Used Pontoon Boats - Record-high gas prices and a slumping economy

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. In years past, Marvin and Lucille Walizer spent many an afternoon cruising up and down Raystown Lake in their pontoon boat, waving to other boaters and looking for wildlife.

Record-high gas prices and a slumping economy

These days, however, record-high gas prices closing in on $4 a gallon and a slumping economy have put the brakes on the the Huntingdon couple’s routine — and many of others who say they’re cutting down on what’s quickly become an expensive hobby.

‘‘Now we usually pull into a cove and sit there. I read while he fishes,’’ Lucille Walizer said as she docked at the James Creek boat launch Friday. ‘‘It’s relaxing. Today, we splurged a little and went looking for bald eagles.’’

Boaters will adjust

The Walizers figure a few day on the lake will cost them more this season, but it won’t break the bank. Boaters who make a longer trip to get there, such as Ron and Francis McCulloch of Martinsburg, won’t have it so lucky. The McCullochs, who usually boat 30 to 40 days each summer, say this is the first year they’ve opted out of buying a lake pass.

‘‘We won’t be coming over as much because we can’t afford the gas to get here,’’ Francis McCulloch said, adding that it now costs about $75 to tug their boat over Fredericksburg Mountain and back.

Seven Points Marina, gas has topped $4.44

At Seven Points Marina, gas has topped $4.44 for regular fuel and $4.49 for mixed, but it’s too early to tell what long-term effect those prices will have on boating at Raystown, marina employee Gary Nolen said.

‘‘People have already made their plans for this summer, but next year, I think people will think a lot harder about what they’re going to do’’ to conserve gas, he said. Officials reported a drop in the overall number of boaters and people using boat ramps during Memorial Day weekend, normally one of Raystown’s busiest periods.

Park Ranger Allen Gwinn said he suspected the low numbers of boaters had more to do with cold water temperature than fuel prices, although he can’t say for sure. ‘‘Ten degrees can make a big difference,’’ Gwinn said.

Prince Gallitzin State Park anticipate good attendance

On the other hand, Daniel K. Bickle, park operations manager at Prince Gallitzin State Park, said his staff experienced a packed Memorial Day weekend, and they anticipate good attendance on Glendale Lake all summer long. He also predicted public lakes and parks ultimately will benefit because they present an affordable alternative to other vacations.

‘‘I think because state parks have free entry, people will stick closer to home and not go on longer trips,’’ he said. Prince Gallitzin has a 20- horsepower limit on the lake.

Boaters are saving gas by staying in their marina slips

Officials at Raystown are seeing a big difference in the activity on the water. Boaters are saving gas by staying in their marina slips or tying up on the lake rather than zooming around.
That’s good news for fishermen such as Christian Donharl, a West Virginia University student who splits the cost of maintaining a boat with a friend.

‘‘It’s nicer when there’s not that many people here,’’ he said, lowering his boat into the water from the empty Shy Beaver launch Friday. Fuel prices also are affecting boat sales. Smaller boats aren’t selling, while bigger, luxury ones are for those seeking to upgrade.

People who are boaters are still boating

Said Wayne Price, sales manager at Shy Beaver Boat Center. ‘‘But I’m not seeing any new faces.’’ Howard Reese, salesman at Jim’s Anchorage in Hesston, said he expects boaters to cut down on how often they take to the water.

‘‘We’re certainly not where we were last year, but neither is any other department, whether it’s cars or boats,’’ Reese said. He estimated that it takes about 25 gallons of gas for a family of four to go out on the lake for a weekend.

Climbing gas prices don’t seem to concern Bob Evans, an Elizabethtown resident who has been going to Raystown for the past 24 years. The owner of a 28-foot pontoon boat, Evans doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. ‘‘It’s not going to change the way I run [my boat], because I come here to enjoy the lake,’’ he said. Thanks to Mirror Staff Writer Cori Bolger at http://www.altoonamirror.com 946-7458 for this.

Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Boats-North American Waterway

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Sponsored by Pontoon & Deck Boat, Special 2008 Issue

Used Pontoon Boats - Brightwell's Boathouse Inc.

Sponsored by Pontoon & Deck Boat, Special 2008 Issue
Hi gang, Rick Ostler again from Used Pontoon Boats bringing you news and views from the boating industry. Feature profile on Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. in Urbandale, Iowa.

Brightwell's Boathouse Inc.

John Brightwell's new business had expanded even before the longtime boat seller opened the doors of Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. in Urbandale earlier this year.

He originally planned to operate only the Urbandale boat dealership, but when the owners of the Saylorville Marina near Polk City offered him the boat sales and service business there, it was an offer too good to refuse.

"It wasn't in our original business plan at all," said Brightwell, who owns the boat dealerships with his wife, Leslie. "But the Saylorville business gives us another service facility with a built-in customer base. So far, it's worked out well."

Best time to get into boat business is when it's down

Brightwell said he gave serious consideration to not opening a boat business at all because of the economy. Two other boat sellers had gone out of business last year. "The best time to get into business is when it's down," Brightwell said.

Sales are fairly steady at his new store now, he said. "The farmers are doing well and buying boats," he said.

Boating - is a $37 billion industry

Boating is about a $37 billion industry, said James Petru, director of market statistics at the National Marine Manufacturers Association in Chicago. Boat sales were flat in 2007 and manufacturers were carefully controlling production and inventories, Petru said.

Not everyone who walks into Brightwell's showroom will take a boat home - many will bring in their boat for service, he said. "Service is important because if they have a good experience they will come to us for their next boat," Brightwell said.

Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. - Brightwell's grew up in boating business.

Brightwell, 57, knows the boat business. His father was the first Mercury boat dealer in Des Moines.

"I grew up in the business," he said. Brightwell, his brother and father went into business together in the late 1970s. They sold the company a few years later after Brightwell's father died. Brightwell went to work at the Saylorville Marina selling boats. He also spent several years selling watercraft at another local dealership.

In November of 2006, he decided to take a break from boat sales. "Every night, I'd talk about the boat business," he said. "I finally said 'Let's pursue our own business,' " Brightwell said.

Boating Business - finding the right location

He spent hours creating the business plan, figuring out revenue projections and contacting boat manufacturers. His biggest obstacle was finding the right location.

"For our business to succeed, we need to be in a high-traffic, high-visibility location," he said. They leased space in the old Moehl Millwork building behind the Ramsey auto dealership at 100th Street and Hickman Avenue.

The couple used their savings and a bank loan to finance the store, including $1 million in inventory, Brightwell said.

They sell Crest and Sunset Bay Pontoon Boats

The cavernous showroom includes ski, fishing and pontoon boats and accessories. The service center sits adjacent to the showroom in a space almost as large. Brightwell has nine employees along with himself and Leslie, who also works as a real estate appraiser.

"We are working owners and we are here everyday," he said. "People like to buy from people they know. You have to build trust with a customer and I think that's why we'll be successful." Thanks to PATT JOHNSON, www.desmoinesregister.com for this. pjohnson@dmreg.com Brightwell's Boathouse Inc


Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway

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Sponsored by Pontoon & Deck Boat, Special 2008 Issue