Times are getting better?

[RickK]

I see Chris Craft has the Hiring board outside their plant here in Sarasota - is the economy coming out of the pit?
Hiring for Deck Riggers, finish riggers and electricians-custom cabinets.

[John Jones]

I noticed last week that all the boat lots between Bradenton and Sarasota were nearly full of new boats where for the last couple of years the lots were nearly bare.  Either they think this year will be better or else the banks have lightened up on their credit allowing them to stock up.

Of course the consignment lots are full and there are a couple of new consignment lots here that are completely full.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Getting positive reports from Pop's at the Boat Shows.  Most of the local Dealers did well.  KW sold double digits here in Charleston over the weekend alone.

Doing well in Raleigh this weekend as well.  Been selling lots of boats in the "Carolina Blue" Gel.

[bumpster]

I know that i am doing better the last few months. not only the marine lights but also picked up a few residential projects as well. Will be flying to Aruba to look at a large potential project in the next couple of weeks. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one.

[RickK]

Look up our long time local member "Bluesbrother" http://www.classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=121 while you're there.

[seabob4]

Financing for dealer floor plans has gotten better, as over the last couple of years, they have managed to deplete the supply of boats on hand, and somehow they had to replenish the inventory.  Not fun to try and sell a boat from a bunch of pics...

So that explains somewhat the new boats arriving to stock the lots.  But now we see the threat of $5/gal gas, and the increasing unrest in the middle east towards their governments, and, well, that doesn't bode well for the business.  One can only hope that the worst of times for the boating industry is past them.  But as Mike Carrigan has often stated, when it does come back, it won't be near what it once was...

[John Jones]

Don't leave out the Gulf and Atlantic Councils shutting down most bottom fishing.  

[Aswaff400]

life in the marina has been SLOWLY picking back up... signing up about 1 or 2 new customer/boats per week, better than loosing 2 to 4 a week like 2 years ago

[pete]

I work in the home improvement industry,while people are not buying homes they are spending money to fix up/repair the ones they own.

[seabob4]

I work in the home improvement industry,while people are not buying homes they are spending money to fix up/repair the ones they own.

...and they are fixing up the boats they already own...

[DOCREED]

I work in the home improvement industry,while people are not buying homes they are spending money to fix up/repair the ones they own.

...and they are fixing up the boats they already own...

Seabob  of course they are....you have to. its a boat. it always needs something.