MINNEAPOLIS and ANNAPOLIS, Nov. 27 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) have announced the all-new Service Management Certification program, which they partnered to develop. Staff from both organizations will be on hand December 4-7, at MRAA’s Dealer Week in Tampa, to celebrate the launch of the program, which represents a significant advancement in marine service management. For a sneak peek of what it offers, consider registering to attend the Service Management Special Event at Dealer Week, Monday, Dec. 4.
This robust program, which includes an 11-course online training program with downloadable workbook, a printed study guide, and a proctored exam, was created under the guidance of experienced service managers. Those professionals, including dealership and boatyard service managers and boat engine manufacturers, guided MRAA and ABYC’s curriculum development to address the many common pain points that service management faces, including workforce challenges, customer communication breakdowns, and efficiency and profitability killers.
“Our dealer members as well as our manufacturer partners have told us specifically that a credentialing program customized for service management would deliver a powerful resource for helping drive higher levels of effectiveness and customer service in dealership service departments,” explains Liz Walz, MRAA Vice President of Education. “The launch of this education program answers those needs, particularly given today’s climate of change and uncertainty. The training, tools and resources this Service Management Certification Program offers will boost service performance and increase stability and profitability for the dealership as a whole.”
The certification program, tailored for marine service professionals, was built to serve business owners, operations directors, service managers, shop foremen, parts managers, service advisors and others involved in service management who seek to develop their skills and results.
David Broadbent
ABYC Education Director David Broadbent commented, “This partnership and the resulting certification underscore our commitment to promoting industry excellence and providing professionals the tools they need for success.”
“We are grateful to have been able to tap into the expertise of so many industry leaders to develop this program,” added Walz. “Not only is the education stronger because of the collaboration between ABYC and MRAA, but we benefitted from the vast experience of a team of volunteer service management pros.”
Among those who played a key role in the program’s development is service management trainer and expert Valerie Ziebron of VRZ Consulting, who is the lead instructor for the e-learning component.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
About ABYC Since 1954, the nonprofit American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has developed safety standards for boat design, construction, equipage, repair and maintenance. The essential global source of marine industry technical information, ABYC’s product safety standards, credentialing, education, training, and other tools help members make boating safer. For more information, visit ABYCinc.org or contact us at 410-990-4460.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces that Sea Fox Boat Company has joined the MRAA as a Platinum Partner Member.
Through Platinum Partner Membership, Sea Fox supports the MRAA, its programs and the opportunities the association provides the dealer body in an effort to fuel the success of the industry. Commitments from Platinum Partners like Sea Fox allows for the expansion of MRAA’s offerings and creates a positive, long-term impact for its members.
“As the President of Sea Fox, it is my pleasure to announce our new partnership with MRAA. At Sea Fox we believe that a solid dealer network is the foundation for us to be successful in the marine industry,” says Freddy Fenken, President of Sea Fox Boat Company. “We have elevated our product this model year with the introduction of our new logo, all-new upgraded interiors, new standard and optional features, new gelcoat colors and the addition of four new models. With our partnership with MRAA, we will be able to elevate our dealer network by learning how to better support our current dealers and establishing relationships with new dealers so that we can provide the best sales and service experience to our customers.”
“Adding another solid boat manufacturer in Sea Fox Boat Company as a Platinum Partner Member helps the MRAA accomplish its mission to fuel dealer success,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA VP of Business Development, “Sea Fox, with its rich heritage in boat manufacturing and commitment to exceptional quality, embodies the values that drive our industry forward.”
About Sea Fox Boat Company Since 1957, our family has been providing customers access to leisure on the water with the aim to produce all the amenities boaters could possibly need so they can leave their worries at the dock and escape like a fox. To learn more, visitwww.seafoxboats.com/.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
The long-awaited final North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule will likely not be finalized by the end of 2023, according to Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator of Fisheries at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This rule, which proposes to put in place a 10-knot speed limit on all vessels 35 feet or larger from November through May, was expected to be finalized before the end of the year.
The proposed rule was first introduced in August 2022. During the public comment period, which was only open for 90 days, more than 90,000 comments were submitted. NOAA is required to go through each of these comments and use them to inform its final agency action on the proposed rule. Additionally, since the introduction of the proposed rule, the recreational boating and fishing community has worked tirelessly to educate elected officials and others of the economic harm the proposed rule would have on our industry, small businesses and coastal communities alike.
Our outreach, combined with the tens of thousands comments, may be adding to the delay as the agency works to finalize a rule that maintains access for recreational vessels and provides Right whale protection and conservation — the end goal the recreational boating industry has prioritized since the start.
Currently, the MRAA and a large coalition of partners in the recreational boating and fishing industry continues to push back against these proposed regulations while also educating members of Congress and other elected officials about the potential impact. The coalition supports current legislation to pause implementation of the final rule until near and real-time monitoring technology is deployed and its effectiveness is evaluated and shared with Congress.
Additionally, MRAA and others will participate, March 5-7, 2024, in the North Atlantic Right Whale Strike Risk Reduction Technology Workshop, hosted by NOAA. The workshop will explore and promote new technologies to reduce the risk of vessel strikes as NOAA pursues innovative tools and management practices to offer mariners additional options for reducing lethal collision with whales.
The MRAA will continue to keep you updated on this proposal as it moves through the regulatory process. If you have questions, please reach out to me at Chad@mraa.com.
Financial planning and budgeting for marine dealership owners is often viewed as an annual exercise. In the industry’s current environment, uncertainty in prices, spending, and rates might demand more adaptable strategies to ensure financial stability. Dealerships reexamining their plans for the year ahead might benefit by shifting to a more flexible approach.
This article highlights strategies our team has seen dealerships follow to improve financial planning efforts, enhance the accuracy of financial data, understand market and consumer trends, and plan for the unknown.
Embrace Dynamic Financial Planning Financial planning shouldn’t be a one-and-done task. Predicting what will happen in six months is impossible, so it is wise to prepare for as many outcomes as possible. One way dealerships can help accomplish this is by incorporating adaptive forecasting into their strategies using market research and scenario planning.
Many dealerships are also spending time analyzing actual reporting. Doing this can aid in monitoring performance and understanding underlying causes for variances in the budget versus actual financial transactions. Rather than focusing on this once or twice a year, dealerships are comparing these numbers on a quarterly or even monthly basis to remain on track.
Focus on Accuracy and Verification Financial statements set the foundation for effective decision making, so prioritizing their accuracy makes a difference. Errors or inconsistencies here could lead to risky choices and financial setbacks. Implementing meticulous verification processes, such as regular auditing (monthly or quarterly, for example) and enhanced internal controls, has allowed dealerships to catch issues before they become bigger problems.
Turning to technology or specialists can simplify this task. There might be opportunities to invest in new financial software or consult with an outside firm to further ensure financial statements are accurate and detailed enough to meet business needs. Reducing staff time spent on data entry or balance sheet reconciliation is another benefit of these options.
Factor in Liquidity and Inventory Needs Lenders assessing dealerships consider many factors beyond statement trends. These entities determine the health of the business by reviewing cash flow leverage, EBITDA, gross margin, inventory turn, and the inventory age. Dealerships paying attention to these areas while refining their budgets can more easily address concerns earlier in the process.
Accurately estimating inventory needs based on historic sales and anticipated shifts in the market can help prevent overstocking or shortages. Compare the individual unit cost and profit margin with the gross profit budget. Is there enough inventory available to meet that figure? Conversely, are there concerns about over-indexing on units that might not sell? Many dealerships optimize their inventory by identifying slow-moving units or fast-selling products, then hosting discounts or promotions to keep the stock moving. Consider also watching for inventory that will become interest bearing first to focus on selling that stock first.
Cash flow needs should also be an important aspect of financial planning. With recent shifts in consumer spending and price increases it has become equally important to ensure budgets account for maintaining operations when busy seasons are slower than normal.
Conduct Market Analysis to Build Your Strategy Harnessing the power of historic sales data and trends predictions can help inform financial planning.
Below are five critical areas to research and analyze:
The state of the industry: Channels to watch include industry reports, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) indicators, and economic forecasts.
Competitors: Dealerships are increasingly paying attention to competitors’ inventories, promotions, and marketing materials.
Market gaps and areas of opportunity: Stay prepared for new opportunities. For example, some dealers are considering investing in electric-powered boats to meet environmentally conscious consumers’ needs.
Customer spending habits and desires: Key areas include market registration reports, consumer confidence indexes, and consumer expenditure surveys.
Challenges in the industry. Knowing the pain points of the industry can help dealerships better position themselves.
Plan for the Unknown Economic volatility, rate increases, and spending habits have all impacted sales projections for marine dealerships across the country. These factors have forced owners to reanalyze their expenses and determine where they could decrease spending or reallocate funds.
One way to help mitigate losses from this type of uncertainty is to make planning for the unknown a key aspect of the financial planning process. Determine where costs could be reduced or shifted to more profitable areas within the dealership, such as innovative marketing opportunities or trade shows.
Investing in areas that drive an improved customer experience could lead to improved relationships, retention, and upselling opportunities, for example. Adopting rolling or adaptive forecasting can also help provide flexibility to meet changing market needs.
About the Author Tracy Williams, Senior Vice President, Marine Vertical Leader with Huntington Distribution Finance, has more than 25 years of experience in the marine industry. She has held roles at GE Commercial Distribution Finance, GE Money Retail Finance, and Transamerica Commercial Finance Corporation. For her contributions in 2021, Tracy was nominated as a reward recipient for the Boating Industry Magazine’s “Women Making Waves,” and received the “Bold Moves” award in 2022 for her ongoing efforts in the industry.
† Huntington Distribution Finance means either Huntington Distribution Finance, Inc. in the United States or Huntington Commercial Finance Canada, Inc. in Canada, as applicable. Huntington Distribution Finance, Inc. Is a separate legal entity which operates as a subsidiary of Huntington National Bank (HNB).
Disclosures The information provided in this document is intended solely for general informational purposes and is provided with the understanding that neither Huntington, its affiliates nor any other party is engaging in rendering financial, legal, technical or other professional advice or services, or endorsing any product or service. Any use of this information should be done only in consultation with a qualified and licensed professional who can take into account all relevant factors and desired outcomes in the context of the facts surrounding your particular circumstances. The information in this document was developed with reasonable care and attention. However, it is possible that some of the information is incomplete, incorrect, or inapplicable to particular circumstances or conditions.
NEITHER HUNTINGTON NOR ITS AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES (DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR OTHERWISE) RESULTING FROM USING, RELYING ON OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT EVEN IF HUNTINGTON AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF OR FORESEEN THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS OR EXPENSES.
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• NMLA to unveil a revised edition of its popular tri-fold publication at MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference and Expo in Tampa, Fla.
The NMLA, one of over 147 exhibitors featured at the annual MRAA Dealer Week Conference and Expo in early December, will officially re-launch an updated version of “More Boat Less Monthly.”
NMLA lending specialists include consumer and commercial banks, credit unions, and financial service companies. These talented lenders understand the boating business, which makes this publication a valuable tool by outlining the advantages of choosing an NMLA member when purchasing a boat.
Financing benefits include typically lower down payments, longer monthly terms, fast credit approvals, and easy ability to add options, accessories, and electronics. And because experienced marine lenders extend longer loan terms than many non-NMLA banks and credit unions, monthly payments are often lower than expected. More Boat – Less Monthly! Principally developed as a resource for consumers and boat dealerships, the publication invites all industry groups and organizations involved in promoting the recreational boating lifestyle to use this brochure in their marketing efforts.
You can download a PDF of More Boat – Less Monthlyhere. Should you wish to have your print shop create a tri-fold brochure for bulk distribution, we have created an electronic version that includes the recommended mark-ups for bleed, color, font, paper type, etc. Click here for that PDF.
This member announcement, including links to both file formats for NMLA’s More Boat – Less Monthly brochure, will soon be available on the homepage of marinelenders.org under “Latest News.”
About NMLA The mission of the National Marine Lenders Association (NMLA) is simple: Promote and improve recreational marine lending in the United States. NMLA is a 501-C non-profit organization that began operations in 1979. They exist to help members and the marine finance industry prosper through educational events, networking opportunities, industry statistics, legislative advocacy, and the promotion of credit to consumer and trade borrowers.
NMLA’s diverse membership base includes banks, credit unions, and finance companies who offer retail and inventory financing for the boating and yachting industry. Their associate members, who support the needs of lenders include maritime attorneys, USCG documentation and title companies, marine insurers, repossession and liquidation businesses, marine technology providers, trade associations, and consultants.
• Two Dealer Week educators to deliver soul-stirring keynotes.
Imagine this. You put on baseball catching gear and squat down on your toes 60 feet 6 inches away from a hard-throwing pitcher on a mound of dirt. Your goal is catching his 102-mph fastball and arsenal of sliding and sinking pitches while framing each one to get the desired “strike” call! Yes, your role is to overcome the obstacle in front of you (the hitter). Sounds easy, right?!
The author pitching in a 50+ baseball league in Minnesota. Photo by Tom Anderson.
Chances are you don’t know what it’s like to wear catcher’s gear with a facemask. But you do share their desire to overcome challenges and win. Some of you may be baseball fans; others not. However, two terms even a casual fan has heard referenced are “opener” and “closer.” Having a substantial opener and a dominant closer can help you win and win frequently.
That’s our goal when it comes to serving you at Dealer Week. No, this isn’t a baseball blog. It is a blog about you receiving a robust education from knowledgeable educators and doing your absolute best to capture the valuable insights and tools they’re throwing you to help you improve and grow so you can win as an individual and as a team.
The Closer Let’s first talk about the closer. In baseball, a closer is the pitcher who comes into the game when the leading team needs to get an out to preserve the victory. When the pitcher succeeds, they earn a save, and the whole team wins. The all-time Major League Baseball saves leader is Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees legend and MLB Hall of Famer with 652 saves. Only two pitchers in history have more than 600 saves!
Dan Thurmon, Dealer Week 2023 Closing Keynote
Regardless of their stats, the thing that makes these end-game pitchers so formidable is their ability to outlast, outgun and outwit the competition in the most distressing situations. They often shut the door on their team’s anxiety and their opponent, literally saving the game for their organization.
For Dealer Week 2023, we have our own closer. The Dealer Week Closing Ceremony on Dec. 7 will feature Dan Thurmon. Dan is as impressive as they come, a speaker who delivers with energy and artistry. While his session “Positive Chaos: The Path to More Certainty & Prosperity” could easily be a title for an elite pitcher’s autobiography, it’s designed to help marine dealers like you improve. Much like a stellar pitcher who has mastered the ability to throw the ball with impeccable skill, dealers will discover how to adopt “momentum, trajectory and alignment” as metrics for growth.
This is one closing ceremony and performance you don’t want to miss.
The Opener An opener is a relatively new term in baseball. Bob McCann’s hometown team, the Tampa Bay Rays, made it popular by using an “opener” to begin the game instead of using an traditional starting pitcher. It was usually someone they trusted to give it their all, even if limited to only a few innings of work. Should they do their job effectively, they will get out the other team’s top hitters and let the next pitcher in line continue what they started.
Ryan Estis, Dealer Week 2023 Opening Keynote
It just so happens that for Dealer Week 2023 in Tampa, we also have our own opener in Ryan Estis. His brilliant session, titled “Adapt & Thrive: Leading Growth in the New Economy,” will kick things off Tuesday, Dec. 5. While Ryan will not try to get you to strike out or hit into a double play, he will strike a few chords of inspiration as he leads you to double down your efforts to face change and transform your dealership for future success by implementing the right mindset.
Tossing a Gem: Dealer Week Education As you can see, having an opener and a closer makes perfect sense for baseball teams, much like it does for Dealer Week.
These two elite speakers strongly complement our impressive list of education hosts and subject matter experts who are also tossing pro-level insights to you and your fellow Dealer Week attendees. When you bookend the world-class education offered at our four-day annual conference with these two poignant speakers, it will have lasting effects on you and the entire dealer community that push our industry to reflect, recalibrate and grow.
Can’t make it to Dealer Week in Tampa? Learn more about participating in Dealer Week Online.
On November 9, the Congressional Boating Caucus hosted a briefing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed expansion of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. The briefing outlined how the proposal would devastate the recreational boating and fishing industries on the Atlantic coast and the communities that depend on them.
Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) addressed the audience at the recent briefing in the NOAA Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.
Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) addressed the audience, reiterating his opposition to NOAA’s proposed rule and support for finding technology-based solutions that can protect the right whale without harming the economies of coastal communities.
The panel, moderated by National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Vice President of Government Relations Callie Hoyt, featured American Sportfishing Association’s Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director, Mike Waine, and Captain Mike Kennedy, Director of Recreation at the Sea Island Company, who discussed the severity and economic impact of the proposed rule and the faulty assumptions behind it.
Captain Kennedy said that the 10-knot speed restriction will functionally close his business, as it would be unsafe to operate at those speeds offshore. Kennedy focused on the downstream impact on coastal communities, saying closing recreational boating and fishing opportunities for all or part of the year will harm dealers, mechanics and other businesses that directly serve those industries along the coast. While they will immediately feel the impact of NOAA’s proposed rule, it won’t be limited to boating. Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-supporting small businesses will suffer as boaters and anglers are locked out of coastal waters.
The hearing was moderated by Callie Hoyt, NMMA Vice President of Government Relations and included Mike Waine, American Sportfishing Association’s Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director, and Captain Mike Kennedy, Director of Recreation at the Sea Island Company (screen).
The briefing pointed out that NOAA made faulty assumptions to support its proposed rule. NOAA does not distinguish between a 35-foot boat, which may only draft a few feet, and huge commercial shipping vessels, which draft 45 feet. NOAA also wildly underestimated the number of vessels impacted and the economic impact of the rule. Waine clarified that existing data shows that the chances of recreational vessels between 35 and 65 feet striking a right whale is extremely unlikely. The biggest threat is from vessels more than 260 feet.
Discussion also included Congress’ options to intercede should NOAA decide to finalize the rule as proposed. It is expected to be issued before the end of 2023. The Protecting Whales, Human Safety and the Economy Act of 2023, H.R. 4323, introduced by Rep. Carter (R-GA) and Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), would strip NOAA of funding for implementing the proposed rule.
You can tell Congress to support the bill on boatingunited.org. Back in September, NOAA announced that it would use $82 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to explore technologies to monitor, track and detect whales to prevent strikes. NOAA will hold for the public an in-person and virtual technology workshop March 5 and 6 in Arlington, Va., to discuss technology to prevent whale strikes. To attend the workshop, you must pre-register here.
• Consumer Boat Show Lineup Spans 10 Major Markets Across the U.S.
• Attracts and Engages Current Boaters and Next-Gen Customers
Discover Boating® announced today its lineup of 2024 consumer boat and sport shows. Kicking off in January and extending through the fall, Discover Boating boat shows, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, will take place in 10 markets throughout the country, including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami with a focus on attracting both current boaters and next-gen customers through floorplan expansions, enhancements to the Discover Boating boat show experience and Boat Finder upgrades.
Image provided by Discover Boating
To engage current boaters and bring in new customers, plans for 2024 Discover Boating boat shows include an increase in floorplans and exhibitors with more boats and brands to shop as inventory returns. Show visitors will also find enhancements to educational components and activations, such as the Discover Boating Beach Club, to feel immersed in the boating lifestyle. The Beach Club, which launched in 2023 at Discover Boating’s Chicago and New York shows, is expanding to serve other markets, including New England and Atlantic City. Other boat shows will have similar boating lifestyle activations, such as the Lake Life Lounge in Atlanta, featuring a host of activities, celebrity appearances, premium food and beverage options, and daily demonstrations.
“To meet the needs of and excite the next generation of boaters while engaging current customers, Discover Boating continues to evolve and invest in its boat shows through a variety of consumer touchpoints and experiences,” said Jennifer Thompson, senior vice president of boat shows for NMMA. “New boater education and immersive show features, such as the Discover Boating Beach Club, provide attendees the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and fun of boating and ultimately help bring more boaters into the market.”
Furthering Discover Boating’s mission to meet the needs of every boater and potential boat buyer, Boat Finder, which launched across 2023 Discover Boating boat show websites, empowers customers to begin the boat-shopping process weeks ahead of the show they plan to attend. The 2024 Boat Finder features a new design and layout to drive more shoppers to boat brands and dealers. Contact BoatFinder@nmma.org to learn more.
The 2024 Discover Boating boat show schedule is as follows:
Notably, the 2024 Discover Boating® New England Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance®, is moving from its traditional February President’s Day weekend timeframe to Jan. 10–14, 2024. A comprehensive marketing campaign around new date awareness launched in October. NMMA anticipates the move to be temporary with the boat show returning to its February date pattern in 2025. Following a thorough market analysis, there are no plans for a 2024 Discover Boating Nashville Boat Show and NMMA will explore future opportunities in the Nashville market.
There are a lot of reasons to attend MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference and Expo (Dec. 4-7, Tampa, Fla.), but the overall benefit of spending time away — focused on your improvement — is what you really need to boost your business in the year ahead.
Here are 20 Reasons to Attend Dealer Week
The Industry Celebration. Music, dancing, drinks, 1950s costumes and fun — all included with your registration. You can miss it!
The closing keynote. (ABOVE)It’s going to be entertaining, fun and chaotic — in a good way. Plan to stay for it and get one last fill of inspiration to take back to your dealership!
The Expo Hall. 150 exhibitors with services and products to help you succeed in 2024.
The AI platform. See the MRAA’s exciting new technology in person. We’ve bundled up year of expertise and education into one easy-to-use tool.
The weather. If you’re coming from the north, a nice shot of Florida sun will do you some good.
The networking. Hundreds of other dealers and industry professionals dealing with the same issues you are.
The Leadership Pathway. Six sessions of great education, all focused on leadership. Hosted by Marcus Sheridan.
The Sherri. If you know Sherri, you love her. If not, stop by the MRAA Solutions Center (booth No. 523 ) to meet our Membership Manager – and learn how to get the most out of your membership.
The Service & Parts Pathway. Six sessions of great education, all focused on service and parts. Hosted by Valerie Ziebron.
The Opening Keynote. Always a highlight, and Ryan Estis will bring the energy, with a timely presentation on growing your business in a new economy.
The Fun Run. Exercise and camaraderie with a casual run around downtown Tampa.
November 6, 2023 – Performance Brokerage Services, the leader in dealership buy-sell activity, announces the sale of Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV in San Antonio, Texas to Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers.
Performance Brokerage Services, North America’s highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the sale of Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV in San Antonio, Texas to Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers.
Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV, two dealerships located side-by-side in San Antonio, Texas, were both owned by George Noyes. Master Marine was established in 1997 and has been at its current location since 2004. The dealership is the longest established marine dealership in San Antonio and is one of the oldest Suzuki dealers in Texas. Outdoor Living RV was established in 2013.
Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of over 300 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. In 2022, the company consummated 92 transactions, marking a record-breaking year. Jesse Stopnitzky, Co-Owner and Director of the RV & Marine Divisions for Performance Brokerage Services and Jon Couwenberg, Partner, were the exclusive advisors for this transaction.
Jon Couwenberg commented, “It was an absolute pleasure to represent George Noyes in the sale of his business. In these life-changing events, it is often important to our clients that the buyer maintains their legacy and company culture. We are confident that Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers will add upon all that George has built over 25 years. Working with two first-class companies, we were able to maintain good faith negotiations and enjoy a seamless transaction. We appreciate George entrusting our firm with managing the highly delicate sale of his business and wish the Hoover family much success with their acquisition.”
Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers was established in 1987 and has been family-owned and operated for 36 years. With over a dozen dealership locations spanning across Texas, they have grown to become one of Texas’ largest RV dealership groups in the country.
Master Marine and Outdoor Living RV will both remain at their current locations on West Loop 1604 North in San Antonio, Texas.
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