Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

[TheChad]

Hey all,<br /><br />I have been looking into purchasing a new boat, we have narrowed it down to the Lowe Fish & Ski FS175, Mainly because it's the only Aluminum Boat, that is welded, and has built in jump seats. (That we can find)..<br /><br />But I was looking at the Lund website, and it says that Brunswick now owns Lund as well...<br /><br />It just seams weird that Brunswick seams to own, and is buying out all majior Boat makers... I mean Lowe, Lund, Crestliner, Bayliner, Mercury, MerCrusier, Trophy, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, etc...<br /><br />Other than total market domination, It just doesn't make since as to why they are buying up all thease different manufacturers... Then They keep them all seperate... It would seam to make more since to combine them into one name, and just have many different models.... Also some of them are Riveted, some are welded...<br /><br />I know everyone here already knows thease facts... I just find it really weird... Pretty soon there wont be a fav. company, cuz brunswick will own them all!<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Genmar owns the rest. As long as those boats still make money, they'll keep making them. <br /><br />spots

 

[KCook]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

The name separation is mainly to keep dealers happy. They would rather see one each dealer for Crestliner, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, and Triton than 5 dealers for BrunswickTinAmalgmated in the same town. Also it makes it easier for Brunswick to sell one of these off when the whim hits.<br /><br />Genmar has been shrinking, by selling to Brunswick.<br /><br />#3 major player in the US is Tracker.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac, Geo, Cadilac, Oldsmobile. Brunswick is no different than General Motors in that they own several different brands. A lot of American corporations own separate companies that often compete against each other with the same types of products.

 

[Booner]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

quote by thechad<br />__________________________________________________<br />Mainly because it's the only Aluminum Boat, that is welded, and has built in jump seats. (That we can find)..<br />__________________________________________________<br />Chad Crestliner make a fish / ski that is welded and has the jump seats in the back. Also Chad don’t put a lot of stock into welded aluminum is beater. I have two riveted aluminums nether one leaks one is a 1962 Sea King the other a LUND.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Here in Western Canada there any several small independant manufacturers of welded aluminum boats. (Lifetimer, Daigle, Silver Streak, ABD, Bridgeview, Ironwood to name a few) That maybe because the popularity of such boats are increasing dramatically. I don't know much about the industry but I believe that manufacturers are able to make them more cheaply than they used to. I own one and love how easy it is to maintain, especially in a salt water enviroment.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

still a few independents... i hope grady never sells out.

 

[Straightup]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Great Avitar Aquaski!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Its called "growth by acquisition". A vital part of the strategic plan at Brunswick. Just look at how many distributors have been bought and put under the Land-N-Sea banner. BTW -- LNS is also part of the Brunswick Boat Group.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

In the 30's they were called "Robber Baron's " because they gained control over a product and then hiked the price to whatever they wanted. Greed never stops.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Originally posted by AguaSki:<br /> Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac, Geo, Cadilac, Oldsmobile. Brunswick is no different than General Motors in that they own several different brands. A lot of American corporations own separate companies that often compete against each other with the same types of products.

This is true... One huge difference.... The car manufacturers use mostly all the same parts.. Some of the different 'models' have very few different parts, usually those parts are apperance parts, like body panels, special colors, etc... But they use the same glass, same chassis, same engines, same transmissions, etc...<br /><br />Just a thought..<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[TheChad]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Originally posted by Booner:<br /> quote by thechad<br />__________________________________________________<br />Mainly because it's the only Aluminum Boat, that is welded, and has built in jump seats. (That we can find)..<br />__________________________________________________<br />Chad Crestliner make a fish / ski that is welded and has the jump seats in the back. Also Chad don’t put a lot of stock into welded aluminum is beater. I have two riveted aluminums nether one leaks one is a 1962 Sea King the other a LUND.

Yeah, I've looked at the Crestliner. Crestliner was actually my first choice.. The Crestliner Fish & Ski is ALOT more expensive.. The Lowe 17 Foot Fish & Ski with optional accessories is $20,000~ out the door. The Crestliner was upward of $30,000.<br /><br />I was looking at the Lund but the turn off was the riveted. I've heard alot of mixed feelings about riveted, but welded is pretty universal as being strong.<br /><br />.. I was thinking of this the other day .. Now that virtually all boats have decks in them, and bilge pumps, how would you ever really know if a weld or a rivet was leaking? it would have to be a huge leak to really notice.<br /><br />My primary thought about rivetes is the rattle factor... Aluminum will transfer vibrations threw the entire boat sooner or later its going to loosen the rivetes, there's no way around that.. Welded shouldn't have any effect against vibrations, unless there's a really weak weld..<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[KCook]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Good grief, my riveted Tracker didn't rattle! Maybe after a half century, but I've never kept a boat that long. Where did you see this "rattle" theory? <br /><br />tight Kelly

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Don't forget Maxum

 

[JasonB]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Have you looked at Smokercraft? May be riveted, can't remember, but I like their layouts.

 

[TheChad]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Originally posted by KCook:<br /> Good grief, my riveted Tracker didn't rattle! Maybe after a half century, but I've never kept a boat that long. Where did you see this "rattle" theory? <br /><br />tight Kelly

I've been in several Riveted Jon boats that had serious rattles.<br /><br />We plan on keeping this boat till it sinks, or otherwise wears out.<br /><br /><br />-TheChad

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

A 15' boat with a 40 hp is way over powered and being driven very hard also. The problem with your boat is you. Aluminum is as good as ANY other if treated correctly.

 

[JC1933]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Hi Guys.<br /><br /> I have 1994 Smoker craft it has rivets ,don't leak,don't rattle.<br />Verry wel built boat,rivets are stronger than welded,airoplanes use rivets,this should proove how strong they are. Have a good day all...Claude...

 

[TheChad]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Originally posted by cyclops2:<br /> A 15' boat with a 40 hp is way over powered and being driven very hard also. The problem with your boat is you. Aluminum is as good as ANY other if treated correctly.

Umm excuse me? The boat is rated for up to a 55HP motor. It has a 40HP, and it only goes about 25. It is definitly not "Overpowered".<br /><br />Who said there is a problem with my boat? I am purchasing a new boat because I am looking for a larger boat...<br /><br />There was never a question about aluminum... I am sold on Aluminum. I dislike fiberglass, Alot.<br /><br />-TheChad

 

[TheChad]

Re: Brunswick - Owner of *Almost* All that floats?

Originally posted by jc1933:<br /> Hi Guys.<br /><br /> I have 1994 Smoker craft it has rivets ,don't leak,don't rattle.<br />Verry wel built boat,rivets are stronger than welded,airoplanes use rivets,this should proove how strong they are. Have a good day all...Claude...

That's the oldest, and stupidest claim to Rivets strength that has been going around forever..<br /><br />Airplains use rivets because of the massive stress and need to be able to expand and contract with the pressure as they change altitude. Airplanes also use different kind of rivets, Mostly "Pop Rivets".<br /><br />I have never heard a Welded Aluminum boat rattle.. I have heard Riveted Jon Boat's rattle.. That's just personal experience.<br /><br />Thanks for the input though..<br /><br />-TheChad