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Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from Used Pontoon Boats. The hypnotic lure of a sparkling open body of water in springtime is hard to ignore for boat lovers and fishermen even in a near recession economy.
Boat and Marine Equipment Sales
Although boat and marine equipment sales are not setting records, area marina owners said they are holding their own this spring, bucking a national trend that has some big-name power boat manufacturers and high-end yacht sellers struggling financially and laying off employees.
“People are thinking that buying a boat is a long-term investment,” said Robyn Ellis of Ellis Marine in Leominster. “They say, ‘I can make small payments over the longer term versus paying $4,000 for a vacation."
Ellis said she has sold seven new boats in the past five weeks. Tackle sales at the Route 12 marina are equally strong, according to Ellis.
Despite gasoline costs that are expected to hit $4 per gallon this season, nearly 60 percent of about 2,000 anglers surveyed across the country said they are planning a fishing trip outside their home state, according to Southwick Associates, a firm that regularly tracks industry trends.
Tracker Marine Center and Bass Pro Shops
Area boat sellers — and I’m including the Tracker Marine Center at the new Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro — seem to have the key ingredient that boating industry analysts have fingered as a good hedge against recessions — stem-to-stern service for their customers.
For example, you not only can buy a boat at Ellis Marine, they will register it for you; keep you advised about the best way to avoid problems with ethanol-laced gasoline; service your warranties; and sell you the tubes and wakeboards or tackle you want to enjoy it. Although on a much larger scale, Bass Pro Shops’ Tracker Center will do the same — you can walk in there, buy a boat and have the service team prepare it for launching by the end of the day. If you break down while in the area, the Foxboro retailer will free up a technician to fix the problem.
When I caught up with Doug Shogren of Hank’s Marine in Leicester, he had just returned from delivering a pontoon boat to a customer. Pontoon boats are selling well this spring, Shogren said, because, “It’s the kind of boat you can put in the middle of the lake and sit there on it; you can fish or swim or just enjoy the day.”
Shogren noted that although it takes about $80 to fill a tank of gas for that boat, “the customer said it will probably last all summer.”
Leicester Marina
Sales at the Leicester marina are about as good as last year, according to Shogren. Although pontoon boats — $11,000 and up — are selling well, this year’s market is softer for some of the flashier boats such as the Sea-Doo line, which ranges from $15,200 to $50,000.
“We are able to keep our pricing low,” Shogren said of his 29-year old business. “We invest our own money, we have no mortgages.”
Shogren said the marina is as busy as any other spring and people are not delaying taking their boats out of storage.
Tracker Marine Center at Bass Pro Shops
Drawing from a broader consumer pool, the Tracker Marine Center at Bass Pro Shops is moving at full speed with boat sales, parts and service, according to Jeff Lloyd, general manger of the center. The Charlton resident gave up a longtime association with Action Marine at Webster Lake to join Bass Pro Shops when it opened in November.
The Foxboro marine center sells everything from small aluminum fishing boats and high-end bass boats to fiberglass family run-abouts and larger offshore Mako fishing boats.
“Tracker is a brand that everyone is familiar with and pricing is aggressive. It’s become known as the best bang for the buck, your everyday guy’s boat,” Lloyd said.
Boat sales started the year well and pushed ahead during the heavy foot traffic generated by Bass Pro Shops March fishing classic — an event that includes sales and free clinics by popular fishing and hunting stars. Lloyd noted that 13 boats were sold during the first weekend of the event.
“Demand has been so high in some product areas we have actually struggled to keep some models in stock,” Lloyd said. “That speaks volumes considering the economic climate. I’m very optimistic about this season.”
Doug Russell Marine in Worcester
Although the 2008 sales started slow at Doug Russell Marine in Worcester, the warmer weather of the past weeks has generated more activity, according to sales manager Raul Gonzalez.
Fishing Trophy catches
Two young anglers have weighed in trophy fish in recent days and earned brass pins for their efforts from the state Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.
Joshua Watts of Sturbridge caught a 13-7/8-inch yellow perch at Little Alum Pond in his hometown that tipped the scales at 1-1/4 pounds at D&G Bait & Tackle in Leicester. The minimum weight in the youth category for a bronze pin is 1 pound.
Meanwhile, Zachary Lamontagne of Douglas hauled in a 5-pound largemouth bass to earn his bronze pin. The fish was caught Sunday at Meadow Pond in Whitinsville and weighed at Jerry’s Bait & Tackle in Milford. The fish measured 21 inches and had a girth of 15 inches.
It was Zachary’s second big bass from Meadow Pond. He caught one through the ice about the same size last year. Both bass took shiners while the young angler was fishing with his grandfather, Paul Lamontagne.
“His goal is to become the next Charlie Moore,” said Zachary’s dad, Dave Lamontagne.
Thanks to Worcester Telegram & Gazette for this.
Be sure to check out this weeks latest Pontoon Boat Videos
Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
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