Boat sales may not, yet, be rockin’ in the Wolverine State, but the Michigan Boating Industry Association is steppin’ out when it comes to the pursuit of favorable legislation for its members. (Read More…)

I want to talk about someone who is among those in our industry I most admired. Indeed, I was also proud to call him a friend. (Read More…)

Things are still ugly out there, of course. But, when we look for some positive news these days, seems we can find some. And, I think we’re finding it more often now, and that encourages me. (Read More…)

There are no dealers who have escaped the turmoil of the current economic downturn. As a result, it’s pretty safe to assume most dealers have made substantial, if not total, cuts in their marketing budgets. It seems there must be some law that says when cash flow is tight, budgets for marketing are the first to get the squeeze. (Read More…)

The marine industry is putting on a full-court-press to get assistance from Washington that will unlock floorplan and consumer credit, even while President Obama announced yesterday the freeing up of billions for small business. (Read More…)

Feel like you’re up to your butt in alligators? As the owner or manager of a dealership or marina in this economic climate, the old gag — “It’s lonely at the top, but you eat better” – may apply to you (and I can’t be sure about the “eat better” part these days!). (Read More…)

Having trouble keeping track of the trillions supposedly flowing from Washington to “help” us? Me, too. Why there’s TARP I and TARP II, the huge Stimulus package, the giant Budget, the grand Porkulus appropriation bill and who knows what else. And, now, along comes TALF! (I think I hear Abba singing “Feel the beat of the tambourine.”) (Read More…)

Almost overnight, people stopped spending the way we’d come to know. For the past 30 years, as the U.S. economy was generally growing, so did our appetite for buying everything in sight! But late last summer there was an abrupt reversal. Since then, even the “wealthy” have cut back on their buying. (Read More…)

If we can wish for anything good to come from this deep recession, it should be less boats! No, I’m not talking about less boat sales, just a lot less models. (Read More…)