Not so long ago, after a particular boat was seen in ads and at boat shows, it was relatively easy to make the dream come true. The economy hummed. Financial statements could not have looked any better—they were swollen with net values of owned assets. If your last year of income was not sterling, your accountant could help put your banker’s concerns to rest. Your present and future commissions, bonuses and stock market investments and assets had projected healthy yields. Adding an extra cushion of collateral to ease the banker’s concern was no problem. Ways and means of fi nancing the boat were always within reach. Those were the happy days. Financial happiness was in the air, real or based on positive mental att itude. In that strong economy we trusted.

No one ever imagined that this eternal good fortune would come to an end one day. Warnings did not come over PA loud speakers; swinging baseball bats did not crash down on those who would not listen. The happy music kept humming and boats kept selling.

Then one day, suddenly and unexpectedly, the music stopped and the happy days of life we had come to rely on came to an end. A new dawn, the Depression, had resurfaced to descend on this nation and imprison us in a dungeon from Hell.

So what do we do now? Evidently new boat sales are nowhere on the radar screen. However, items are selling at boat shows—from insurance to marine electronics to upgrades to improvements that could change your boat. These are the only things you need to give your boat a new life.

Those pessimists that don’t see a recovery remain shortsighted, not recognizing positive aspects of the situation. Boating in America remains strong with some 13 million boat owners, most of whom own their boats, free and clear, and could give their vessels a new life through quality upgrades.

Marine experts and boat show aficionados report that even though boat sales are slow, boating products are selling. It reveals that if boat shows are unable to help sell boats, they can sell products to those who already own boats.

Has anyone noticed that the millions of registered boaters in the boating community can make a difference in creating new jobs, while giving their boats a new life? Rekindle the romance with your boat by hiring professionals to give it a new paint job or a full interior rehab.

As our New Year’s resolution, let us make a difference. Love the boat you are with while helping the economy and creating new jobs.