How Small This Industry Is:

[DJ]

First quarter sales results are in for the US pleasure boat industry. The numbers are as follows:<br /><br />Sea Ray 2188<br />Bayliner 1753<br />Ranger 1038<br />Carolina Skiff 848<br />Triton 817<br />Tracker 756<br />Glastron 670<br />Chaparral 627<br />Skeeter 624<br />Four Winns 491<br /><br />Even extrapulated out for one year, these numbers are pretty low.<br /><br />It's no wonder that this industry is:<br /><br />1. Expensive. (to the consumer)<br />2. Somewhat slow to embrace new technology.<br /><br />Source: Trailer Boats Mag. (Oct. 2002)

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

I agree with both your comments. We have a couple of local dealers who have switched to automobile-type sales techniques to up their business, but this dosn't work with most boaters. Just drives them away. I think that if the industry became more responsive to customers, they would do a lot better. I actually had one dealer tell me that the approach I was taking to buying a boat wasn't "the way it was done in the boat business."

 

[dmessy]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

Interesting djohns..like to see the #s for the 2nd 1/4 as this is the peak sale time of the year(ie;good weather, long days, taxes are done..)Still very low compared to automotive industry.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

DJohns, those numbers still look pretty big to a New Zealander...LOL <br /><br />We have a thriving marine industry down here, building high quality boats...but our total local population of 4 million means we have to focus on exports to get anything near respectable sales quantities...

 

[DJ]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

Jack Shellac,<br /><br />I agree that the type tactics you cite do not agree with many boat buyers. Boat dealers are missing some points that SUCCESSFUL auto. dealers know all to well.<br /><br />1. The service and parts department should be able to pay almost all of the stores fixed expenses. Why don't boat dealers concentrate on service??<br /><br />2. The F & I office (finance) is the most profitable (per square footage) of any in an auto. store.<br /><br />3. Most auto dealers make more profit from used cars than new. Why? Used cars are unique (mileage, condition, etc.) It's harder to shop price on a used car. Why don't boat dealers embrace the used market?<br /><br />I dare say that once boat dealers realize these facts (some successful ones do), they'll be more profitable.<br /><br />I have bought many boats in my life. Three of the many were new. The three experiences I had while buying new were awful. I had to basically beg them to sell me what I wanted. <br />I had to arrange my own financing and none of the dealers had any used to speak of.<br /><br />After the sale(s), I felt like a leper. The service departments resembled caves and it was hard to get them to to do service I was willing to pay for.<br /><br />dmessy,<br /><br />Yes, it will be interesting to see the year end results-good point. I'll keep my eyes open.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

Djohns, I have often chuckled in my beer over the much flaunted J D Powers surveys...and the fact that a 2000 unit a year manufacturer is number one in the boat building industry...this is a fragmented, 'custom' business....it brings alot of flavor to the market, but it will never be as cohesive as the automotive business...heck we still cant get the boat builders to play nice with their own dealers, and engine manufacturers that say they 'are market driven'...which to me means that the sale is the #1 [and sometimes only] thing they worry about....

 

[vinney]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

I feel we all in the business need to be better. We need to bring the level up a knoch in every thing we do. The techs need to be the best they can be. Sales needs to be there after the sale. We are the only ones that can do it. We need to work together and make this business better every day. We usally are good at service but lack good businees skills. What ever we lack we all need to get better. It's up to all of us. I try my best to get my guy's to read the books and no one ever wants to. We need to be the best to survive. It's in our own hand. There is one else to blame but our selfs. Lets work harder and become better at service and lets work on our business and lets work together.If labor rates were the same in an area people woun't shop price If we bought in bulk oil we would make more margins We need to do better in every way. Lets go. Vinney

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

Yes a very low number. Boats unlike cars are usually not replaced on a 2 year basis. Many many people buy a new car keep it 2 years and trade it in how many boat owners do the same thing? I can say with a certianty not many. Most of buy a used boat and keep it till it is all worn out perform some shady on it and keep it a little longer. How many folks do that with cars? Cars are a necessity you have to have one that runs well in order to get to work. Boats are a luxury and you usually make do rather than spend more money to make sure you have a nice one thus the popularity of this site.

 

[DJ]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

Vinney,<br /><br />Your quote. "We usally are good at service but lack good business skills."<br /><br />That's the second time you've said that and I think you are right on. <br /><br />The last two "new" boat rigs that I purchased were a nightmare. The people that I dealt with had virtually no interpersonal skills and really didn't know anything about anything. It's a good thing that i knew what I wanted. I shudder to think what some novice ends up with. Wait a minute, we know exactly what they end up with. <br /><br />Once the sale was complete I felt like I had some kind of infectious disease. And these were the BEST dealers in the areas that I lived.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: How Small This Industry Is:

Count myself lucky, I guess. I bought a new Lund last year (dreamed about it for about 10 years first), and the experience was great. The salesman was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Found out how I wanted to use the boat, recommended equipment and gave solid reasons for the recommendations. When the boat was ready, he took me for a boat ride and explained everything. I'd never power loaded a boat in my life and in five minutes I was an expert. It can be good.<br /><br />Oh, incidientally, I still like the boat.