Still getting A pier up to snuff on electric. We're going to install a mirror at the end of the B Pier tee next week to avoid a blind spot problem for especially our up river A pier customers.

David Mattingly left officially on August 1st. We sent him off by closing the yard July 31st and treating him to lunch at Tim's. You'll be seeing him now and then though on special projects, and he'll be keeping his boat at the marina so you'll bump into him that way too. Just don't give him a work order.

I'm planning to post the winterization list online so you can sen in your work order that way.

The Chaparral Meeting was held at the Sanibel Harbour resort which is just before the causeway to Sanibel Island. It was weird, being my first "anything other than Chris Craft" meeting but the hotel was truly luxurious and Chaparral really pulled out the stops. This is a successful company-one of the top 5 producers of sterndrive boats in the world with sales up 21% over last year. I'm proud to say we achieved an Outstanding Sales Award in our first year which on top of the Anchor Dealer Award with Chris Craft makes us a player in 2 market segments now.

Our initial order of Chaparrals was 25% greater than 1999's total purchases not even counting the new 350! I'm getting a ton of new models but I know many of you are unfamiliar with this line so I'll just overview it:

• SSe's: I'll have an 18 Bowrider for ~$14K on trailer with a 4 cyl, $16k+ with a 4.3L V6 and a 20' Cuddy Cabin on trailer ~$21k
• SSi's almost completely replaced. The new models are 186, 196, 216, 230 Bow riders, and 230 cuddy. To me the 196 will be totally hot, a 3000 pound 19 1/2' bowrider on a tandem axle trailer! The 230 will be a great slot boat in between the 210 and 240 Chris Crafts.
• The new 350 Signature will be a winner. I can't get one for 6 months-when they told me I said I don't care about the first boat-when can I get a 2nd one!

• Newsletter #7 : Chris Craft Meeting recap, etc
• Newsletter #6 : Memorial Day happens-and then you get sunburned
• Newsletter #5 : Mother Nature, you tease
• Newsletter #4 : When is this weather going to Break?
• Newsletter #3 : Yipee! The boat show is over!
• Newsletter #2 : My thoughts about Chris Craft/Carlton's a great guy
• Newsletter #1 : No we're not selling the place or dumping Chris Craft
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