That is so true. Go back 20 years ago and you could probably cut the number of boat companies in half compared to who is around today. (T2x the historian, chime in.. )

There are just too many damn companies building boats. A gazzilion little ones and the big ones hag become so big they need to produce more than the demand thus they need to force boats down dealers throats.

The pain is pretty strong right now in this industry and others but when the "economic hurricane" passes, those that can survive will be stronger and more profitable in the long run.

Yep....both of them.....

Talk about killing the marine industry look what the 10% lux. tax on boats over $100K did in the early 90's.
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In my view boat mfg used to be an art form. Look at the older companies CRT , Super Boat , OL, etc. With all the cookie cutter models being pumped out it was bound to happen. Public companies , blah , blah , blah. Not to toot our horn but we're just about done with the new 41 CC and we also have a new version on the 26 and 28 coming out in 2009. We're in great shape and every JOKER mold , etc is 100% paid for.

You haven't seen the worst from Brunswick yet.

I hear next week the big shoe drops which makes this look small.

brunswick is doing alot and its not just in the marine business. lots of layoffs in the pool table department.

I miss the good old days when most companies were privately held. They took huge pride in their product and quality which they designed and built with pride in AMERICA. Their customers were #1 and their employees were #2 and they supported their country. MADE IN THE USA

Now with all the publicly traded companies your share holder is #1 and your customer doesn't matter, inventory is an unwanted expense and your employees are disposable. Now they support the country with the lowest tax rate and cheapest labor force that can build the product to last until the warranty expires.

The sad part is that “WE THE PEOPLE” have allowed and continue to allow this to happen. We can VOTE and we can SPEND our money in a way to change this but we all have it too good and folks simply don’t care until it affects them.

Oh well

They could offer the NXT as a stand alone (upgrade) drive and make a few bucks