For those who read our e-newsletter on a regular basis, you’re sure to have noticed a lot of stories lately about layoffs, plant closings and weak earnings reports. (Read More…)

The endlessly skyrocketing price of boating fuel has now become a relentless headache for the American boater. Accustomed to paying no more than two or three dollars per gallon for decades, boaters are now paying more than twice that amount for fuel. As a result, boaters are unable to decide how to adjust to this change. (Read More…)

I recently got a boat delivered to me. It was a custom order that I was very pleased to have earned. In the current marketplace it was for a custom Bass Boat, a market we are just breaking into with one of the high level manufacturers. It had been ordered in the “official” 2008 model year and; therefore, was priced at 2008 pricing. (Read More…)

For those of you, including myself, who remember Jackie Gleason, my favorite line of his was “How sweet it is.” (Read More…)

Yesterday was the opening of MAATS and exhibitors appear to be taking a realistic, but optimistic approach to the market. (Read More…)

I just received my newsletter from the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association and my eye went to a story about a difference of opinion regarding the allowable number of paid sick days. (Read More…)

I was on a boat ride the other night and a couple told me about all the enjoyment they received with their boat and how their boat was the vacation spot for their family when the kids were younger. Weekends and summers were always spent on the boat. (Read More…)

It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again, the boating industry needs to speak out loudly against permitting regulations being proposed for recreational boaters. (Read More…)

Three to four times a week someone from the news media calls our association office to ask the same questions: “Are boat sales off because of the economy?  Or, Is the price of fuel going to impact boating this summer?” (Read More…)

President Bush and forty state governors have declared the month of June great outdoors month and this week is great outdoors week.  A very fitting time to spend the last two days in Washington, DC, attending meetings of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the American Recreation Coalition (ARC).  I serve as the Chairman of both organizations. (Read More…)