Did anyone else get the email saying that the Rinker boat brand is going away? I'm not sure if I read it wrong but it seems like it's shutting down for good.
"Today Polaris Inc. announced it has made the strategic decision to focus its marine investments and growth efforts on its flagship boating brands. As a result, Polaris will stop producing Rinker, Striper and Larson FX boat brands at its Syracuse, Indiana plant in June."
The email says they are winding down the Polaris Syracuse facility and winding down the Rinker brand 😕. I wonder who is next, wasn't SeaRay about to shutdown last year but then decided not to or something?
Yeah, this is bad for all Rinker owners. Polaris says they will offer customer support, but will it be the same?
And ... dare I say it ... what becomes of the forum?
Oh man, sad news all around for sure! I felt like Rinker was really getting it all back together. It sure is going to leave a void in the boating market.
I sure hope there is a way to keep this forum going & keep all the great content we have hear too!
Is there a way to save all the forum info somewhere? I’m not that computer savvy, then start a new owners forum it this one goes down. Maybe keep it going with donations?
Not sure how this website is being hosted but I would imagine that the webmaster could transfer it to someone else. Should be an easy process. If Polaris is going to still offer support then maybe they will keep this forum as well.
This is a sad day for all Rinker owners. The company has a long history of producing great boats in the USA and now it is all ending. Hopefully some investors will buy it to keep it going but in these times when you can't even use a boat it is unlikely.
We have had this discussion before- our cruisers are old hat...people don't find the allure to boating like we do...to many other things to do, life is to busy. 100 grand now riders or pontoon boats are in or mega yachts - not much in-between ...center console fishing boats with six motors ...I hope keep the forum going we until we all die out! Very sad...
Man, things are changing fast. This economic mess is only the start. Margins are squeezed, triggers are being pulled all over the place.
Wonder if this announcement ~ might be a shot fired by Polaris in an attempt to get govt bailout funding to keep the companies viable & workers employed?
Dream Walter McCallum (spelling) was the owner of the old site. He went by the name of Talon. It was his site. I tried to reach out to him before and trust me its a long story. I would highly doubt Rinker would change anything with this site. IMO as long as Rinker is making boats we are safe.
@raybo3 Hope you were wrong on that last sentence!
@Pat310 I remember that battle with the old site like it was yesterday. I still have every e-mail and information that went back and forth. I have a call into Rinker. I am hoping that we can get a group to take it over. I am looking into administration and costs related to the site. Not to get too far ahead here but we may need to charge a fee to members. I will keep everyone posted and updated.
2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org raybo3@live.com
BOATS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE ... that's the issue ... PERIOD. I bought my 260 EC for like $85k Canadian, brand new ... I think that was like $5 US at the time ... lol. Joking, it was probably around $80k USD at the time ... now you can't get anything brand new for over $100k USD ... and us Canadians are getting hammered on the exchange rate! I also hear we have an aging used boat fleet ... and that's not going to cut it for Mr. Millennial.
For 4 months of usage a year (great lakes), if the weather cooperates, and if the kids aren't busy, and the admiral is in the mood, and if it's not broken...
Yes, the kind of echos the conversation we had before on this in another thread...no way I would have spent the money for four months of usage, I just don't have it to throw around...plus, if I had to take it to the shop for everything...who am I kidding, I can't afford it but I live it and deserve something I enjoy...for as long as I can hang with it. 100 grand as mentioned above is a pontoon boat or those fancy bow riders...outboards are 20 grand a pop...to many options out there for most families to tie up all your entertainment funds in a boat. And while there is plenty of money in this country, it's being held by fewer and fewer people so that might be biting some of the rich folks in the **** a bit...
For 4 months of usage a year (great lakes), if the weather cooperates, and if the kids aren't busy, and the admiral is in the mood, and if it's not broken...
Comments
https://www.polaris.com/en-us/news/company/polaris-to-discontinue-production-of-rinker-striper-larson-fx-boats/
Go Steelers!!!
And ... dare I say it ... what becomes of the forum?
I sure hope there is a way to keep this forum going & keep all the great content we have hear too!
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
put al n handy n charge
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
Go Steelers!!!
This economic mess is only the start. Margins are squeezed, triggers are being pulled all over the place.
@raybo3 Hope you were wrong on that last sentence!
Boat Name: King Kong
"Boat + Water = Fun"
Still love my boat!