www.iFourWinns.com

From the For What It's Worth department................

Project Boat Holdings appointed Roch Lambert president of its recreational boat division, which includes the Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft brands.

Project Boat Holdings is an affiliate of Platinum Equity, which purchased the lines out of the Genmar bankruptcy earlier this year. Lambert most recently served as vice president and general manager of the Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Evinrude division of BRP US Inc. He also previously served as vice president and general manager of BRP's Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines division rebuilding the brands from the OMC bankruptcy in 2000.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

As far I'm concerned this could be great news.

If this is in fact one of the guys that took the Evinrude name from the FICHT blunder and OMC bankruptcy and helped build the reputation of Evinrude to what it is today...he can certainly help make sure Wellcraft, Glastron and of course Four Winns keep the great reputations they already have.

From a purely speculation stand point, I think this boads well for the potential for more outboard power coming out of the plant in Cadillac also. Wellcraft currently uses pretty much nothing but outboards. Glastron offers a couple of boats with outboards. Four Winns doesn't currently offer anything with an outboard.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

I'll also chime-in with a note about a conversation I had with someone at the factory a couple of weeks ago. He has been there for 25 years and has experienced each time the company changed hands or shuffled management. He said that, without fail, this has been the most positive and optimistic experience of all of the changes in the past. That to me is a huge vote of confidence.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

This months issue of BoatUS magazine has an article on the recent wave of boat manufacturer bankruptcies. Of all the new owners listed, Platinum Equity is the only one mentioned who has stepped up the plate and committed to honoring the existing warranties. Kudos to them. It looks like a responsible owner has taken the helm.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy