It just keeps getting worse.

Meridian Yachts to shut down; hundreds to lose jobs

My best hopes for those being layed-off.

However, it is not surprising as Meridian was not much of a player in the yacht industry. IMHO

The article doesn't say if they'll bring back Meridian or it'll just disappear all together; it only says they are shutting down. Not good either way.

This giant ship called "Economy" needs to turn a little quicker than in the past.

I heard that a few models will return under the Bayliner name, which is of course, what they were to begin with.

Brunswick is taking a beating.

Marine Max too.

And it is still just the beginning...

Wow, that is a huge loss. The area it is in is not a high population area. They're going to suffer from this loss.

I see that as pretty significant as I would think their target customer's income levels would be above the threshold-of-pain for high gas prices.

On the other hand, if their customer base were in real estate or bankers... yea, they might have lost their customers.

True, but with Meridian's being a "price point/entry level" boat line, I would imagine that their buyers would be more affected by the price of fuel than buyers of true yachts like Hatterass, Bertram, Viking and so on.

I don't think the idea of re-badging a Bayliner really caught on in the "yacht" market. Even if they eventually came out with true all-new models rather than just putting 490 stickers on a 4788 Bayliner...

It was no secret as to what Bayliner was trying to accomplish by coming out with the Meridian name.

Maybe next time...

Best wishes to the folks that worked there.

My real concern is that long-term, with fuel prices the way they are, that boating will someday return to an exclusive activity of the rich.

Wasn't the first iteration of the phrase "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" attributed to JP Morgan about his yacht?

Ten years from now, will that statement be as true as when it was first spoken?. I hope not.

Its sure going to be interesting at least.

From a differnet news source:



Full Article

I have the same fear, although it might not mean that boating dies all together, just a return to simpler craft, like open 14-16 footers with small outboards, for those who just can't stand to stay on the shore. Though I guess that won't work everywhere either.....

My thoughts go out to everyone at the plant.

According to this story it is more than the Meridian Plant.

Brunswick to cut 1,400 jobs, shut 4 more plants

The Meridian line is not dead. Meridian is moving production from a physically inefficient plant and expensive labor market to a more efficient plant in a less expensive labor market (I don't know where yet).

Disassembling, moving and re-constructing all tooling and product development and engineering (PD&E) from one coast to the other will delay production and new product intros BUT production of all models will continue.

Excuse me, youse funny doomsdayers---when was boating an 'exclusive activity of the rich', during the roman empire?


I still see enough '50's era boats around to know that Regular Joe's bought boats 50 years ago. Back in the '50s a black & white Phillips TV cost about 1/3 as much as a new 17' runabout. It's not like the middle class couldn't afford a boat, TV just happened to be more important and popular at the time. Priorities. From my perspective the main reason for the growing popularity of boating over the years stems mostly from there being more PEOPLE over the years. People began living 100' apart instead of 1000' apart. The neighbor has a boat, looks like fun. They take you for a ride, and the word of mouth spreads.... etc, etc...

Right now people's priorities are shifting dramatically, so a new boat- ANY boat- might not make sense now. But it's only temporary. We've all tasted the blood, and we LIKE it! Boating is slowing down, but it ain't leaving the building!

i feel for those losing their jobs.

as far as boating becoming less popular or affordable, less nuts on the water due to the economy is not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion. it would be even better if everyone getting out fo the sport simply gave me their gas before they left. pls suggest it to everyone you know selling their boats. thanks.

Yeah, there will always be folks on the water boating.

Sure, maybe in fewer numbers, but that might not be a bad thing...

I'll always have a boat. And I certainly won't mind going back to square one if need be. A 20' Kayot pontoon boat that my parents first purchased back in '67 that got me started in boating.

After having 19 boats so far, I wouldn't mind another 'toon...

I believe that what has already been said is true. Lots of folks/companies will learn from this experience and adjust accordingly. Smaller, lighter, less equipped boats might make a strong comeback in the market to come.