Good News from the Boating Industry?:

Boat Dealers Report Drop in Inventories in January

Spader Business Management, which monitors the boating industry, recently reported that new boat inventory levels for the average dealer tracked by were down approximately 10 percent this January when compared to the same month last year.

New boat sales fell by roughly 12 percent in January, compared to the same month of 2008, BUT used boat sales jumped a remarkable 126 percent; and while total dealer sales dropped by 14 percent when compared to the same month last year, parts & accessory revenues were actually UP slightly, and marina revenue was down only a few percentage points.

Another positive sign was the total net loss reported, which improved by more than 25 percent when compared to the same month of 2008; this despite a drop of more than 6 percentage points in new boat gross margin percentages.

OSJ Moves to New Platform:
We're Back!

February 8, 2009 - Well...it's been a while, but we have finally finished migrating OSJ to our new platform (Expression Engine, from Ellis Labs). OSJ now shares the same technology base as our sister site, Beyond The Breakwater

Why did we do it? We found we were spending more time working on the infrastructure of OSJ than we were on content. With this change, we can focus on the business of putting together content for this site!

Look for new articles and blogging notes shortly!

Viable Alternative to an EPRIB?:
Here SPOT!

Staying Organized:
The "Rack"

Environmental Note:
What Really Happens to Recycled Oil?