Sunday, October 12, 2008
Happy Columbus Day
Are you enjoying a long weekend thanks to Columbus Day? The folks at BoatNameGear decided that a great way to celebrate a nautical holiday like Columbus Day would be to offer 20% savings to their nautical-minded customers. Not a bad idea given our current economic environment.
Use coupon code UMBUS between now and October 15th to save 20% off any order at BoatNameGear.com.
BoatNameGear offers shirts, hats, welcome mats, towels and more - personally embroidered with your boat name. Unlike other sites that sell that type of stuff, BoatNameGear only focuses on stuff for boaters, and doesn't have any lofty minimum order amounts. And, your stuff is custom made and shipped within a few days - not weeks!
Hurry, this coupon expires October 15, 2008:
coupon code: UMBUS
Website: www.BoatNameGear.com
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Cannons 2.0
In a display of wealth that spits in the face of the current economic crisis, Russian ka-chillionaire Roman Abramovich is having a 350 million dollar, 550 foot yacht built (according to CrunchGear). I think he could have picked up an ailing financial firm on Wall St for only a few bucks more. Oh yeah, he's already in that business - better to diversify.
The ship will boost its own economic system on board considerin it will require a crew of 70 to steer the vessel, manage the disco, pools and helipads, keep the submarine and jet skis tuned up, and, oh yeah, work the missle defense system built into the boat!
We sure have come a long way since old school pirates had cannons poking out of wooden hatches along the side of a ship.
Of course, this isn't too much of a stretch given that Mr. Abramovich already has an anti-missile system on his Boeing 767.
All I have to say is, cool toys! Spend it if you've got it.
The ship will boost its own economic system on board considerin it will require a crew of 70 to steer the vessel, manage the disco, pools and helipads, keep the submarine and jet skis tuned up, and, oh yeah, work the missle defense system built into the boat!We sure have come a long way since old school pirates had cannons poking out of wooden hatches along the side of a ship.
Of course, this isn't too much of a stretch given that Mr. Abramovich already has an anti-missile system on his Boeing 767.
All I have to say is, cool toys! Spend it if you've got it.
Labels: Economy, Famous, Pirates, Yachts
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Skipping Liberty because of the Economy
The organization who runs the Liberty Boat Show, originally scheduled for later this month (September 25 - 28, 2008) has cancelled the event.
The NMMA says they are postponing the 2008 Liberty Boat Show until October of 2009, choosing to "wait to host the event in a more suitable economic environment".
The show will still be held near NYC at Liberty State Park’s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, NJ.
More info here:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=42031
The NMMA says they are postponing the 2008 Liberty Boat Show until October of 2009, choosing to "wait to host the event in a more suitable economic environment".
The show will still be held near NYC at Liberty State Park’s Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City, NJ.
More info here:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=42031
Labels: Boat Shows, Economy
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Repo Man Strikes Again
I can't believe this story resurfaced, more than two months after I covered it (well, actually the Wall Street Journal and a TV station in Cleveland covered it, but I covered them covering it.)
Anyway, here's my local hometown (is that redundant?) paper, infamous in the state for recently ridding itself of all those pesky reporters, spitting up a "feel-bad" story written for another city. And also a story that was already told by the WSJ in the same boating season.
I've got to admit, I like the way this newer version of the repo man tale contrasts the two personality types of the men they profiled - the first man is "soft spoken" and rarely confronted; the second wears a bullet proof vest and is "ready for a fight". Worth a read, even if you're not in Miami.
Anyway, here's my local hometown (is that redundant?) paper, infamous in the state for recently ridding itself of all those pesky reporters, spitting up a "feel-bad" story written for another city. And also a story that was already told by the WSJ in the same boating season.
I've got to admit, I like the way this newer version of the repo man tale contrasts the two personality types of the men they profiled - the first man is "soft spoken" and rarely confronted; the second wears a bullet proof vest and is "ready for a fight". Worth a read, even if you're not in Miami.
Labels: Economy
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Free Boat Fuel
IBI Magazine just reported that Australia’s oldest and second largest boat builder Mustang Marine is going to offer new incentives to help increase their boat sales.
The incentives include free fuel, berthing, servicing, detailing and insurance.
Headquartered on Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland, Mustang's boats are available worldwide; but I'm not sure if the new offers are available outside of their local area. (Comments are welcome if anyone is in the know)
This is a great PR piece on the part of Mustang, as American boat companies may be offering similar incentives but the only thing that typically makes the news are their production and job cuts. I really appreciate Mustang's determination to continue to help boat buyers get into their boats.
The incentives include free fuel, berthing, servicing, detailing and insurance.
Headquartered on Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland, Mustang's boats are available worldwide; but I'm not sure if the new offers are available outside of their local area. (Comments are welcome if anyone is in the know)
This is a great PR piece on the part of Mustang, as American boat companies may be offering similar incentives but the only thing that typically makes the news are their production and job cuts. I really appreciate Mustang's determination to continue to help boat buyers get into their boats.
Labels: Australia, Boat Builders, Economy
Monday, July 21, 2008
Cutting back on boating
USA Today reports today that people are cutting back on their boating lifestyle. I've said all along that there is a core group of boat lovers who will not give it up no matter what the costs. My guesstimate is that we're probably talking the 80-20 rule here, where 80% of boat owners will keep on boating.
And, depending on your marina and neighbors, staying at the slip is sometimes as much fun as being out on the boat. So, a low-key summer could help you save on gas while still enjoying the boating lifestyle.
Let me know if you plan to cut back because of gas prices, or give up boating altogether this year.
Labels: Economy
Friday, May 23, 2008
Repo Boats
I'm not here to jump on the bandwagon of proclaiming the end of boating due to the poor economy and rising gas prices.
I AM here to point out good deals when I find them.
With Memorial Day weekend upon us here in the States, and thus the official start of boating season, the latest media trend is reporting about the boating industry being in the dumps.
First, it was simply about how boat sales are down and those who are keeping their boats are keeping them at the dock because gas prices are so high.
The new version of that story is even more sensational. The media has latched on to the story of the boat repo man. First, Neal sends me an article from the NY Times about a repo man in Michigan: Economic Tide Is Rising for Repo Man.
Catchy title.
Next, I see the same repo guy - in virtually the same story - on a website for NBC affiliate WKYC of Cleveland/Akron. This time, with video.
What irks me about all this media coverage is that it is a classic case of the news outlets trying to say, "ha ha, look at that rich guy getting his boat reposessed!". Meanwhile, it's usually a young family who thought they could afford that slightly bigger boat. Maybe they would have been fine if the economy were stronger, but they are getting screwed because their take-home pay is getting lost in the wake of not only rising gas prices, but also non-boating expenses that are increasing such as insurance and groceries.
Anyway, like I stated yesterday, this isn't the end of the boating world as we know it. In fact, there's never been a better time to get into boating. All those repo'd boats are being sold at rock bottom prices, many of them on FirstBoat's boat auction site.
Should you feel bad? The bank is going to sell the boats to somebody. It might as well be you! Just make sure you re-name your boat as soon as you get it so that the original owner doesn't hunt you down in an angry rage.
Related links:
Rename your boat to hide it from the repo man or to protect yourself from the original owner: Custom Boat Names
Shop for boat auctions, including repo'd boats, at FirstBoat.com
WSJ: Economic Tide Is Rising for Repo Man
WKYC: Repo man snagging boats in Lake Erie
Website of the repo man featured in all the news articles: www.harrisonmarine.com
I AM here to point out good deals when I find them.
With Memorial Day weekend upon us here in the States, and thus the official start of boating season, the latest media trend is reporting about the boating industry being in the dumps.
First, it was simply about how boat sales are down and those who are keeping their boats are keeping them at the dock because gas prices are so high.
The new version of that story is even more sensational. The media has latched on to the story of the boat repo man. First, Neal sends me an article from the NY Times about a repo man in Michigan: Economic Tide Is Rising for Repo Man.
Catchy title.
Next, I see the same repo guy - in virtually the same story - on a website for NBC affiliate WKYC of Cleveland/Akron. This time, with video.
What irks me about all this media coverage is that it is a classic case of the news outlets trying to say, "ha ha, look at that rich guy getting his boat reposessed!". Meanwhile, it's usually a young family who thought they could afford that slightly bigger boat. Maybe they would have been fine if the economy were stronger, but they are getting screwed because their take-home pay is getting lost in the wake of not only rising gas prices, but also non-boating expenses that are increasing such as insurance and groceries.
Anyway, like I stated yesterday, this isn't the end of the boating world as we know it. In fact, there's never been a better time to get into boating. All those repo'd boats are being sold at rock bottom prices, many of them on FirstBoat's boat auction site.
Should you feel bad? The bank is going to sell the boats to somebody. It might as well be you! Just make sure you re-name your boat as soon as you get it so that the original owner doesn't hunt you down in an angry rage.
Related links:
Thursday, May 22, 2008
NPR Says You Are Not Boating
National Public Radio is the latest media outlet to claim that boaters are boating less due to high gas prices. They say the economy is even forcing some folks to sell their boat, or at least leave them in storage this season.
I believe this is probably true on the fringe of boating. The folks who bought boats because they thought they could afford them - only to find out that the costs to maintain and enjoy a boat are usually a larger expense than those "low monthly payments".
Boats cost more than the price of the boat. It's easy to see the price of a boat broken down into low monthly payments, but before you say "I can afford that" you need to think about your entire financial exposure - just like any investment.
First Boat has been responsibly explaining this issue to new boaters for years, but there is only so much one website could do.
Don't mean to sound all preachy on you.
Anyway, here's the NPR story - take a listen and if you're really concerned, buy a sailboat.
I believe this is probably true on the fringe of boating. The folks who bought boats because they thought they could afford them - only to find out that the costs to maintain and enjoy a boat are usually a larger expense than those "low monthly payments".
Boats cost more than the price of the boat. It's easy to see the price of a boat broken down into low monthly payments, but before you say "I can afford that" you need to think about your entire financial exposure - just like any investment.
First Boat has been responsibly explaining this issue to new boaters for years, but there is only so much one website could do.
Don't mean to sound all preachy on you.
Anyway, here's the NPR story - take a listen and if you're really concerned, buy a sailboat.
Labels: Economy
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Brunswick Tightens Ship
If you own or were thinking of buying a Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto or Laguna brand of boat, you might be interested in this.
Those brands, along with Bayliner, Maxum and Cabo yachts - to name a few - are all part of the Brunswick family of boats.
At least, they were.
As of July 1 2008, Brunswick is closing the factory that makes Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto and Laguna, which are all part of what they called their Bluewater Marine line of boats.
My guess is that dealers carrying those lines of boats that are being discontinued are going to be having fire sales, so you can probably get a good deal if you look for one.
Those brands, along with Bayliner, Maxum and Cabo yachts - to name a few - are all part of the Brunswick family of boats.
At least, they were.
As of July 1 2008, Brunswick is closing the factory that makes Sea Pro, Sea Boss, Palmetto and Laguna, which are all part of what they called their Bluewater Marine line of boats.
My guess is that dealers carrying those lines of boats that are being discontinued are going to be having fire sales, so you can probably get a good deal if you look for one.
Labels: Economy
