Offshoredrillin,

I think your proportions are spot on. But I think, as you pointed out, that styling probably splits the 25 percent of "innovation." As we all know, Fountain didn't invent stepped hulls for V-bottoms, but the builder did lead the charge in popularizing and marketing them. Hustler actually was onto the step trend before Fountain, but Hustler didn't have Fountain's marketing clout.

Don was pretty much out of the race boat/fast boat business when he died and spent much of his time watching the ponies run. He never caught up with cat technology and, in fact, Cougar/Shadow/Skater/Hustler/Fountain/CUV/Velocity etc had pretty much eclipsed his best stuff starting 5 or more years earlier.

T2x

thanx bullhead, the employees are suffering. by the way your boat turned out great. :drink:

Get To Work!!
 

For those on OSO and the industry and sport who want to cry and whine and complain and blast about the problems with companies like Fountain in our industry I would say there is nothing really useful, helpful or insightful that comes from this "kicking a hurt manufacturer" when they are down! Fountains contributions, past successes and importance to our industry are without question.
I am quite sure that no manufacturer or vendor in our sport and industry were responsible for this horrific downturn in the US economy and its subsequent fallout, but I am also sure that some could have been more careful in their long term planning and positioning in the market place, but thats the way it is in any free democracy capitalist form of economy! 10-5 years ago, most everyone ,even some of you, including these businesses where "FAT, Dumb and Happy", Mercury included!
It is important that we don't loose sight of the future of this industry and sport. We should all be concentrating on staying dilgent to our own economic situation, staying correctly informed,refocusing our efforts to all work hard and contribute to the earned only success of our sport and industry!
Standing around saying I told you so! and being contrite about an important manufacturer's situation and future is counterproductive and hurtfull to the whole future of this industry and sport!
The new Performance Boating Sport and Industry will never be the same as it was 5-10 years ago and rightly so! It has to morph into a newer more efficent and affordable industry and sport!

Just also remember, that where there is a need and companies and individuals fullfill those needs there are rewards and success to be had. I hope that our industry will ride out and survive these difficult times, because your recreation and enjoyment DEPEND ON IT!!
Lets all get better at everything we do and say and our futures will benefit greatly!

Best REgards,
Ray @ Raylar

I hope Washington, NC has more to offer than Bucyrus, OH does. Well over 1 year later, Id venture to say at least 90% of the ex-Baja employees are still collecting unemployment with no jobs available. Alot of the people that did get new jobs were laid off shorly after. A small handful of people ended up with much better paying jobs than Baja.

Good luck!

Well said Ray!

While not a fan of Fountain boats I have respect and admiration for Reggie and what he and his boats have done for the sport of high performance boats.

Good Luck Fountain

Sorry to hear this. Hopefully they can work things out.

Just from the limited reading I've done I'd say that is not the case here. His bankruptcy is undersecured. His assets are far less than secured claims. It sounds like they are banking on the idea that someone will buy the company. If they find a buyer that is willing to pay what is owed, then Reggie may come out smelling like a rose. If they don't then all the assets will be sold and reggie will have to start all over. I have seen shareholder's buy the company out of bankruptcy. So it is very possible that Reggie could do this with the help of a few investors.

Someone has thier head and shoulders up thier a$$:eek:

DITTO...DITTO...Very well stated Ray.