Are the Bow Riders going the way of the dinosaur

[merwin10]

Are the Bow Riders destine for extinction - I noticed on the note from Godfrey merger with Rinker that there is a obvious omission the Bow riders are not mentioned - See below -

QUOTE
Dealers, customers to benefit from diverse portfolio of leading brands
ELKHART, Ind., Nov. 17, 2005 – Godfrey Marine and Rinker Boat Company today announced they have merged to
form the fourth largest pleasure boat manufacturer in the U.S. Headquarters for the combined companies will be at
Godfrey Marine’s Elkhart, Ind., location. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The new company will market nine major brands, all of which are market leaders. They include Rinker express
cruisers and Captiva runabouts; Godfrey’s Hurricane deck boats; Aqua Patio, Sanpan, Sweetwater, Parti Kraft
and Tuscany pontoon boats; Polar Kraft aluminum fishing boats and Polar fiberglass fishing boats. The combined
companies’ boats are sold by more than 525 dealers nationwide and in 22 countries.
“Both Rinker and Godfrey have strong traditions of independence and commitment to relationships with
employees, dealers, and suppliers,” said Bob Deputy, President of Godfrey Marine. “Combining these two industry
leaders offers significant benefits including, diverse and comprehensive product lines, state of the art manufacturing
facilities and a reputation for industry-leading products.”
“Joining forces with Godfrey is a natural strategic fit for Rinker. Together, we bring extensive boating industry
experience and an exceptional track record as independent companies delivering innovation, value and service,” said
Bob Moran, CEO of Rinker. “Combining our respective strengths enables us to fulfill growth opportunities that will
meet a wide cross-section of boating lifestyle needs.”
Headquartered in Elkhart, Ind. since 1903, Godfrey Marine is the largest family-owned independent builder of
recreational and fishing boats in the U.S. Godfrey operates eight manufacturing facilities in Elkhart, as well as an
aluminum boat plant in Syracuse Ind., and fiberglass boat plants in Benton, Ill. and Vinemont, Ala.
Godfrey introduced the first aluminum pontoon boat in 1958 and their Sanpan, Aqua Patio, Sweetwater and Parti
Kraft brands have consistently been recognized as No. 1 or No. 2 in industry retail sales. Hurricane pioneered the
deck boat concept and has long been recognized as the No. 1 builder of deck boats, based on retail registrations.
Founded in 1945 by the Rinker family, and headquartered in Syracuse, Ind., Rinker Boat Co. enjoys a category
leading position in express cruisers and runabouts with 16 models from 19 to 43 feet.
The combined companies offer dealers and consumers a choice of MerCruiser or Volvo Penta inboard/outboard
power or outboard motor brands Evinrude, Honda, Johnson, Mercury, Suzuki or Yamaha.
The merged companies comprise a partnership between the private equity firm of Code Henessy & Simmons LLC
(CHS) and Godfrey Marine’s senior management group, Bob, Bill and Larry Deputy who will retain a significant
equity ownership in the new entity. The Deputy family, which has owned Godfrey since 1953, will continue in key
executive roles in the new entity as will members of Rinker’s senior management team.
For more about Godfrey Marine: http://www.godfreymarine.com
For more about Rinker: http://www.Rinkerboats.com
For more about Code Henessy Simmons (CHS): http://www.chsonline.com
/QUOTE

I have to wonder if this is a trend to go with the larger boats where the profit margin is greater -

Mike -  

[kcsteve]

I really doubt that bowriders will disapper anytime soon. I think that there use of the term runabout probably included bowriders. I would guess that the sales of bowriders far excede the sales of any other type of pleasure boat.
I do think you we are seeing a move towards bigger bowriders that can compete with the spaciousness of the deck boat yet have a better ride.
The bowriders and small cuddys make boating affordable for those that cannot or will not shell out 100 k or more

[Talon]

I tend to agree. The bowrider market may not have the same per unit margin, but sheer quantity counts for quite a bit. Plus, if you can start a customer out in the bowrider line and take proper care of them, you are likely to see repeat purchases as the customer migrates 'upwards' in LOA

[DaleM]

Check this out.  Crownline just introduced a 32' bowrider.  http://www.crownline.com/models/bowride ... n_boat.jpg  (((I figured it out look below)))

[DaleM]

Check this out.  Crownline just introduced a 32' bowrider.

[4LakeBums]

I must say that is one sharp looking Crownline boat...The corsa exhaust setup is vented like the new 226 and 246.

[Talon]

wow - party boat!  I wonder if you can still pull skiers behind something that large.

[jdriscoll]

talon,my marina says that my 310 will pull skiers,said that they have added a catch on the transom of a few just for that reason.

[Talon]

I guess you could, but the wake would be something fierce - not to mention the gas mileage

[BigSioux232]

Actually, bowriders are gaining in market share while cuddies are losing market share.  Manufacturers are making larger and larger bowriders like the Crownie above.  There are two 29' fairly new Cobalt bowriders in our boat club.  We just purchased our first cuddy after 3 bowriders, but that is driven by the fact that we have an infant boater and we want a place to escape to get out of the sun and for naps.  When he's 6, we'll be back in a bowrider.

[merwin10]

I would think so given the price of gas these days - the big cruisers are expensive to run at $30 to $90 per hour of fuel - I think the local spots will all be full this year - But I was pointing out the obvious omission of the press release of the Godfrey merger!

Mike -