Tough Times For Boat Manufacturers

[SPBFAN]

I wonder how this compares to the late 70's early 80's recession for boats and RV's. I had a friend who's father lost his dealership back then. He was a Wellcraft Polaris dealer. He went under in about 82/83

There a couple dealerships in Salt Lake that are about ready to fold from what I hear.

which ones KONA?

[KonaKing]

My brother in law wouldn't say yet, but he did say you would know by the end of summer.?????????????? Anything else on my part would be pure speculation.

[chpthril]

My brother in law wouldn't say yet, but he did say you would know by the end of summer.?????????????? Anything else on my part would be pure speculation.

Hell, if a dealer makes it till Summer, they may survive!

[jwanck11]

I don think so Chp... time will tell...

[dogbert]

I don think so Chp... time will tell...

It depends on the market. Higher end boats tend to be better insulated from the downturn. So, it would depend on the other lines the dealer carried.

[jwanck11]

They do T, They do, but this is a very different time/economy, isn't it?

[dogbert]

They do T, They do, but this is a very different time/economy, isn't it?

Yeah, it's really bringing all the dumba$$ into the spotlight...like our gov down here in TX.

[jwanck11]

Unfortunately we are right there with you.... Mayor right on up

The affluent in this area are holding on tighter than someone prarie dogging with 100 miles to the nearest bathroom.... New Jersey shore real estate tells the story.

[Tige M.D.]

What ever dealer does make it thru is going to make a fortune when things get moving again. They will have more business than they know what to do with.

[Domsz06]

What ever dealer does make it thru is going to make a fortune when things get moving again. They will have more business than they know what to do with.

that is so true. so true!

[MoneyPity]

That is making one big assumption. Will the recreational industry recover from this downturn. Each time we have had downturns we have less players in recreational industry(not just boats) after recovery. Will the consumer still have "disposable" income to support these industries. Assume the company I work for survives. The entire company took a hit to the tune of 10% or more in real salary reductions. Assuming we survive, it will take over 3 years of typical merit increases from that company to return to their 2008 income. In real terms employees of the company 3-5 years from now will most likely not have disposable "toy" income if they are the young blood in the company raising younguns and dealing with how to build college funds. To me this just means more pressure on recreational industry to survive with a shrinking customer base.