mechanics, repair techs, brokers, yard managers etc etc etc we are all in the marine service industry. Our clients, for the most part, are trying to maximize the use of their leisure time (or are trying to maximize the profitability of their business in the commercial sector). When owning a boat becomes more of a chore than a leisure activity the boat will go away ("why should i spend all this darn money on something i am not enjoying")

Alot of us in the industry are trying to look on the bright side by saying that those of us that survive this recession will come out of it stronger and with less of the hacks and cut-throats out there.

We shall see.

I am curious to hear what the folks that go to the Harrisburg Sportsmans Show say about the foot traffic and attitudes there.

It is highly likely that people who run their business with honesty and integrity, who charge a fair fee for service will survive this mess, and those who provide substandard service, treat their customers like a never ending stream of cash (ie "Cash Cow"), and who lie, cheat, and steal every penny from the customer is going to end up asking the age old question ......"Do you want that supersized? Please pull forward". I believe Town Creek Marina and World Cat (Powercat Group) will be included in the latter group based on the scam I saw them pull on 3 owners of ONE model!!!!! When Andrew asks "do you want fries with that?" I will say "of course you moron! And throw in an apple pie while you're at it"!!!!!!!

Yes sir, this economy will be like the flu epidemic of 1918 and only the Healthy will survive

Here are some scenes from one of my all-time favorite movies (besides "The Princess Bride"). This kind of sums it up I think;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7DmtYuYhAs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6__cGa4V-ww