Marine
Sea Ray Express Cruisers Awarded Prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Award for the Fourth Time in a Row
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb 28, 2006 – As announced at this year's Miami Boat Show, Sea Ray
Boats received the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction
with Express Cruisers” for the fourth time in a row. Since the Express Cruiser category's inception in the
annual Boat Competitive Information Study in 2002, Sea Ray has received the award each consecutive
year.
“Being recognized in the Express Cruisers category four times in a row is a tremendous honor,”
said Rick Stone, president of Sea Ray. “We are thrilled to have achieved this distinction, but we are not
resting on our laurels. We will continue to work hard towards implementing quality initiatives throughout
Sea Ray.”
For the purpose of this study, Express Cruisers were defined as cruising-style family boats from
24 to 33 feet, with sleeping, galley/cooking, and head/toilet amenities. Sea Ray was recognized for high
levels of customer satisfaction in design and styling, sound system, maintenance, cabin, engine and
propulsion, ride and handling and helm and instrument panel. According to J.D. Power and Associates,
Sea Ray received particularly high ratings in product quality, with the fewest reported problems, as well
as owner loyalty to the boat brand and to the dealers, and in dealer and sales service.
The new findings also indicated that Sea Ray owners were the most confident that the company
would stand behind its products, and that the Sea Ray brand name is the strongest in the express cruiser
segment. This year, while most of the other boat brands declined slightly in product satisfaction,
Sea Ray's ratings actually improved, staying true to the company's commitment to excellence and
customer satisfaction. “It's not just about maintaining our current position,” said Stone, “It's about listening
to what our customers say and acting on it. When you actually listen to your customers, the rest falls into
place naturally.”
For Sea Ray, the true value of the survey is the important research data received by participating
in the study. In the pursuit of customer enthusiasm, Sea Ray uses these findings to continue to enhance
manufacturing, production, customer service, sales and service systems, which support the entire boat
line from sport boats to high-end yachts.
Mr. Stone added, “Everything we do, from winning the five National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA) awards for customer satisfaction, to creating the very first owners club in the marine
industry, is a testament to our focus on making Sea Ray an integral and important part of a boater's life.
People buy our boats because we fit their lifestyle and we do so with style, grace, and elegance, as well
as commitment to quality and ease of use. In essence, we make boating easy for our customers, that's
why they come back and trade up to another Sea Ray. Our dealers do a terrific job in assisting us with
that effort. The J.D. Power and Associates study points to the importance of dealers and manufacturers
working together to meet customer expectations for both product quality and service.”
“Sea Ray works closely with all of our dealers through the Master Dealer, Ambassador, and
Sea Ray Owner programs,” Stone explained. “We believe this effort is without equal in the boating
industry. These programs are designed to deliver higher customer satisfaction, not only with the product,
but also with the entire buying and ownership experience.” Sea Ray's Master Dealer Program, now in its
ninth year, is recognized as the first standards-based program in the industry. Designed to recognize
Sea Ray dealers who operate world-class retail and service facilities, the Master Dealer Program provides
an objective third-party review of participating dealerships against 200 specific operational criteria
identified through research into the best practices of Sea Ray dealerships and other retail and service
operations.
About Sea Ray:
Founded in 1959, Sea Ray is the world's largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats.
Sea Ray is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and operates as part of the Boat Group division of
Brunswick Corporation. With more than 40 models ranging from 17 to 68 feet, Sea Ray makes a boat for
every lifestyle — each built with a unique commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and excellence
throughout. Additional information about Sea Ray is available at www.searay.com
For More Information Contact:
Chris Helton
Sea Ray Boats
2600 Sea Ray Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 971-6585
chelton@searay.com
