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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

839.0. "Wellcraft going down the tubes?" by MR4DEC::MMOVALLI () Tue May 14 1991 18:08

	Does anyone have any information concerning the
	Welcraft boat manufacturer from Sarasota, FLA.  Over
	the weekend, I had a startleing conversation with
	an individual who works for a marine distributor
	who said that the Welcraft corp. was two steps 
	away from going bankrupt.  He said that their
	newest boats are junk and its just a matter
	of months when they'll be chapter 11.  Now, being
	the owner of an '87 Welcraft Antigua and always 
	hearing nothing but great things about them, it
	needless to say that I was pretty surprised.  Can
	anyone verify this?  This is the first I've heard of this.

					Thanks,
						Mike
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839.1Ihope notWR1FOR::SHERRILROWed May 15 1991 21:304
    I hope not , being a Wellcraft owner myself. One thing I have noticed 
    is it is very hard to get parts out of them. All I was trying to get
    was a bow cushion for my boat and it took 4 or 5 calls and 2 months
    last year.
839.2sign of the times..HYEND::J_BORZUMATOMon May 20 1991 12:5110
    I was reading a boating mag. the other day, they pointed out that
    the "luxury tax" "user fees" etc. were a serious contributor
    to a seroius downturn in boat sales. Of course the economy and
    not making up to par product doesn't help. I've owned 2 Silverton's
    so far, but i wouldn't have thrown any rocks at Wellcraft. Too
    bad that their quality has slipped.  We can't afford to buy
    less than quality boats, they cost too much too maintain in the
    after-market...
    
    JIm.
839.3Is the real story in Reader's Digest?FASDER::AHERBAl is the *first* nameMon Jun 01 1992 00:5110
    Just last night, my brother was telling me to pick up the recent
    Reader's Digest to read the article of how a now so honest government
    inspector looking for graft almost put this company out of business.
    What I was told is that Wellcraft refused to "pay" for passing
    inspection on some government contract. As a result lots "failed"
    inspection. Reportedly, it was some middle east contract wanting a
    similar craft that the "rejects" fit the bill rather nicely. This, they
    say, is what saved Wellcraft.
    
    I guess I should look for the article to read it myself.
839.4BUSY::BOUSQUETMon Aug 16 1993 11:539
    I believe Wellcraft is still going strong. Their latest catalogue lists 
    at least 30 models. They introduced a redesigned line of sportboats in
    the 18 and 19 foot range, Some new fishing boats, and at least one new
    Scarab. I've looked at a few boats in the 19-23 foot range from these 
    folks and they still seem to be very well built. Better than most of
    what I've seen in the past 4 or 5 years, even in comparison to some of
    the other "premium" builders.
    
    Al