Reggie Resigns
Charter Member
12-13-2010, 06:03 PM
#122
It's funny to watch. While many bashed Fountains, and sometimes Reggie, they love him in general because he did/does so much. He's not the only one out there, but he's a large part.
But the Baja thing was funny. Baja by Fountain had a stigma, even "if" they were better, and addressed some age-old issues people wanted fixed. Different opinions. But take Reggie out of Fountain, and all of a sudden they're bad? If the new team builds better boats, even addresses some issues some anti-Fountain people had, is that good, or bad?
It's all about perception, and retail purchases, especially boats, are driven by both perception and image, for many, certainly not all. Brand marketing is a difficult thing to master. Reggie marketed himself, and did a commendable job with product as well. If the new owners run it well, and address it's customers as important people, I see no problem.
Given the hits on certain threads, and the love shown by owners, I think if Powerplay was out again selling the same boats they used to, they'd still be a hit.
Possibly Powerplay by Steve1? PPS1?
No beak, all business
But the Baja thing was funny. Baja by Fountain had a stigma, even "if" they were better, and addressed some age-old issues people wanted fixed. Different opinions. But take Reggie out of Fountain, and all of a sudden they're bad? If the new team builds better boats, even addresses some issues some anti-Fountain people had, is that good, or bad?
It's all about perception, and retail purchases, especially boats, are driven by both perception and image, for many, certainly not all. Brand marketing is a difficult thing to master. Reggie marketed himself, and did a commendable job with product as well. If the new owners run it well, and address it's customers as important people, I see no problem.
Given the hits on certain threads, and the love shown by owners, I think if Powerplay was out again selling the same boats they used to, they'd still be a hit.
Possibly Powerplay by Steve1? PPS1?
No beak, all business
12-13-2010, 06:18 PM
#123
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my mind, its like Fountain building Bajas. They are no longer Bajas. Somebody else building Fountains .... they are no longer Fountains. You can call them whatever you want, but to me, its the Fountain families passion for the sport that made them Fountains.
Best of luck to all the generations of Fountains
Best of luck to all the generations of Fountains
It will be interesting to see how these companies fair without the original driving forces behind them. Like you said, the new owners don't have the passion for their customers or the sport. ie: Baja, Fountain, Donzi, Spectre, Sonic, Intrepid... and I am sure the list will continue.
I am with Race Girl - Best of Luck to them all!
12-13-2010, 06:39 PM
#124
Registered
Who where the ones that made the design changes to the hulls?
Did they work for fountain or was the design worked contracted out?
Do they still work for Fountain? What I am getting at who really was behind the hull improvements, or was it a team effort and where is that “TEAM” now?
Did they work for fountain or was the design worked contracted out?
Do they still work for Fountain? What I am getting at who really was behind the hull improvements, or was it a team effort and where is that “TEAM” now?
Based on what I have come to know over the years I believe that Reggie is the man when it comes to hull design. I was once told by someone that knew him well that he could walk by a hull and just see ways to make it better.
You need to go back to the beginning, Reggie was a sucessfull businessman that had a passion for boat racing. His racing success led Merc to bring him onboard to work with their R&D people to further their programs. This guy is just a natural at this stuff, for whatever reason he is able to invision things that might work, then work them till they do. The major difference between Fountain and the others over the years has been the never ending upgrading, tweaking if you will, of the hull designs and set up to improve the performance.
This is where I see a possible difference going foreward at Fountain Powerboats in Reggie's absence. I do believe that the new owners should be able to continue to build the line as we know it now. If they can do that then the company should be able to continue on successfully.
The question here would be if they can continue to advance the design as we have seen over the years.
Last edited by RaggedEdge; 12-13-2010 at 06:43 PM.
12-13-2010, 06:45 PM
#125
OSO OG
Gold Member
Based on what I have come to know over the years I believe that Reggie is the man when it comes to hull design. I was once told by someone that knew him well that he could walk by a hull and just see ways to make it better.
You need to go back to the beginning, Reggie was a sucessfull businessman that had a passion for boat racing. His racing success led Merc to bring him onboard to work with their R&D people to further their programs. This guy is just a natural at this stuff, for whatever reason he is able to invision things that might work, then work them till they do. The major difference between Fountain and the others over the years has been the never ending upgrading, tweaking if you will, of the hull designs and set up to improve the performance.
This is where I see a possible difference going foreward at Fountain Powerboats in Reggie's absence. I do believe that the new owners should be able to continue to build the line as we know it now. If they can do that then the company should be able to continue on successfully.
The question here would be if they can continue to advance the design as we have seen over the years.
You need to go back to the beginning, Reggie was a sucessfull businessman that had a passion for boat racing. His racing success led Merc to bring him onboard to work with their R&D people to further their programs. This guy is just a natural at this stuff, for whatever reason he is able to invision things that might work, then work them till they do. The major difference between Fountain and the others over the years has been the never ending upgrading, tweaking if you will, of the hull designs and set up to improve the performance.
This is where I see a possible difference going foreward at Fountain Powerboats in Reggie's absence. I do believe that the new owners should be able to continue to build the line as we know it now. If they can do that then the company should be able to continue on successfully.
The question here would be if they can continue to advance the design as we have seen over the years.
12-13-2010, 06:45 PM
#126
It will be interesting to see how these companies fair without the original driving forces behind them. Like you said, the new owners don't have the passion for their customers or the sport. ie: Baja, Fountain, Donzi, Spectre, Sonic, Intrepid... and I am sure the list will continue.
I am with Race Girl - Best of Luck to them all!
I am with Race Girl - Best of Luck to them all!
Spectre is on owner #3, the 2nd owner was the guy out west that blew it apart a couple years ago. Add Midnight Express to the wall of shame, Powerplay is making some type of reincarnation as well.
12-13-2010, 07:12 PM
#127
Registered
Here's a thought. Since all of the talk about Fountains not being Fountains, I now have two collector items. I might sell them for,,, say 5 times what they were worth before last Friday. Any takers???
12-13-2010, 07:20 PM
#128
Registered
12-13-2010, 07:32 PM
#129
Registered
12-13-2010, 07:48 PM
#130
OSO OG
Gold Member
