A Q&A with the industry’s ‘woman of the year’ — P. 8 New fuel systems for new EPA rules — P. 26
February 2009
®
Rise and fall of gas prices
Note: Prices are for roadside purchase.
Marine prices average 78 cents higher.
$4.11*
$3.67
*all-time
national high
$3.10
Source: AAA
$2.17
$1.67
WWW.TRADEONLYTODAY.COM $5.00
Jan May July Nov
2008 2008 2008 2008
Jan
2009
A Miami boat show tailored to the times
The NMMA helps cut costs for exhibitors struggling with harsh economic reality
INSIDE
Easy on the wallet
Exhiibiittorrs ssay tthey pllan
tto sspend ttheiirr boatt sshow
budgetts wiiselly tto gett tthe
mostt bang ffor tthe buck..
By Melanie Winters / Associate Editor
m.winters@tradeonlytoday.com
The mood among exhibitors going
into this year’s Miami International Boat
Show is hopeful, but realistic. Leaders
from all segments of the industry speak
of the unprecedented downturn in
2008, but they also say a new year, a
new U.S. president and lower gasoline
prices bring hope of a turnaround – or
at least signs of one.
“We hope consumer confidence will go
up with the new [Obama] administration,”
says Jeff Kauzlaric, communications manag-
er for Furuno, the
marine electron-
ics manufacturer.
“We’re hoping
boats will be sell-
ing and things
will pick up.”
Others have
thrown out their
More on shows
• A critical season.
P. 28
• New York was slow.
P. 31
• More ’08 product.
P. 32
crystal balls altogether.
“I’m out of the prediction business,”
says Glenn Sandrich, vice president of
marketing for MarineMax. “It’s so topsy-turvy out there right now.”
The 2009 Miami International Boat Show
will be held Feb. 12-16 at the Miami Beach
Convention Center and Sea Isle Marina &
Yachting Center, while its Strictly Sail component takes place at Miamarina at Bayside. The five-day event brings together
thousands of the latest powerboats, engines, sailboats, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2,200 exhibitors
– at least that’s the figure in a good market.
It’s a safe bet that the number of exhibitors
See Miami, Page 29
Genmar unveils its 17-foot FinCraft
($13,999 for boat, engine, trailer and
more) at the Minneapolis Boat Show.
And, there’s a boat show rebate.
Page 56
Earning the logo
The certification process was easy
for a New Jersey dealership that
was doing most things right.
Page 16
Floorplan fears
Dealers worry as Textron’s pullout
leaves only two major players in the
marine inventory-financing field.
Page 33
ADVERTISING SPECIAL
Electronics & Lighting
Our collection of innovative new
aftermarket and OEM products —
electronics, audio, lighting (interior,
navigation, underwater) and accessories — can make the difference in
closing the deal in this difficult consumer climate. Pages 37-46
HEARD IT HERE FIRST
“This isn’t anything bad.
It’s just getting back to
doing things the right way.”
— NMBA president Jim Coburn,
on more stringent boat loan requirements
