BLACK THUNDER - FOR SALE

[jeffbare]

Posted on March 01, 2011

The owner of Black Thunder Powerboats is selling the company and hoping that some "young blood" can come in and keep the nearly 25-year-old manufacturer going.

"It's just age, more than anything. It's going to take a fight to get it going again," Don Jenkins, 78, told Soundings Trade Only. "I was at the Miami show and it seemed that there were a lot of people there and everybody still wants a boat and it looks like it's going to turn around now and start going back the other way.

"It's really disappointing," he said of the decision to sell. "If you could take 20 years off my life, there'd be no way I'd sell it. Sometimes age gets you and there's nothing you can do about that."

Jenkins said the Hannibal, Mo.-based, family-owned company shipped its last boat about 30 days ago and is no longer in production. At one time, he said, Black Thunder Powerboats did more than $6 million in sales annually.

The company prides itself on being a custom builder, adding on its website, "No two Black Thunders are alike, your boat is as original as your ideas."

The new owners, Jenkins hopes, will be go-fast enthusiasts who will "build it even bigger than we have."

The company's website says the company's logo, which it calls a prime asset, the clothing lines, the tooling and the molds are included in the $950,000 asking price.

Also, the 13,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is leasable for $3,500 a month, with an additional 40,000-square-foot building possibly available.

The site mentions "very capable and trusted employees that ... would be a very important asset to continue the business," although it adds that the molds and equipment can be moved to another U.S. location or shipped overseas.

"It's not a business that should end. It's a business that some young blood should get in and move on with," Jenkins said. "It's a wonderful business."

For information, call (573) 795-2222.

— Beth Rosenberg

[drpete3]

Write them a check Tracy

[mrbuttonhead]

We offered 450k. Well see if that buys it

[Donskihp]

I hope someone gets it, it would be sad to loose another good company

[rschap1]

Hopefully someone will "freshen" it up, as said.
It would be a tradegy they just go away

[Gladhe8er]

Hopefully someone snatches it up and continues to build the big 43 and 46 footers. If that is successful, they should start to think about offering some smaller models in the 37-40 range.

[mrbuttonhead]

Redoing the 46 hull.redoing the 36 hull I
f we buy it

[Coolerman]

Redoing the 46 hull.redoing the 36 hull I
f we buy it

Hey Darr, BT never made a 36' boat.

[Coolerman]

FYI, I was just in contact with Carol Jenkins (Don's wife), and they have not recieved any offers for $450k as mentioned earlier this thread.

[mrbuttonhead]

I meant 32. Lawyer is writingcontra t up this week. We are in florida still

[endeavor1]

I meant 32. Lawyer is writingcontra t up this week. We are in florida still

Your full of ****!

[Coolerman]

I meant 32. Lawyer is writingcontra t up this week. We are in florida still

Jim, I talked to Carol and they have never spoken with you.

[Gladhe8er]

Jim, I talked to Carol and they have never spoken with you.

hahah! Oh man...

[mrbuttonhead]

Don't recall saying that I spoke with them. Is there a problem with making an offer?

[Coolerman]

We offered 450k. Well see if that buys it

Don't recall saying that I spoke with them.

You said you made an offer, but now you are saying that you didn't? Jim, you really need to stop this behavior bud. You have gotten way out of hand.

[endeavor1]

LMFAO!!!!! BAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA



Come on Jim, spill the beans. Who is "we"?

[MacGyver]

I thought BS offers were only on OSO

[Admin]

Bye Jim.

[Nevr2nd]

Anyone got a few bucks I could borrow??? LOL.

[BDARCHER]

Bye Jim.

Thank You