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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Great news for the boating industry out of CHAPIN, S.C.

The name Boater’s Edge will soon be attached to 37 boat retail centers in the United States in 15 states.

According to a press release from the organization today. Formed under the auspices of parent organization Boat Dealers Alliance, each location will remain independently owned and operated while providing retail buyers with new services to enhance the boating experience. Priority service, Bow-to-Stern Extended Service Contracts, Certified Pre-Owned Extended Warranty, Competitive Retail Financing and Learn How-To-Boat Seminars are some of the items the dealerships will collectively be offering.

“All of our members are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of their dealerships,” states Bob vanVollenhoven, BDA executive director. “Unlike other business models, these owners aren’t looking for an exit strategy. Instead they enjoy providing personalized service, diversified products matched to each geographic area they serve and nimble management these challenging economic times require to succeed.”

Boater’s Edge dealers represent nearly 70 brands.

Rather than rise and fall on the fortunes of a single brand, the group enjoys strong partnerships with industry vendors who also recognize the need for a nationwide marketing effort combined with individual best practices that develop from local entrepreneurial spirit.

“There are different boating needs in different parts of the country,” said Mike Hebert, owner of Texas Marine and Boater’s Edge group president.

“We feel one of the challenges that the bigger conglomerates have come up against is a more limited product offering. Because our members are not tied to one manufacturer, we believe this will be an advantage for the group.”

“Boat manufacturers want quality retailers,” vanVollenhoven said. “That’s what Boater’s Edge will bring.

All of our dealers were early adopters of 5-Star Certification and last year half of them were recognized as (Boating Industry)Top 100 Dealers. Our strategy is to grow the organization over the next few years while expanding the coast-to-coast services for customers who travel with their boat.”

When launched later this year, the group’s Web site, www.boatersedge.com, will serve as a resource link to locate Boater’s Edge dealers, offer a comprehensive used boat listing site and include a social network for boaters to share destinations and boating tips. The site will be updated in phases.

Boater’s Edge Dealers

Alabama: Buck’s Island Marina, Southside

California: Bayport Yachts, Newport Beach

Connecticut: Boats Incorporated, Niantic

Georgia: Custom Marine, Statesboro

Florida: Thunder Marine, St. Petersburg/Englewood; Plantation Boat Mart & Marina, Tavernier

Illinois: Cope Marine, O’Fallon; Spring Brook Marina, Seneca

Maine: Port Harbor Marine, South Portland/Raymond/Holden/Rockport/Bucksport

Massachusetts: 3A Marine Services, Hingham

Minnesota: Wayzata Marine, Wayzata; Minnetonka Marine, Minnetonka

Missouri: Cope Marine, Branson; Smithville Marine, Smithville; Village Marina & Yacht Club, Eldon/Osage Beach

New Jersey: Irwin Marine, Red Bank

Ohio: Beaver Park Marina, Lorain

South Carolina: Outdoor RV & Marina World, Columbia/Myrtle Beach/Greer/Summerville/Chapin

Texas: Boat Town, Austin/Lakeside/San Antonio; Phil Dill Boats, Lewisville; Texas Marine & Brokerage, Texas Marine of Beaumont/Texas Marine of Houston/Texas Marine of Clear Lake/Texas Marine Yachts & Brokerage – League City

Utah: Robertson Marine, Salt Lake City

Thanks to www.boating-industry.com for this.
Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bring you news and views from the boating industry. Information coming out of Minneapolis, MN. Lund, Crestliner aren’t facing cuts for now in soft boat market. However, recreational boat maker Brunswick Corp. is eliminating 50 jobs at its Bayliner factory in Pipestone, Minn.

 Brunswick Corporation’s announcement on Thursday that it plans to scale back its recreational boat manufacturing won’t have any immediate effect on the company’s two Minnesota-based subsidiaries, Lund Boat Co. and Crestliner Inc., said Brunswick spokesman Dan Kubera.

But he added that the company will eliminate about 50 jobs at its Bayliner boat factory in Pipestone, Minn.

Citing declining sales in the wake of escalating oil prices and a sluggish economy, Brunswick expects to close 12 plants by 2010 and eliminate about 2,700 jobs.

Dustan McCoy, Brunswick’s chairman and chief executive officer, said the retail demand for boats was down 21 percent in the first quarter of 2008.

Numbers for April and May, usually hot months for boat sales, “have shown no release from the declining trend,” he said Thursday morning.

According to Statistical Surveys Inc., which tracks new boat registrations, first-quarter aluminum and fiberglass boat sales were down 20.4 percent from 2007 nationally.

Minnesota boat sales in the first quarter were down 34.1 percent, but Minnesota’s boat builders say it’s not quite time for panicking.

Irwin Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Minneapolis-based Genmar, acknowledged tough times for the boating industry, but said he isn’t too worried yet.

“There is no question that we’re in a different world, business-wise, today,” Jacobs said. “But is the world coming unglued? No, not for us.”

Genmar is the largest privately held boat manufacturer in Minnesota.

Jacobs said Genmar has had some layoffs and has reorganized some production facilities to be more efficient. But he said sales for fiscal 2008, ending next Thursday, will be only about 5 percent lower than the year before.

“We do not have the same problems that Brunswick is projecting,” Jacobs said.

Despite rising fuel costs and a pinch on disposable income, one thing remains true: Minnesotans love their boats.

“[Boating] is really woven into the fabric of our society in the Upper Midwest,” said Luke Kujawa, president and COO for Minneapolis-based Crystal Pierz Marine, a family-owned boat seller since 1956. “People aren’t going to give up boating very easily.” Thanks to EMMA L. CAREW, Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com for this.

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Rick Ostler, North American Waterway

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler at North American Waterway, bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry.

Tim Hortons customer rolls away in a new boat!

The boat was presented to Gagnon on Monday, June 2 at the Tim Hortons located at 199 Main Street in Grand Falls, New Brunswick.

“It was great to see that I had won the boat when I rolled up the rim,” Gagnon said. “All I have won in the past were free coffees and doughnuts and this boat is way better,” added Gagnon who plans on selling his prize.

The thrill of winning a Bayliner Boat

“Having a grand prize winner at our store creates a lot of excitement,” said Michele Ruest, Tim Hortons store owner. “People are happy when they win a donut or a coffee, so you can imagine how thrilling it is when a customer becomes the proud owner of a boat or other grand prize! It’s a wonderful way to reward our loyal customers.”

100 Bayliner 185 Boats in Tim Horton’s Contest

During the contest, customers who buy a medium, large or extra large hot beverage at Tim Hortons get a chance to win one of over 31 million available prizes. This year’s prizes include 35 Toyota 2009 Matrix XR AWD, 100 Bayliner Boat Packages, 5,000 Garmin GPS navigation devices, 20,000 $50 Tim Cards and over 31 million food prizes. Thanks to victoriastar.canadaeast.com

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Rick Ostler, North American Waterway

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