Changes to RCL?

[wondering]

I thought I'd post this question here, rather than add it to the General Discussion about the Genmar sale of Lund, Crestliner, and Lowe to Brunswick.

What do you think this will do to the RCL in the short term (04 season), and long term? Will they eliminate Lund and Crestliner owners from the field this year? How about next year?

[Juls_OH]

No worries. It's business as usual. Contracts have to be honored.

Juls

[howlong]

What contracts are you talking about, and when do they expire?

[Eyecrosser]

Do you have any control over the contracts? Just wondering.

[Hoping]

Not sure what will happen short term or long term, but I do hope a new pro am series starts. This is what I personally would like to see.

A series that is two day events with entry for the pro or boater around the 500-600 dollar range. Winners take somewhere around 20,000-30,000. Open to all boats and motors. You also can pick and chose the events you want to fish (just 1 or all or 2 ect..)maybe cap it at 150 entries, 200 max.

Now my reason for this is the PWT has tightened up a bit and their entry is 1400 for pro and the winners share is pretty high. The RCL has big payout and big entry as well, and you need a Ranger Crestliner or Lund to get in.

A series like I described would allow guys that no longer can get in the PWT or don't have a RCL boat still fish Pro Am style events. This would kind of be like the Everstart series in bass fishing. maybe it could even be a feeder series to the PWT or something. The top 1 or 2 or 5 guys get a shot at the PWT and someone that is not performing in the PWT gets sent down to this series untill they pick it up a bit. The RCL walleye league is fine but they are one day and payout is good but not great. It seems there are two levels, all out or entry level, nothing in between. Team events are good but there are guys that like the Pro Am format.

Just a thought. What do the rest of you think?

[Juls_OH]

Nope.

[Jonny Rocket]

Personally, I like the idea described by Hoping, with the exception of maybe the top 2 or 5 getting a shot at the PWT and the guys not performing being sent down. But I would like to see a series like this.

I probably will never get a shot at the PWT and I don't want to be limited to a certain brand boat. I do currently run a Crestliner and would buy another but I also would like to try something different, maybe a Tundra. I currently fish the RCL walleye league but would like to see a two day event that payed a bit more. I also fish the team events but I really like the Pro Am format.

Jon Piette NPAA #294



PS in fact a few weeks ago at the Green Bay boat show a well knowen pro and I discussed this very thing, and he seemed to think it was a good idea as well.

[bonus]

I cant believe Genamar would pay bonuses for someone elses boat brand. There is such things as buyout clauses. There is the possibility that Brunswick may have to honor part of it but it dosent make much business sense for Genmar to honor it completly.

[wondering]

Has anyone talked to Sonny? I wonder if the RCL will do a press release or anything?

[observer]

Have read everything that I can find on this subject and nobody even mentions the future of the RCL or it's leagues. Did Brunswick's press people just over look this key piece of two of three brands it just bought. I dought it.

Looks like this plan wasn't cooked up just last week and somebodies been playing both sides of the fence.

RCL starts

RCL goes to bed with OMC/Yamaha

RCL leagues start

Jacobs tries to buy OMC

Bomber buys OMC

RCL league fishermen drive Crestliner & Lund market share up along with Bomber/OMC & Yamaha.

Mercury sales drop in fresh water ( Midwest)

RCL league fishermen seeking glory and fame continue to
fund the Genmar machine and raise the value of Crestliner and Lund dramatically while buying Bomber/OMC & Yamaha's.

After beating up on Mercury - with Bomber/OMC - Yamaha ( the very companies that helped him to the top of walleye world and increase his boat market share with prize money.)

Jacob's turns around and sells his top brands at a large price to the very company that he has been making lose money.

At the same time he says good-bye to all his tin walleye buddies that helped make him richer.

Does not sound like someone who is really concerned about the future of walleye fishing.

Anybody feel used?

Keep these facts in mind if your ever in the market for a glass boat.

Lund, Crestliner and Lowe brands were bought for 1 reason, to have more transoms to hang Merc's on.

[hmm]

I'm not a business man...I'm not sure I really understand the business philosophy of limiting motor selection to just one on these boats. It seems like it could backfire. I.E. if people arn't given a choice at this company, wont they just go to another?

[GR8WTHUNTER]

The "bonus" money comes into play at the championship. The rules have clearly shown that the Pro pay from the RCL is $150K. There is a contingiency if you own a RCor L boat of another $150K and 100 K fot the Yammi or Bomb motor. The "bonus" monies are paid by the boat or motor companies in the long run. The RCL has been a marketing sucess for Genmar. I would think that Brunswick would be responsible for paying on boats they made. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

[Marble Eyes]

The bonus money was paid by Ranger, Crestliner and Lund. Not Genmar.
There is a big difference that seems to be misunderstood or not seen.

It is equivilant to Chevy Sponsoring a Race, GM doesn't get involved.
Such is the way of business. Most are allowed to operate with a wide berth of freedom.

IMHO there will be a tournament series for these boats for a few years simply because as a Marketing strategy you don't undercut the People out front promoting and showcasing your product. (The Tournament Angler)

The bottom line for Genmar, Brunswick and GM is Market share and stock Prices. :)

[Western Walleye Editor]

I have emailed Sonny asking for an "official position" on how he feels this will impact the RCL. I will pass it on when I hear from him.

Honsie

[JLDII]

The RCL will continue as it has. The 30 million dollars that is quoted as coming to Genmar in time will be paying bonuses and lost revenues to them from the curcuit. There will still be the bonus money from each of the boat makers, plus now, Mercury will be in the mix, and offering a bonus to those who win running a Mercury.

All in all, it is a pretty smart deal Irwin has put together. Plus, it works well for Brunswick/Mercury as well. The only thing anyone has to worry about, is if the new VEC technology does not hold up, or work out as planned. Then Irwin stands to loose BIG!!

[hopeso]

Hope your take on the circumstances is correct. Woundering if you spoke with someone to get this info. The silence is deafening.

The pros moving to Tracker are starting to put up some flags in my mind. Mercury and Tracker are a tight package. I'm starting to think Tracker and the guys that are getting on their staff know something that we don't.

Don't think the Wave Wacker event is going have any issues filling a full field this year. Guessing that the pros who have skipped out the last year or two are going to get back in. Probally back to the waiting list system to get in with the slot going the fishermens way.

[T-Todd]

>Nope. What do you mean nope....What are you going to fish if you don't qualify to fish the PWT top 100 in the future????? YES we need a middle of the line circut so everybody has a chance to get to the top if this is what we choose.With the RCL in limbo who knows......

[Fishing Insider]

Frankly I think it suprised them as much as it surprised us.

[ebijack]

irwin sold the VEC technology a while ago to an outside firm...he won't have to worry about warranty etc.

[Juls_OH]

I said "Nope" to the question posed to me, which was..."Do you have any control over the contracts?"

The answer is, No. I don't have any control over the contracts.

Juls

[confused]

Juls,

He was just a little confused...I think the new site format makes it hard for some people to tell which post the one they are reading is a reply to. I know it confused me at first ;-)

[Watching]

First off, Brunswick, nor Mercury has said anything about limiting these boats, to only fitting Mercury Motors.

Second, Brunswick, nor Mercury has said nothing about Bonus money for RCL.

Third, watch what you say, as the eyes at Mercury are watching what you post, Jack!


Play nice,
Eyes

[JLDII]

Whoever said I was speaking for Mercury, or Brunswick?

Maybe not this year, but how could you or anyone else expect Brunswick who now owns 2 of the 3 boats in the RCL and Mercury to NOT offer bonuses for running their motors? Why would they endorse a curcuit that encourages people to run a competitors motor instead of their own? It would not make any sence!!

I think that there are alot more important things for Mercury to think about right now than what anyone on this board has to say. I don't want to suprise you here, but there are not many people in the industry that pay much attention to what is said here. Some other boards, maybe, but here, NO!

[rangerpat]

Jack,
I have to disagree with you on the thought that not many people in the industry view this forum. Trust me they do.

Couldn't sleep after the dogs started growling. Pat

[sevenmmm]

They may be watching, but it is only a message board where the ignorant (me included :-)) get to have a say. If there are a few in the industry that view the posts here, am sure it is for their pleasure - only.

It would be folly to make sound business decisions from such ramblings!