"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
.com...


The last time Hatteras took it on the chin like this was when GHWB's
administration put a "luxury tax" on boats. In essence, it closed the
original Hatteras facility in High Point for good....
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...C0A9679582 60



I goes without saying that the current issue is fuel costs. Everyone
has a limit to what they are willing to pay for recreational enjoyment.

We had friends visiting today from Germany and we got on the subject of
boats, cars, the high cost of fuel and how it was affecting our respective
countries. He told me that in Germany, people scoff at us Americans
complaining about our 4 buck a gallon fuel. They are paying well over
$9/gallon (equivalent in liters).

The unemployment rate in Germany also remains very high .... over 10
percent.

He is seriously considering relocating to the USA.

Eisboch


I think some of the blame for boat biz decline can be placed on the housing
mortgage debacle. If your home is in foreclosure you probably won't be
buying a yacht.