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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

596.0. "Denny's in Grafton; what gives ?" by ULTRA::BURGESS (I don't DO big wakes) Wed Jan 24 1990 16:21

	I dropped in there yesterday - just HAPPENED TO BE IN THE AREA 
DON'CHA KNOW.  Things have changed;  far fewer Correct Crafts and the
other boats that were there a few months ago.  Lots of Marlins in the 
show room, 89 leftover Nautiques winterized, wrapped and put outside 
on the other side of Rte 140 (R & B distributors).
Casual talk with Denny:  "Times change, people want cheap."  Similar 
small talk with his wife:  "My landlord wanted some space."   I saw 
them at the Worcs show, but didn't get over to their stand, so I don't 
know what they were exhibiting there.  BTW, the Water Ski Magazine 
1990 boat buyer's (should be buyers') guide has a coop CC ad on page 
265,  Denny's is conspicuously absent.  Walt, what do you know about 
it ?

	Reg
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
596.1Its Miller TimePACKER::GIBSONDTN225-5193Thu Jan 25 1990 09:5427
    Hi Reg. 
    
    Its been a while, Did you see Dick Ruby when you were there? Another
    good fellow Dennis Johansen just started working for Dick a few months
    ago. He used to be the Northeast Marine Rep.
    
    As Denny told ya. People want cheap. (read between the lines) The
    pleasure boating market is so saturated with popcorn boats that with
    the current economy around here you just about have to give the boats
    away. And its going to get worse! Arn't ya glad we didn't open that
    boat shop?
    As with anything, there are some exceptions. When you get over into the 
    Sportfish Market Sales have not fallen anywhere near as much as with
    pleasure boats. The Die hard water skiers who bought ski boats will
    still buy ski boats. Its the Grey area market (LCD) consisting of
    people with lots of disposable income (Whats That?) who went out 3-5
    years ago and bought a runabout as a toy, thats really hurting!
    
    Look at Dennys clientel. Mostly just a bunch of Poor Yuppies who have
    lost their shirts recently, Its a Mass Miracle, don't ya know?
    
    
    Now lets see... If we opened up a USED Boat Lot and sold them on
    Commission Basis only!? Hummmmmm?
    
                                            Walt
596.2Its a cut throat business alright, Denny might be a cuttee this timeULTRA::BURGESSI don't DO big wakesThu Jan 25 1990 12:0115
re                <<< Note 596.1 by PACKER::GIBSON "DTN225-5193" >>>

	Right.  Here comes some opinion, standard disclaimer:

	Marlins (including Marlin Skier & Elite skier)  offer a lot 
more boat per $ than CC and Cobia - Joe Q Public can't see why he 
should pay the same $$$$s for a boat thats 2 or 3 ft shorter than the
one beside it.  I think Denny had some trouble paying the rent last 
year, I'm guessing that he has reached a  "negotiated agreement"  with 
the landlord - said Dick Ruby;  some kind of  "We'll use the space if 
you can't pay for it"  situation.  Pure specualtion of course -
doesn't reflect the position, policy or opinion of my employer, etc. 

	R