Sad News for Tracker...Good news for the Classics!

[Ryan]

Ntrain that is sad news for sure, hopefully you will come out of this ok. However bad economy or not this was bound to happen because of trackers inability to properly market the seacraft line.

[Ed]

Given the current economic situation, even the boat manufacturers with the deepest pockets are hurting and most temporarily shut down plants this summer and quietly laid off employees.

Anyway, Seacraft and Mako will be back....will temporarily build boats in Missouri to significantly reduce costs. When market rebounds, I am sure production will be moved to a more geographically sensible facility.

[htillman]

Whats unusual, we have two BPS in Houston area, there are no Seacrafts at either location. Just some Makos....

[strick]

BPS recently opened a new store here in N. Calif. They had a big SeaCraft sign outside. No Seacrafts at all on the premises and when I talked to the boat salesman it was apparent he knew nothing about boats...could not even tell me were Seacrafts were being built. The clincher was when he told me that he thought Mako was a better offshore boat

strick

[Islandtrader]

I recall years ago here in Stuart at the test center for OMC they laid everyone off just before Christmas. Nice.

I understand Pro-Line is closing for the whole month of December.

[gss036]

Brunswick shut down/closed the MAXUM boat mfg faclities in Arlington, Wa and laid off several hundred workers. Looks to be for good, said they would keep just a miniumn number for customer service.

[datngrizz]

Brunswick, Cobalt and SeaRay all experiencing closures and/or massive lay offs here in Knoxville TN.

[htillman]

I was talking to a guy at BPS and he was telling me about the new SKA models coming out for the King Mack tournaments. I had even seen some pics of the new boats but no new models. Like someone said, bad marketing on Seacrafts behalf. They were nice looking boats - not sure of some of the functions but they looked good.

[Michael Vezzosi]

I LOVE the new SeaCrafts!!! The price of the proposed new SKA model, (like 26 loa), is the single most responsible justification for raising the deck, enclosing the transom, to include large baitwell, and bracket for my 1979 MA!!!

The refurb. of my second Whaler 15 should be complete by tax return time. My only question: Can I still use the 1999 OMC 175 20 inch shaft? Still under 150 hours!

[JohnB]

The understanding is that it will be for good. Production will be moved to another existing facility.

So what are the facts? are they temporarly stopping production? SeaCraft and Mako?