To help entice customers during the current economic downturn, boat and engine companies are offering some great deals throughout the 2009 Spring boat show season. Here’s a roundup of a few of the big ones. If you don’t see your favorite brand listed, check their Web site, because they’re likely to have incentives, as well.





CASH BACK FROM SKEETER

Skeeter Boats (skeeterboats.com) is once again offering its “Buy. Save. Fish.” promotion, which features cash back rebates of up to $2000 on select new, in stock and ordered boats. The deals last until March 30.

Rebates are available on Skeeter’s i-Class Series, ZX Series and SX Series bass boats, Deep V Series, SL Family Sport Series and Saltwater Bay Boat Series. New models for ’09 include Skeeter's redesigned i-Class Series, its WX1950 and WX2000T, SL1900 and ZX2250 bay boat.

E-TEC WARRANTY

To celebrate Evinrude’s 100th Anniversary, parent company Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) is offering a five-year limited warranty and special consumer financing on Evinrude E-Tec outboards. The promotion is available through authorized Evinrude dealerships until April 15. The warranty includes a three-year BRP factory warranty and two additional years of B.E.S.T. (BRP Extended Service Terms). Special financing is available on entire boat/engine packages or loose engines purchased for repower.

Customers who pick up an eligible loose engine during the program may select one of two additional options: an I-Command Digital package (which retails for about $1186) or a down payment rebate of up to $300, depending on horsepower. The promotion is valid for new, unused 2009 model year and earlier engines 40 horsepower and above. To learn more, visit evinrude.com.

TRACKER SAVINGS

Tracker Marine (trackermarine.com) is offering a number of deals that run through April 15. With the purchase of a qualifying 2009 boat, engine and trailer package, Tracker will give up to a $1000 Bass Pro Shops gift card. For older boats, Tracker will provide savings up to $1000 on selected 2008 and prior year new boat, engine and trailer packages from dealer in-stock inventory. In addition, the company is offering special pricing on certain models and engine upgrades.

YAMAHA CREDIT

Yamaha Outboards (yamaha-motor.com) announced two new deals recently: “Repower Now” and “Two Ways to Save” promotions.

“Repower Now” offers two options. The first is a credit based on eligible outboard horsepower. The credit is available at no extra cost to the customer and can be used toward the purchase of Yamaha rigging components or dealer installation labor available at the dealer that sold the outboard.

The second option is called “Zero Zero” financing. With approved credit, customers will be eligible for no finance charges and no payments until January 1, 2010. This option is only applicable for eligible outboards sold for repower on a used boat by authorized participating dealers. Eligible outboards must be sold between January 1 and March 31, 2009.

“Two Ways to Save” offers either a 36-month Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.) contract for eligible outboards or a consumer credit based on MSRP toward the purchase of goods and/or services available at the authorized participating Yamaha Outboard Dealer that sold the outboard. “Two Ways to Save” also runs until March 31.

HONDA FINANCING

Honda Marine (honda-marine.com) will offer special re-power financing rates as low as 4.99 percent APR on 2 through 225 hp Honda outboards until March 2.

Honda will also offer the option of deferring payments for 90 days while accruing zero interest for the first 60 days. Customers wishing to finance complete boat, motor and trailer packages have the option to do so at rates starting as low as 6.99 percent. All of this is in addition to Honda's 5-year, factory-backed, non-declining limited warranty.

MORE COVERAGE FROM TOHATSU

Tohatsu is offering extended five-year limited warranties on new 2008-2009 model year engines, ranging from 25 hp to 115 hp, until April 15.

The warranty will extend the third year coverage from Tohatsu’s standard warranty and will cover the power head, exhaust system, bracket assembly, power trim and tilt assembly, fuel and oil pump assembly, lower unit assembly, and ignition systems. On TLDI Direct Injection models, coverage will also include any TLDI-related components.

Motors must be registered by April 30, and motors used in commercial,government, guide or racing applications are not eligible. For more information, go to tohatsu.com.