New boat manufacturer in MN

[Jim]

I recently talked to my brother in law about a new boat manufacturer in MN. He heard some things in the news about their new material/ways of making their hulls. Has anyone heard of this new company? He thought it might be near Little Falls.

[Joe]

Larson is using an injection molding to build there boats now

[Banker]

I may not know much about boats but I'm very familiar (in my professional life) with Genmar, the Erwin Jacobs company that owns Lund, Larson, et al. A few years ago they purchased a small company that had developed a new injection mold process that they have since refined to produce top quality fiberglass boat hulls -- the potential future applications of this technology are nearly endless. This new process is less labor intensive and more precise (specs, tolerances, etc.) than the current method of hand-laid fiberglass construction. Jacobs says that while the cost of boats made with this new technology will initially be higher than traditional fiberglass boats, in a few years prices will come down to a "very competitive" range. As the previous post noted, Genmar is currently producing boats using this process under the Larson brand.

[Nofish]

Hey gang,

Ranger also currently uses vacum/injection molding to create things like trailer fenders and deck lids.

The advantages are a much higer glass to resin ratio and more even dispersement of the resin in the glass and fewer air pockets. The more glass to ratio you can get, the lighter and stronger the product is. And because it is done in a vacum process, much less strength robbing air pockets.

Have fun......R

[win_tj]

glastron is also using the process. their hull is called the VEC hull.

[Stan]

Jim,

Last year at a boat show, I saw a new company that made their hulls out of, I think, injected polyethelene. Had a hammer there so you could pound on the hull anywhere and no damage. Seemed like a possible alternative to glass boats.
\Was this the same company and boats you were referring to?

[AquaMan]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-12-00 AT 10:13AM (CST)[p]Genmar owns a good chunk.

Lund
Ranger
Crestliner
Larson
Glastron
Carver
Hatteras
Trojan
Logic
Nova
Aquasport

Erwin Jacobs has created quite a portfolio of the more popular boats in the US. They are working on an acquisition that would add Alumicraft, Titan and Bayliner in the next few years. Pretty much a monopoly on boats, wouldn't you say?

But you are right on the money, Banker. This new process will revolutionize the way "glass" boats are manufactured in the future. The technology will also be applied to a wide variety of products as well. Mr. Jacobs will essentially position his company as the leader in this process in short order, making enormous investment returns for his cronies.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Banker]

AquaMan,

Yes, Mr. Jacobs certainly has amassed quite the collection of boat companies, but I would hesitate waving any red flags at this point regarding a boat-building monopoly. I suppose people still remember the "corporate raider" reputation Jacobs acquired for himself during the go-go 80s, but I can attest to the fact that the boat-building business hasn't always been profitable for him. Don't forget that Irwin is an avid boater and fisherman, which was what got him interested in this business many years ago when he bought a little known company called General Marine (nka Genmar).

[KevinA]

This a Logic boat(logicboats.com)...a rotary polyethylene molding process of some sort. It sounds like they are talking about a new fiberglass process.

I'm sort of familiar with 'ole Irwin. June 30th, 1983 was my last working day at the Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee after 9.5 years. Timing is everything...at 10 years I would have had vested pension rights. 'ole Irwin was the corporate raider that started the ball rolling that ended in a closed brewery and 900 bread winners out of work...the Pabst family mis-management I'm sure helped. This is a long time ago, but I thing 'ole Irwin may have have had a finger or two in Heileman's demise also....but I'm sure he made plenty of money on these deals.

[AquaMan]

Remember MinStar? Between Erwin Jacobs, Ted Diekle, Curt Carlson and a few others, Genmar was created to provide a holding company that would change Erwin's labed "Raider" profile to a more softer and solid investment opportunity for the long haul. He owns the FLW Tourny and bought the Bass touney on Minetonka in addition to the Minnetonka Boat Works. So I think Mr. Jacobs is here to stay for better.

As far as monopolies goes, I doubt that he could encompass too many more without some intervention by the FTC. So, no, I am not really worried about that. From my standpoint he did do a lot to revive some sagging profits in that industry and may have saved a few of those boats from extinction.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Kevin L.]

While Irwin Jacobs may own all these boat companies, as well as many others, one cannot assume that he has anything to do with their design - quality - dealers - etc. He has the pocketbook that makes them go but that is all he probably does for the companies.

These boat companies make a good product in spite of who owns the company. Do you really think that IJ can even name the models within the Ranger line, or the Lund line, or any others? Probably not.

Still, it's great that he has shown intrest in these companies and given them the finacial backing to keep them going. It can only be good for the industry, especially if he can afford to push some of the new technologies that are coming along these days.

Composites, injection, vacuum molding, etc. They are all good for those who want a boat of quality.

Kevin L.

[Lawrence]

Genmar is using the new "vec" hulls on only a few of the 2001 Larson and Glastron models. They are extremely excited about this new method. They will not use the vec hulls on all of their models for a number of years. I was at the Canadian Genmar show a few weeks ago and had a good look at the INDESTRUCTABLE logic boats. The only comment I will make is that the fit and finish had a bit to be desired and I couldn't help feeling that I was sitting in a rubbermaid tub. But , yes, it looked as though it could rub up against rocks for about 100 years and still float.
Lawrence

[Banker]

Lawrence,

I'd like to talk to you regarding the content of your 2/28/00 response to the "Buying a new Lund in Canada" post. Email me at your convenience.