Report Card Time.

Well gang, based on my own world, it looks like we made it through the bailout nightmare that was 2009. When I first bought this place, mind you in the worst economy since the depression, many of my close friend believed I had finally lost my mind. They had good reason after all. I mean really, who would want to put all this fresh debt on their head during what was predicted as a US economy collapse?

I believed in my client base and the general mind set of our people as a nation to fight back for what we believe in when our backs are up against the wall. Case in point, we sold more boats in the last quarter of this year than we did the previous two years last quarters combined! The people basically said "nuts!" and kept fighting on. As I have always said, Boaters ... boat. In some form or fashion they are going to be on a boat. If that meant buying a 12'aluminum skiff or hard bottom dinghy rather than using their 25'Sea Ray, they were gonna be on the water.

People bought smarter and deals were a constant negotiation but in the end we kept the bill collector at bay and gained more customers. To me, that was a huge victory.

As I now plan for 2010, I am excited of the direction our place in going in.

We have stream lined the number of manufacturers represented to a few high quality companies that have the smarts to run their businesses in a way that put them on solid ground. We have also dropped several manufacturers who proved to me they simply don't know how to run a business. They simply didn't get it and were not right for my customers. There are a few more moves up my sleeve but that will be shown at another time.

We reopened our most popular sales division, Brokerage PWC. Our old location was not conducive to this even though this was always a popular sales division. In a months time it started right where it left off and given the economy, many of our customers were able to buy yet another toy in a more economical way. We have a full inventory of top quality machines and spring looks like it could be a big jump start.

The Insurance Agency has survived as well. We did a lot of policy value adjustments to give our customers a better rate based on true value of their boat, saving them premium dollars. Strange how claims were up significantly but that tells me more people actually used their boats despite not having the best weather this summer.

The Service and Parts department did very well this year with an increase in service business of almost 30%. Our customers spent the money to properly maintain their boats and kept their initial investment in top condition. Very few were penny foolish this season.

All in all I give us an A- for 2009. I know I am a tough grader but I always feel there is room for improvement. With a year under our belt at the new place, I feel we have made huge strides and with the help of a better economy and a top staff, we will emerge as a leader in our industry. One that our customers will be proud to do business with.

2010 will bring some new and exciting things. I really can't wait to get at it but for now, I am going to take some of my own advise and sit back. After a week of playing Clark Griswold, I will be back doing what I do. Before you know it, Spring will be upon us!

and that's my rant...Happy New Year!