Read the Press of Atlantic City on Monday, the paper reports that Viking is going to buy Ocean Yachts.
No, doesn't make me wonder. They're out. Will the son restart something elsewhere? Always possible. But when you sell your facilities, you're pretty well not in business any longer.
Does someone buy the name and the plugs and wait like Post? Who knows. Lotta great old brands going downtown.
There's a feeling the son may want the name and plan on doing something in the future. I can easily picture plans but no execution, a la others from Tollycraft to Post.
Not exactly. Maybe yes, but that might also depend on your definition of "manufacturer." Dr. Ira Trocki -- the guy who bought Buddy Davis, Egg Harbor, and a few other brands -- bought the Silverton name and molds. His group has built a very few boats (5-6?), and I think they have another in production right now. All very much up to the typical build quality Silverton was known for. (Not a Viking or a Hatteras, but a pretty good Chevy and certainly more affordable than a comparably-sized Viking or Hatt.) They've mostly been displayed at boat shows and a few have sold, and I think they're using a single broker... but there's not a dealer network per se. He had a single Buddy Davis on the market for a long time; don't know outcome of that. Not sure whether that group has built any boats in those other brands. I keep hoping Viking will buy Silverton (name, and any useful), actually produce boats in the 30' to maybe 45' range, and make that "brand" their "entry-level" segment... -Chris
Yes, Egg Harbor bought Silverton through bankruptcy. They have all the molds as well as all inventory of parts.
I don't either, really... and I don't have insight into real facts and figures (market wide, Viking-specific, Silverton-specific) to even know whether it'd be worth the analysis or not. Call it brainstorming. -Chris
I pass the Viking plant everyday ( work in A.C. ) it's amazing how many new boats they are selling. There is always a boat or two in the water ready to go.
Viking has bought Ocean. They plan to have 2 production lines at the Ocean site. They plan to produce the Ocean 37 ft under the Viking brand.
I think the story is like that; Ocean (name and molds from 42 to 70 model) was sold to Troicki, and Viking bought the plant and molds for the 37.