Pump Prices Not the Only Factor
July 29, 2011
In a recent poll conducted by Boating Industry and RBC Capital Markets, dealers said their No. 1 concern going into the 2011 season was rising fuel prices. However, fuel prices may not play as big a role as other economic factors. In August 2008, at the start of the recession and the height of the last... Read more »
ADP Grows Its Marine Business
July 29, 2011
Dealer management systems were relatively primitive beasts back in 1983, when powersports dealer Hal Ethington set out to improve the efficiency of his business. In an effort to rethink the way he managed his parts department, Ethington hooked up with a software designer to create a system soon to be... Read more »
Q&A: The Internet Inside and Out
July 29, 2011
The Web is always changing, and I’m sure Gordy’s online presence is as well. What new things are Gordy’s doing online? We are in the process of redoing our website. We should have a new site ready to launch this summer. Some of the areas that we are focusing on with the new site include more imagery,... Read more »
The Magic of Merchandising
July 29, 2011
Most marine dealerships sell accessories, but few treat this area of their business as the profit center and driver of foot traffic that it could become. To see profits rise in this segment, dealers must understand retail merchandising. Webster’s dictionary defines merchandising as “the planning... Read more »
Moving Beyond Digital Brochures
July 29, 2011
In the early days of the Web, boat manufacturers were like most other businesses. They didn’t understand how to leverage the new medium’s potential, so they did what they knew, putting up specs and photos — the type of information customers might have picked up at a boat show or in a dealership. Basically,... Read more »
22 Ways to Improve Your Website
July 29, 2011
As the Internet’s influence over consumers’ purchasing behavior continues to grow, marine dealerships that design their websites to maximize this opportunity have a distinct competitive advantage. With this in mind, Boating Industry magazine asked three of the marine market’s leading Internet experts... Read more »
Legendary Resiliency
July 29, 2011
Back in early 2010, after a few grueling years of trying to get business out of the hole and back up on plane, Legendary Marine had encouraging news to report: The Destin, Fla.-based sales and service company had reduced its inventory of new boats to $6.5 million from the $20 million it started with... Read more »
American scientist investigate ocean garbage
July 29, 2011
The crew of the Sea Dragon is now docked in Vancouver after a 20-day exploratory cruise to the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The crew of the Sea Dragon is now docked in Vancouver after a 20-day exploratory cruise to the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch.” The expedition... Read more »
Sydney boat show starts on Friday
July 29, 2011
The 44th Sydney International Boat Show will start today with a marine industry breakfast at 7 a.m SYDNEY, Australia — The 44th Sydney International Boat Show will start today with a marine industry breakfast at 7 a.m. The theme for the breakfast and show this year is “Entertaining, education and... Read more »
Aquapalooza packs a crowd in Alabama
July 29, 2011
Approximately 25,000 people and 2,500 boats attended the annual AquaPalooza on-water concert on Lake Martin on July 23 LAKE MARTIN, Ala. — Approximately 25,000 people and 2,500 boats attended the annual AquaPalooza on-water concert on Lake Martin on July 23. Boats were packed stem to stern for over... Read more »
