Get back to work!!

if you think of it in the way of look at all the DWs designed boats out there. but only the ones that have the wright name on the side have a big fallowing. its always interested me that made hulls for a lot of people but not all took off.

Yeah the boating industry has its share of black eyes from buying up bldrs while not keeping their eyes on the ball.

As already said though, other industries do it all the time.
My dad sold his business of 30 yrs to a competitor, then retired and bought a sail boat.

Car companies buy race car teams to get their brand into racing all the time.
Yeah its Ford racing now but who was it before you bought them??

I lived in Fla when Sonic moved to Fort Pierce and started work on their cat.
I tried and almost went to work for them on that project

Wonder how many they sold?
Wonder what they spent on it?
Or how long I would have had that job!

Vs buying Skater or DW and having a known entity as soon as ink dry’s on the ck.
Production, sales, history….., turn key.

Want a bigger mouse trap?
Keep the machine running on their core biz while you form a team to stretch it into a 40’, 50’ etc.

BTW, congrats to DW!

I applied there too, in an earlier time and it was tough, even for them at that point.
15 yrs of blood, sweat, and tears and now laughing all the way to the bank!

Sounds like the American dream to me.

As to Cigarette, time will tell.

LOL, Cigarette could sell you a white bar of soap full of tar with a one on the side and you would pay a premium for it just to say you smell like a cigarette as if that's a good thing. I've got no reason to be mad, I'm thrilled for the sellers. I feel bad for the naval engineers already employed at cigarette as the acquisitions are not exactly a vote of confidence. I guess there will be three different companies butting heads with the next hull design, doubt that goes over well.

It's because of my background that I'm pessimistic about cigarette. Historically 80% of all mergers and acquisitions fail. It's one of the most common reasons for business failures right below poor management, which I would also argue to be the case anytime someone appoints their 21 year old son as CEO of any company, especially following an acquisition. Skip was successfull in part because the prior owners didn't reinvest much capital in the company in the years leading up to the sale to Skip. There wasn't any drive for new hull designs at a time when companies were coming out with new hull designs. He put up the capital to make those changes and the customers loved him for it. There was opportunity to improve the company at a time when improvements were being demanded by the industry. Personally I don't see a ton of room for improvement, but if there is they sure went about it in the most costly way imaginable. The arrogance of it all just seems really remarkable.

I agree with you and disagree but not for the same reasons. Its all awesome till the economy blips. Enter 2007... remember when Fountain went into bankruptcy? Remember when every boat company went into bankruptcy? Its an interesting industry thats based totally on disposable income and it has its challenges. I love seeing collaboration and acquisitions.

I think the Doug Wright and Vectorworks acquisitions are great steps for the company. With Doug Wright (sounds like they have been in discussions for 2 years - so even something Skip was working on), it gives them immediate entry into the cat market with well regarded product.

The thing that worries me is the marketing and over branding. I feel like Cigarette is quickly going to become a gimmick. Raves and an owner's only clubs that require an NFT for entry? It sounds like exactly the way a 21 year would market: "lets throw awesome parties in the name of cigarette!" It sounds like they're going to spend a ton of money on branding, and marketing to a demographic that isn't going to move the needle. Time will tell, but even a billionare will cut the bleeding if it doesn't translate to growth.

One thing that came across from the article, regardless of the titles at the company, John Ruiz and Erik Christiansen are the ones actually running the company. I think that despite all the noise, they know what they're doing and they will be successful.

This thread is hilarious. Yes the 21 year old succeeded because dad ripped a few more checks.

While i do like Cigarette, I don't make purchases just for that reason, the next boats in my pipeline, aren't necessarily ones with a 1 on the side. I also make no apaology for liking the brand. everyone is so fast with the daddies money comment, yet they gloss over the fact that Erika Braver had a huge impact on Cigs moves into the future along with her dad. the same as this son and father are working as a team....you see arrogance, I see investment on their part, and jealousy on yours.

I wouldnt expect a person with walmart pricing mentality to understand investment and high quality...