No CSI Award for J.D. Power
May 31, 2007
Another customer satisfaction award season has come and gone in the marine industry, and it seems time for someone to comment on the emperor’s clothes — to question whether the presence of J.D. Power in our industry is more destructive than constructive. No one argues with the value of survey information,... Read more »
Pump Segment Keeps Pace with Marine Industry
May 31, 2007
The pumps segment of the marine industry is not immune to the challenges that face the industry as a whole. Flat and declining sales among OEMs are resulting in fewer pumps being needed for boats. While U.S. manufacturers report being under assault from imported goods that threaten to undermine product... Read more »
A New Measure
May 31, 2007
In today’s marine business world, more and more dealers are catching on to the idea of tracking technician efficiency. For many of them, however, the number they arrive at is simply that: a number that is known but rarely understood. And still, many others, aren’t yet tracking the number to begin... Read more »
Service with a Smile
May 31, 2007
There’s no better way for a dealership to generate good will — or ill will — than with its service department. One that operates efficiently, does good work and goes the extra mile for customers can earn that family’s business for life. One that doesn’t … well, a recent article in Business... Read more »
Back To The Future
May 31, 2007
Sea Ray founder C.N. Ray personally visited many of his dealers in the 60’s and 70’s, flying his private jet cross country to big and small towns alike. At the time, private jets were rare, and the townspeople would often gather to welcome him, placing the dealership being visited in a new light... Read more »
Death prompts demand for tougher PWC laws
May 29, 2007
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The family of a 14-year-old boy who died from injuries obtained in a personal watercraft accident two months ago is pushing for Florida lawmakers to raise the minimum age at which a child can legally operate the vessels to 16, according to an article yesterday in the Miami Herald.... Read more »
Builder hopes Bermuda voyage will spur sales
May 29, 2007
HUDSON, Fla. — Ralph Brown, owner of Dream Boats Inc., in Hudson, Fla., recently completed a 1,547 mile sea voyage in the 21-foot Intruder flats boat he designed, according to a article on www.hernandotoday.com. The journey began April 30 in Atlantic Beach, N.C. and ended May 11 in the New York Harbor. Brown,... Read more »
Congress introduces boater friendly legislation
May 29, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Representatives Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) and Candice Miller (R-Mich.) introduced legislation to prevent commercial shipping regulations from expanding and burdening family boaters, the National Marine Manufacturers Association reported in a statement today. In 1973, the... Read more »
Boaters to participate in security debate
May 29, 2007
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard officials are preparing for a National Small Vessel Security Summit, which will take place June 19-20, BoatU.S. reported in a statement on late Friday. The summit comes in the wake of the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole in... Read more »
Dockwise christens “super” transport
May 29, 2007
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Dockwise Yacht Transport, the world’s only float-on/float-off yacht transport service, has christened the 687.5-foot Yacht Express at the Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China, the largest vessel of its kind in the world, the company said in a release last week. “Following... Read more »
