News from New Bern

[GJH]

This was in yesterday's paper; here is the on-line version:

http://www.newbernsj.com/news/hatteras-47395-plant-getting.html

Note the line about refitting older boats.

I met two Hatteras designers on the dock here today, one keeps his small center console here. They seemed optimistic. They would not say anything about new models, but just smiled when I mentioned the rumor about bringing out updated versions of the old classics as they were admiring my boat.

 

[Walter P]

George,

Sounds like good news to me. Both the possible work on older Hatts and the possible re-introduction of revised classics.

Thanks for the info...

Walt

 

[Pete]

Not the style boat we discuss here, but Fountain Boats, a builder of go fast boats, that has been in business in the Washington NC area for 30 years, filed for bankruptcy today. Last I knew they were listed on NASDAQ. Plans to reorganize and seriously downsize, to about 10 employees. Desperate times for the industry. Maybe BO will offer a "Cash for Sinkers" to save the industry.

Pete

 

[GJH]

Hadn't heard that Pete, but not surprising.

As for your "cash for sinkers" idea, Wwll in many ways that would make perfect sense, since boat manufacturing (especially sub 40-ft), unlike cars entails almost entirely American labor and American content, other than outboard engines. And there is significant fuel efficiency improvements available (yes, yes, I know FRP is a petro-based material).

A little off topic, but it has been shown that if a true cash for clunkers program had been instituted, it would have been, far more effective at fuel savings and emission reduction than all the other government programs aimed at that put together, at much less cost. I'll have to dig that analysis up.