Marine Stock Prices

[GordMay]

I'll never make a living through investment, but for those interested ...

Selected Marine Stocks - Prices at Close of Market Feb. 18, 2005
Stock ~ Today’s Price (52 Week Hi & Lo)

Brunswick ~ 45.94 (49.85 - 34.51)

MarineMax ~ 34.26 (34.95 - 18.05)

Lowrance ~ 29.30 (37.19 - 20.90)

West Marine ~ 23.85 (33.57 - 17.50)

Fountain ~ 5.77 (6.50 - 3.03)

Marine Products ~ 27.25 (32.10 - 12.11)

[sv_makai]

West Marine my favorite charity. Even here in Venezuela I shop there.

[GordMay]

Bill:
I doubt if the IRS accepts West receipts in support of your charitable donations claim

[irwinsailor]

Thats an interesting angle that you hought of Gord. We could become daytraders!

[GordMay]

Selected Marine Stock Prices (As of Noon 3/15/05):
Stock ~ Today ~ 52 Weeks Hi / Lo
Brunswick ~ 47.26 ~ 49.85 / 34.51
MarineMax ~ 33.10 ~ 35.14 / 18.05
Lowrance ~ 25.25 ~ 37.19 /21.00
West Marine ~ 22.56 ~ 33.57 / 17.50
Fountain ~ 5.14 ~ 6.50 / 3.06
MarineProducts ~ 18.50 ~ 21.40 / 8.61

[irwinsailor]

My bet would have been on Brunswick because of their wide product mix, and I would have been right. But I did not invest.

[GordMay]

Selected Marine Stocks - As of noon 4/19/05

Stock ~ Today (April 19) ~ 52 Weeks Hi / Lo

Brunswick ~ 42.99 ~ 49.85 / 34.51
MarineMax ~ 29.71 ~ 35.14 / 18.05
Lowrance ~ 24.35 ~ 37.19 / 21.00
West Marine ~ 19.91 ~ 30.68 / 17.50
Fountain ~ 5.58 ~ 6.50 / 3.48
Marine Products ~ 13.69 ~ 21.40 / 9.15

[GordMay]

West Marine, Inc. Held a webcast and conference call this morning.

West Marine's financial results for 2007 reflected a challenging year in our industry," said West CEO Geoff Eisenberg in a statement.

West had sales of US$679.5 million compared to sales of US$716.6 million a year ago. Same store sales were down by 1.9 per cent for the year. It also reported a net loss of US$50.2 million, compared to a restated net loss of US$7.7 million a year ago.

West Marine Reports:
West Marine Reports Fourth Quarter 2007 Sales and Expected Impact of Certain Events | Reuters

[Chuck Baier]

The service in most of their stores leave much to be desired, the inventory is so far out of whack it is laughable and they have become the highest price retailer in a lot of markets so what do they expect. Perhaps BoatUS will buy them back at a bargain basements price and put it back on track to what the stores used to be.

[David M]

As a sector (the boating industry) I would run away from, or short this sector as a whole going into a recession.

Originally Posted by Chuck Baier

The service in most of their stores leave much to be desired, the inventory is so far out of whack it is laughable and they have become the highest price retailer in a lot of markets so what do they expect. Perhaps BoatUS will buy them back at a bargain basements price and put it back on track to what the stores used to be.

My biggest beef with West Marine is not their prices (I have a Port Supply account there), its that they have cut back their inventory so much that half the time I have to wait 1-3 days for their delivery truck to bring from the warehouse what I need. As far as knowledgeable people go, you learn who are the knowledgeable ones and who don't have much of a clue. West Marine DOES have a handful of knowledgeable people but you have to learn who they are. It's really best to go in there knowing exactly what you need and if you don't know, do your research on the internet first.

Another beef is their predatory policy against the competitors. They buy them out and then shut them down a year or two later...such as they did with Maritime Electronics and Armchair Sailor both right across the street from their store in Sausalito, CA. The people at Maritime Electronics were extremely knowledgeable and very helpful with marine electronics so that was a double-wammy for me which ticked me off.

I believe it is the other way with Boat USA. Boat USA used to have a store in Oakland right around two corners from their Oakland store. I went into the Boat USA store one day only to find out they had been bought by West Marine...because they told me that I could use my Port Supply card in the Boat USA store now. To make the story short...The Boat USA store in Oakland is now closed and the West Marine store around a couple corners is still open.

[Chuck Baier]

Worst Marine has been advertising for a Sr VP of Marketing
Latitude 38 - The West's Premier Sailing & Marine Magazine
But until the company changes it's overall policies and decides it wants to become a real discount retailer to the boating community it will continue on a downslide until it is no more.

[David M]

Chuck,
I think that is the problem. WM is getting killed by the competition coming from the internet on big ticket items.

I know that is what I have been doing the past few years...going to the internet for things other than small items like stainless steel fasteners and marine grade paint.

[Chuck Baier]

David, Agree completely. I have about $2000.00 in equipment on the way to me right now ordered on line, most from Defender, and I have a Worst Marine 1/2 mile from where I sit.

[GordMay]

Those of us who “go to the internet for things other than small items like stainless steel fasteners and marine grade paint”, may soon find that there are no local chandleries (large like West, or smaller Mom & Pops) at which to pick up a few of S/S screws, etc. for a quick project.
This is what has happened where I live. We all saved a few dollars on the big ticket items (mail order etc, in those days) and eventually, all the local marine stores closed.
Support those who support your needs.

[DeepFrz]

As a matter of interest. I don't have any idea of splits, etc.
As of today

West Marine - 8.11
Brunswick Corporation - 16.89
MarineMax - 13.61
Lowrance - Now part of Simrad
Fountain - ???
Marine Products - 8.72


2005
Brunswick ~ 45.94 (49.85 - 34.51)

MarineMax ~ 34.26 (34.95 - 18.05)

Lowrance ~ 29.30 (37.19 - 20.90)

West Marine ~ 23.85 (33.57 - 17.50)

Fountain ~ 5.77 (6.50 - 3.03)

Marine Products ~ 27.25 (32.10 - 12.11)