Boating Industry announced its 2018 Top 100 dealers

“From the thousands of dealers in North America — and hundreds of nominations — these 100 dealers are the best of the best,” said Top 100 Program Director Jonathan Sweet. “With growth of more than 16 percent, this elite group more than doubled the growth rate of the industry as a whole.”

The Top 100 is the only independent ranking of boat dealers in North America.

The list recognizes dealerships that are unsurpassed in business operations, professionalism, marketing tactics, customer service and more. The Boating Industry Top 100 has recognized the top dealers in North America every year since 2005.

“After 14 years, the Boating Industry Top 100 continues to grow, with dealers setting new records that outpace the market,” Sweet said. “The Top 100 and Hall of Fame achieved revenue of nearly $3.6 billion in 2017, half a billion more than 2016.”

The Sail & Ski Center of Austin, Texas was named as the 2018 Dealer of the Year.

"The Sail & Ski Center continues to impress with its customer service, marketing, workforce development and industry advocacy," Sweet said.

The dealership grew revenue to a record high in fiscal year 2017, up 8 percent from 2016, which was on top of more than a 30 percent increase in 2016.

"This year's selection is well-deserved, but is of course, also bittersweet, as the company lost founder and co-owner Rod Malone earlier this year," Sweet said. "From numerous talks with Rod, I know how much this industry and the Top 100 meant to him."

HALL OF FAME, BEST IN CLASS HONORED

All six members of the Top 100 Hall of Fame were honored at the Top 100 Gala, including Galati Yacht Sales, Gordy’s Lakefront Marine, Legendary Marine, MarineMax, Prince William Marine Sales, and new inductee OneWater Marine Holdings.

Boating Industry also recognized eight other companies with special “Best in Class” awards, for companies that particularly excelled in one area of their business.

• Best Industry Advocate – Irwin Marine, Laconia, N.H.
• Best Customer Service – Buckeye Marine, Bobcaygeon, Ontario
• Best Digital Strategy – Boulder Boats, Henderson, Nev.
• Most Training & Benefits – Parks Marina, Okoboji, Iowa
• Special Recognition – Vallely Sport & Marine, Bismarck, N.D.
• Best Marketing – Russell Marine, Alexander City, Ala.
• Best New Idea - Futrell Marine, Hot Springs, Ark.
• Best Service Department – Regal & Nautique of Orlando, Orlando, Fla.

As in past years, the Top 20 members of the Top 100 were ranked, with the remaining 80 being recognized as Top 100 dealers.

For complete coverage of the 2017 Top 100, be sure to check out the January 2019 issue of Boating Industry.

The Boating Industry Top 100 is sponsored by the Leadership Alliance: Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance, Manheim Specialty Auctions, Volvo Penta, Brunswick Dealer Advantage, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

To see the complete Top 100 list click here.