I don’t ever remember this happing before…but, we are down to one used boat. Yes…it is a record that may stand for a while… We have been setting a few records in this most unusual year. Most have been good records but some have been bad. Our service department has been more productive than ever before. Our slip rentals in the marinas are on a record pace. We winterized more boats than any other year and did it with half as many people. We stored and launched a record number of boats this year. Used boat sales are at a record pace. Our new and used inventory is as low as I can ever recall for this time of year. Last week a customer picked up the largest and most expensive boat we have ever sold, another good record for us!

Some of the not so good records have to do with new boat sales. Right now it seems new boats have less demand than used boats. However, it is an opportunity for our customers to get a tremendous value on a new boat with full warranty and record amounts of factory money. So, new boat prices are fantastic and we need great trades to replenish our used inventory. It seems like a match made in heaven for those who are looking for a different boat! Yes…that makes the value for the consumers a record.

Dave

It is no secret that boat sales are down the last few years. It is a difficult time to work at any boat dealership. The news is negative and financing can be difficult to arrange. Bailouts and swine flu are stealing the headlines. The old ways of doing business certainly are being attacked. Change is in the air and in the water.

We have changed our company to better compete in today’s environment. We have right sized our crew. Every remaining crew member has multiple new responsibilities. With 45% less staff than we had in the beginning of 2008 everyone has to cover responsibilities of people who are no longer part of our team. We are stream lining the models we offer. We have changed how we help customers with their service, winter storage, and marina needs.

We are aggressively working on our internet marketing. We have started to make video presentations of our used units. These videos are posted on youtube and linked to our web sites. We are making plans for redoing our newsletter. We are now posting as many actual photos of our new boats as possible; manufacturer’s stock photos are no longer acceptable. We are the first dealership in the country to use a text messaging service to send information to inquiring customers.

There are however a few things that haven’t changed at our company. We have a desire to help people find the right boat and help them enjoy their time on the water. We are determined to try to get better at what we do everyday. We are very particular about the brands and models of boats we offer. We have a passion for the boating lifestyle and for helping people with their boating needs.

With our philosophy intact and our ability to change with the market, we will do what we have always done. We have always emerged from adversity as a better company. I don’t know when business will increase, but I do know that when it does we will have learned how to be more efficient, offer more services and be an even better place to buy your next boat from.

Dave

The ice at Brown’s Bay on Easter Sunday.

Ok… entry # 3. The people of Minnesota seem to be ready for summer! The long winter and negative news reports have our customers ready for a great summer. On Easter I was watching the lake to make sure the ice didn’t damage the marina on Brown’s Bay. Three days later everyone was ready to launch their boats. Friday, Lord Fletcher’s one of the local on the water restaurants, was packed as though summer was in full swing. The maker buoys are already out on lower lake.

We have also been very busy in the showrooms. Used boats and new 2007-08’s seem to be very popular. The values on the new 2007’s and 2008’s are the best I have ever seen. People who buy now are beating the inevitable price increases that will come very soon. The manufacturers will not be able to increase production to meet the increased demand for at least two years. During that time, both new and used boats will have a great deal more demand than supply.

I am sleeping very well these days. A hard day’s work consisting of launching and transporting boats has me ready for bed early. I would recommend to anyone who is having trouble sleeping come over and help me for the day and you will sleep like a baby. The pay isn’t very good, but the sense of accomplishment is very gratifying.

Dave