Boat Business present and future

That is quite the post. However you are a perfect example of the economy crumbling from the bottom up.

You couldn't sell trucks because of fuel prices. The big three, for whatever reason, relies on truck sales to stay in business (Ford, obviously less so). The guys who lost their jobs or who had their hours cut, and/or saw the writing on the wall could not buy boats.

Because boats weren't selling guys building boats couldn't buy cars/trucks/rv's etc, etc.


The list goes on. People can think what they want, they can pick and choose what to believe based on what the TV tells them, but the fact of the matter is 4/gallon gasoline crippled this economy.

And yes your right you should have saw it coming 5 years ago. I did. And I pared down my expenses and cost of living accordingly.

The dealers on the other hand. THEY were the ones being greedy. Boat builders just supplied what the dealers said they needed.
Now guess what. Some of those mega dealers are bankrupt because of unsellable stock. And LOTS of it.

Trickle down economics don't work because that isn't how it works. Period. It trickles up. WE spend money to buy things that others like us build. Which keeps the big guys in business and THAT is how they make their money.

It doesn't trickle down. Ever.

HydraSports,
I cant tell where you are coming from on many points of your last post.

Unpack those comments a little bit brother! Im all for discussing but, I cant tell if you are agreeing or not or none of the above?

Please forgive me if this is off point to the others that have commented. It is not my intent to hijack in any way this thread.

As far as being an example of bottom up crash, * I agree*

Although truck sales were a part of our business they were not the meat (for us) but many dealers bombed that were reliant on the SUV and truck market.

As far as I should have seen it coming? I dont think I said I should have seen it coming BUT, When you have a train rolling that is loaded and a car comes on the track GUESS WHAT HAPPENS? There's a wreck and both vessels lose.

To say you can make adjustments and downsize sounds great in theory but, reality sometimes dont quite work that way unless everything is paid for and you can fire everyone but yourself. unfortunately most times you cant downsize certain fixed expenses.

Now can millionaires, (real ones) not paper hangers but liquid cash big boy millionaires cover and adjust? Yes but, I think I speak for most of the small business owners that have mortgages, bills, interest payments, and other fixed expenses when you experience a catastrophic market drop, It's curtains baby!


When the storm hits you ride it out. Some make it to shore and others fall. I fell, I'm a big boy, did I make mistakes in retrospect? sure, but would it have changed the outcome? I doubt it! When you go from selling 75 units a month to 18, and not just one month but 4-5-6 months,, I would say that the market dictates the production and not the other way around.


When the market drops by 60%, I dont quite call stocking for those projections from the marine dealers standpoint greedy, and I am not a marine dealer so I have no reason to be for or against that arguement and I respect your opinion even if it is contrary to my beliefs.


My projections may be off-point but, please by all means reply back. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/glasses.gif

OK, gang...the auction is 7 Jan. We have to wait. Speculation is non-productive!!!