INTREPID POWERBOATS BECOMES MODEL FOR SUCCESS IN
CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES

Largo, Fla. (Oct. 20 2009) – Intrepid powerboat sales have remained just as steady and strong as its renowned hull design. At a time when many other marine-related companies are struggling, Intrepid has a backlog of $40 million in signed contracts and deposits, enough work to keep its 250-member workforce on the job for a long time to come.

Several factors contribute to the company’s stability and success. Intrepid has no debt, carries no inventory, and is committed to superior quality, innovation and customer satisfaction. Intrepid powerboats’ financial stability is attributed in part to the fact that the company owns its properties and facilities outright. Another important strength is that Intrepid builds one customer’s boat at a time, which avoids having inventory, a trend that the boating industry is likely to follow, according to Intrepid President Ken Clinton.

“Intrepid’s one-at-a-time process also creates a very close relationship with its customers which leads to innovations and solutions that pay big dividends,” added Clinton. One of those solutions is the Certified Pre-Owned program, which was launched this summer to assist those customers who want to get into the next level Intrepid. The trade-in boat is restored in the factory to renowned Intrepid standards. So far, virtually all of these trade-ins have been sold before they arrived at the sales center. The Certified Pre-Owned has enabled Intrepid to adjust to the economic realities and also offers customers an opportunity to get their dreamboat right away.

Listening to customers helps Intrepid to increase market share as well. After customers requested a boat that would combine excellent fishing features with family cruising amenities, Intrepid announced a new design, the 400 Center Console. The unique innovations on this model include a higher freeboard to provide increased safety and security; optional forward seating that electronically slides together to create a spacious sunpad surrounded by ample fishing room and an optional bullet-style console with pop-up electronics panel. Intrepid will premier this 400 Center Console at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show and will also showcase it at the Miami Boat Show.

The next evolution of Intrepid design is the 245 Center Console which will debut at the Miami boat show. The new 245 Center Console packs all the punch of Intrepid’s awe-inspiring quality in a sleek but smaller package. The 245 Center Console delivers many high-end features such as a spacious head, a hidden windlass and rod lockers. Designed as an ideal yacht tender, or a second boat, it's perfectly easy to trailer or tow. The 245 Center Console is another example that illustrates how Intrepid management builds what the market wants, and will absorb, and how the company continues to surpass expectations every single time. Pre-orders from eager new and current Intrepid owners have already been secured. Future plans call for additional models to serve their changing and expanding market.  

“When a customer buys an Intrepid they know we will take the time to make their dream a reality and we will be here to warranty and service them in the future. Their Intrepid will hold its value and we will work hard to keep them coming back to us,” added Clinton. Intrepid enjoys great brand loyalty. In addition to Intrepid’s expanding market share, nearly 70 percent of buyers return and upgrade to the next level Intrepid to suit their lifestyle.

Another testament to the company’s strength is a five-year order Intrepid will be completing for more than forty, 30-foot Center Consoles for the U.S. Government to be used for Homeland Security, U.S. Customs, police and fireboats. “To have our boats put through the rigors of daily work under extreme conditions and to hear how well they perform, that’s one of the biggest compliments you can get,” stated Intrepid President Ken Clinton.