Do Your Homework
January 30, 2007
Trying to compare dealer management systems is like drawing parallels between a johnboat and a yacht. Each works perfectly well in its ideal environment but would be totally inappropriate in another setting, making comparison meaningless. The needs of each dealer vary widely, according to the size of... Read more »
Hearing From Honda
January 30, 2007
The following are excerpts from a recent interview with John P Fulcher, senior manager, Honda Marine, which has been edited for brevity and clarity. The full text of the interview — which also included Steve Bailey, vice president, Honda Power Equipment Division — is available on www.boatingindustry.com... Read more »
Blind Date
January 30, 2007
With a slow-sales year behind and another one likely ahead, the boating industry may not be feeling particularly attractive. But that’s not how everyone sees it. The industry’s fragmented nature, baby boomer demographics, the increasing professionalism of its dealers and its efforts to improve through... Read more »
A Grip On The Future
January 30, 2007
None of the Top 100 Dealers have a crystal ball. But a big part of their success comes from planning for future opportunities and challenges. With boaters losing water access every day, the best dealers are developing strategies to meet this issue head-on, turning what many see as a problem into... Read more »
Creating A Super Store
January 30, 2007
Hitting a moving target is never easy. And that’s what boat-brand strategies are: plans in need of constant re-evaluation as product trends, economic climates, demographics and competitive landscapes ebb and flow, peak and fall. Those dealerships that are best at it may have few things in common.... Read more »
Class-action lawsuit bought against Caterpillar
January 30, 2007
DETROIT – A U.S. District Judge recently certified a national class-action lawsuit against Caterpillar Inc. that potentially affects more than 7,000 Caterpillar marine engines produced since 1996 and could result in damages in excess of $100 million, the Detroit News reported in a story on its Web... Read more »
MRAA calls for model-year meeting in Miami
January 30, 2007
OAK Park, Ill. – The Board of Directors of the Marine Retailers Association of America has called for a special meeting between outboard builders and dealers at the Miami Boat Show to discuss the elimination of outboard model years, MRAA reported in a “Special Member Report” message it sent out... Read more »
Malibu patents hydrofoil design
January 30, 2007
MERCED, Calif. – Malibu Boats was recently awarded a patent for its Power Wedge, an automatic hydrofoil that adjusts the attitude of the boat, as well as displacing the hull to modify the shape of the wake at each different foil position, the company reported in a recent release. The company was awarded... Read more »
Harvey plans new eco-tourism resort system
January 30, 2007
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Marine scientist, conservationist and artist, Dr. Guy Harvey has launched Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Marinas, a company that intends to develop a system of eco-tourism resorts targeted to fishing, diving and marine conservation enthusiasts, company representatives said... Read more »
MATES to hold annual meeting
January 30, 2007
CHICAGO – The Marine Association for Technology Exchange Standards will hold a public meeting at the Miami International Boat Show to provide an update on MATES activity, including news about data standards completed and in development, the organization reported in a release this morning. The agenda... Read more »
