Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | lambeau - 11/24/2008 7:27 PM
yep, you're exactly right in a typical manufacturers-are-always-right kind of way.
no demand means that the same-old companies make the same-old boats. it's sort of a very "safe" way to approach business; just responding to market demands means that you're always selling something you know people already want.
the companies that steer the market are the ones that INNOVATE, which is taking a new idea and creating something that people aren't aware of yet.
the companies that take these kinds of risks drive the market in certain directions when they get it right. (when they get it wrong the product disappears.)
before Musky Innovations came out with the bulldawg, there was essentially no demand for this kind of soft plastic swimbait. now it dominates the market.
before Musky Mayhem came out with the Cowgirl, there was essentially no demand for double-bladed bucktails of that size. now? beyond huge.
if those companies had simply made the "safe" bait that consumers already wanted, we wouldn't be catching as many big fish.
a tiller boat with a console is an innovation; yes, it's likely to have limited demand since the tiller slice of the market is already relatively small. however, a company that makes it and advertises it just might sell a couple boats that would have gone to a different brand instead. the market's tight enough that a couple boats here and there definitely matters, especially for the smaller regional builders.
it would be nice to see more innovation in all sectors of the market. unfortunately, you're also right that recent sharp declines in sales could definitely limit the chances that we'll see many "risks" taken by boat companies who may be hesitant to pour money into developing new designs for small market slices.
Trying to sell to a market that from the sounds of it, manufactures have already dabbled in previous years is basically asking for bankruptcy at this point in time imho. This side console on tillers is not a new innovation, it's just an old concept that really basically never took. Supposedly Ranger has used this concept before, Lund has at least one model in production and willing to build upon request but you expect other companies to step to the plate in something that from what I can see on the water is not what consumers want? Be real here. Sure, some smaller more regional builders might be able to make a somewhat go at it, but if a boat like this requires new tooling or a new design in order to build wouldn't probably be worth the money put into the tooling. Tooling for boats costs A LOT.
The marine industry is in the worst shape it's EVER been. You've got Ranger who's letting more employees go and cutting more and more than ever before. You've got Brunswick doing god knows what with all there lines of boats, you've got the largest outboard motor company in the world cutting back what seems an every other week basis but think that by trying to RE-INNOVATE a product that didn't take before is a good idea?
Did you honestly just compare Musky Innovations with building boats? What? Are you kidding me? Your talking about boats, boats that cost thousands of dollars, your talking about a tackle company that sells baits for what, a maximum of $30-40? How can a company justify building a boat that didn't take before?
"An innovator or pioneer (pronounced /?p???'n??r/) in a general sense is a person or an organization who is one of the first to do something and often opens up a new area for others and achieves an innovation." That's an innovator.
You want an innovator, an innovator is a company like Lund. WalleyeFirst was at their 2009 Lund Boat Dealer conference in Red Wing this past September and got to see the whole 2009 Lund lineup. WalleyeFirst got exclusive video and images of an innovative product. They've got a new boat coming(actually a couple) out that has at least one feature like I've never seen before. The new 2075 Pro-V tiller has a new console setup that can be stowed and locked and adjusted like nothing ever before. Take a look at the new setup in the 2075, it's pretty cool!
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1139
I think if there are a select few that think this kind of boat is what they would like, they'd be better off looking to find an engineer or some kind of person who can make this side console custom. Not trying to sound pessimistic on your view of manufactures needing to innovate, but with the current market, and boat sales the way they currently are, don't see too much what I would call "high risk" moves like this. |
