Some See Early Signs Of Rising Tide For Boats

"We've done everything we can do to survive and maybe thrive in this market," Kujawa said.

Back at Rapid Sport Marine, Jake Jacobson, general manager of Rapid Marine Group, which has stores in Ham Lake, Shakopee and St. Cloud, said he's optimistic because of all the people like Xiong who've dropped in on his showrooms this spring.

Manufacturers are offering factory rebates, prices have been cut to clear out inventories and loans with 6.9 percent interest rates and low monthly payments over 10- to 12-year terms are available for people with good credit, Jacobson said.

"We're positive. We're upbeat. We're selling boats every day," Jacobson said.

___

On the Net:

National Marine Manufacturers Association: http://www.nmma.org

Marine Retailers Association of America: http://www.mraa.com

Brunswick Corp.: http://www.brunswick.com

Genmar Holdings Inc.: http://www.genmar.com