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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Form 10-K

Commission File Number 1-14173

MarineMax, Inc.

18167 U.S. Highway North

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes þ          No o

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     þ

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes þ          No o

      The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant (7,929,937 shares) based on the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on March 28, 2002, which was the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $95,159,244. For purposes of this computation, all officers, directors, and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed to be an admission that such officers, directors, or 10% beneficial owners are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.

      As of November 29, 2002, there were outstanding 15,310,599 shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

      Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

MARINEMAX, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

      The statements contained in this report on Form 10-K that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our “expectations,” “anticipation,” “intentions,” “beliefs,” or “strategies” regarding the future. Forward-looking statements relating to our future economic performance, plans and objectives for future operations, and projections of revenue and other financial items that are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including those discussed in Item 1, “Special Considerations.”

PART I

Item 1.     Business

Introduction

Our Company

      We are the largest recreational boat dealer in the United States. Through 59 retail locations in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah, we sell new and used recreational boats, including pleasure boats (such as sport boats, sport cruisers, sport yachts, and yachts), ski boats, and fishing boats, with a focus on premium brands in each segment. We also sell related marine products, including engines, trailers, parts, and accessories. In addition, we arrange related boat financing, insurance, and extended service contracts; provide repair and maintenance services; and offer boat and yacht brokerage services.

      We are the nation’s largest retailer of Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Meridian, and Hatteras recreational boats and yachts. Sales of new Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, and Hatteras recreational boats and yachts, each of which is manufactured by Brunswick Corporation, accounted for approximately 65% of our revenue in fiscal 2002. Brunswick is the world’s largest manufacturer of marine products and marine engines. We believe our sales represented in excess of 11% of all Brunswick marine sales, including approximately 33% of its new Sea Ray boat sales, during our 2002 fiscal year. Each of our principal operating subsidiaries is a party to a dealer agreement with Brunswick covering Sea Ray products and is the exclusive dealer of Sea Ray boats in its geographic market. We also have the right to sell Hatteras Yachts throughout the state of Florida (excluding the Florida Panhandle) and the state of Texas, as well as the distribution rights for Hatteras products over 82 feet for North and South America, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. In August 2002, we were awarded the Meridian Yacht distribution rights in most of our geographic markets, excluding California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.

      We commenced operations as a result of the March 1, 1998 acquisition of five previously independent recreational boat dealers and have acquired 13 additional previously independent recreational boat dealers, two boat brokerage operations, and a full-service yacht repair operation since that time. We are capitalizing on the experience and success of the acquired companies in order to establish a new national standard of customer service and responsiveness in the highly fragmented retail boating industry. While we believe the average new boat retailer generates less than $3.0 million in annual sales, our retail locations, which operated at least 12 months, averaged $12 million in annual sales in fiscal 2002. As a result of our emphasis on premium brand boats, our average selling price for a new boat in fiscal 2002 was approximately $85,000 compared to the estimated industry average selling price of approximately $24,000. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, we had revenue of approximately $541.0 million, operating income of approximately $29.0 million, and net income of approximately $17.1 million. Our same-store sales increased an average of 10% for the last five years, including a decline of 9% in fiscal 2001.

      We are adopting the best practices of our acquired companies as appropriate to enhance our ability to attract more customers, foster an overall enjoyable boating experience, and offer boat manufacturers stable and professional retail distribution and a broad geographic presence. We believe that our full range of services, MarineMax Value-Price sales approach, prime retail locations, extensive facilities, strong management and team members, and emphasis on customer service and satisfaction before and after a boat sale are competitive advantages that enable us to be more responsive to the needs of existing and prospective customers.

      The total U.S. recreational boating industry generated approximately $25.6 billion in retail sales in calendar 2001, including sales of new and used boats; marine products, such as engines, trailers, equipment, and accessories; and related expenditures, such as fuel, insurance, docking, storage, and repairs. Retail sales of new boats, engines, trailers, and accessories accounted for approximately $11.3 billion of these sales in 2001. We estimate that the boat retailing industry includes more than 5,000 boat retailers, most of which are small retailers that operate in a single market and provide varying degrees of merchandising, professional management, and customer service. We believe that many dealers are finding it increasingly difficult to make

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      We maintain our executive offices at 18167 U.S. 19 North, Suite 499, Clearwater, Florida 33764, and our telephone number is (727) 531-1700. We were incorporated in the state of Delaware in January 1998. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “MarineMax” mean MarineMax, Inc. prior to its acquisition of five previously independent recreational boat dealers in March 1998 (including their related real estate companies) and all references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean, as a combined company, MarineMax, Inc. and the 18 recreational boat dealers, two boat brokerage operations, and one full-service yacht repair operation acquired to date (the “acquired dealers,” and together with the brokerage and repair operations, “operating subsidiaries” or the “acquired companies”).

      Our website is located at www.marinemax.com. Through our website, we make available free of charge our annual reports on Form 10-K, our proxy statement, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Strategy

      Our goal is to enhance our position as the nation’s leading retailer of recreational boats. Key elements of our operating and growth strategies include the following:

	•	emphasizing customer satisfaction and loyalty by creating an overall enjoyable boating experience beginning with a negotiation-free purchase process, superior service, and premier facilities;
	•	implementing the “best practices” of our acquired dealers as appropriate throughout our dealerships;
	•	achieving efficiencies and synergies among our operations to enhance internal growth and profitability;
	•	emphasizing employee training and development;
	•	opening additional retail facilities in our existing and new territories;
	•	offering additional product lines and services;
	•	pursuing strategic acquisitions to capitalize upon the significant consolidation opportunities in the highly fragmented recreational boat dealer industry by acquiring additional dealers and related operations and improving their performance and profitability through the implementation of our operating strategies;
	•	expanding our Internet retail operations and marketing;
	•	promoting national brand name recognition and the MarineMax connection;
	•	operating with a decentralized approach to the operational management of our dealerships; and
	•	utilizing technology throughout operations.

Development of the Company; Acquisitions

      MarineMax was founded in January 1998. MarineMax itself, however, conducted no operations until the acquisition of five independent recreational boat dealers on March 1, 1998. We acquired a sixth recreational boat dealer in April 1998. Since our initial public offering in June 1998, we have acquired 12 additional recreational boat dealers, two boat brokerage operations, and a full-service yacht repair operation.

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      Each of our acquired dealers is continuing its operations under the MarineMax name as a wholly owned operating subsidiary of our company. The following table sets forth information regarding the acquired companies and their geographic regions.

      In October 1998, we received the Hatteras Yachts dealership for the state of Florida, excluding certain portions of the Florida Panhandle, and became the distributor for Hatteras products over 82 feet for North and South American, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. In October 2001, we received the Hatteras Yachts dealership for the state of Texas.

      As a part of our acquisition strategy, we frequently engage in discussions with various recreational boat dealers regarding their potential acquisition by us. In connection with these discussions, we and each potential acquisition candidate exchange confidential operational and financial information, conduct due diligence inquiries, and consider the structure, terms, and conditions of the potential acquisition. In certain cases, the prospective acquisition candidate agrees not to discuss a potential acquisition with any other party for a specific period of time, grants us an option to purchase the prospective dealer for a designated price during a specific time, and agrees to take other actions designed to enhance the possibility of the acquisition, such as preparing audited financial information and converting its accounting system to the system specified by us. Potential acquisition discussions frequently take place over a long period of time and involve difficult business integration and other issues, including in some cases, management succession and related matters. As a result of these and other factors, a number of potential acquisitions that from time to time appear likely to occur do not result in binding legal agreements and are not consummated.

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BUSINESS

General

      We are the largest recreational boat dealer in the United States. Through 59 retail locations in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah, we sell new and used recreational boats, including pleasure boats (such as sport boats, sport cruisers, sport yachts, and yachts) ski boats, and fishing boats, with a focus on premium brands in each segment. We also sell related marine products, including engines, trailers, parts, and accessories. In addition, we arrange related boat and yacht financing, insurance, and extended service contracts; provide repair and maintenance services; and offer boat and yacht brokerage services.

      We are the nation’s largest retailer of Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Meridian, and Hatteras recreational boats and yachts. Sales of new Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Meridian, and Hatteras recreational boats and yachts, each of which is manufactured by Brunswick Corporation, accounted for approximately 65%, of our revenue in fiscal 2002. Brunswick is the world’s largest manufacturer of marine products and marine engines. We believe our sales represented in excess of 11% of all Brunswick marine sales, including approximately 33% of its new Sea Ray boat sales, during our 2002 fiscal year. Each of our principal operating subsidiaries is a party to a dealer agreement with Brunswick covering Sea Ray products and is the exclusive dealer of Sea Ray boats in its geographic market. We also have the right to sell Hatteras Yachts throughout the state of Florida (excluding the Florida Panhandle) and the state of Texas, as well as the distribution rights for Hatteras products over 82 feet for North and South America, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. In August 2002, we were awarded the Meridian Yacht distribution rights to most of our geographic markets, excluding California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.

U.S. Recreational Boating Industry

      We believe that total U.S. recreational boating industry generated $25.6 billion in revenue in calendar 2001, including retail sales of new and used recreational boats; marine products, such as engines, trailers, parts, and accessories; and related boating expenditures, such as fuel, insurance, docking, storage, and repairs. We believe that retail sales of new boats, engines, trailers, and accessories accounted for approximately $11.3 billion of such sales in 2001. Total U.S. recreational boating industry sales were $17.9 billion in the late 1980s, but declined to a low of $10.3 billion in 1992. We believe this decline can be attributed to several factors, including a recession, the Gulf War, and the imposition throughout 1991 and 1992 of a luxury tax on boats sold at prices in excess of $100,000. The luxury tax was repealed in 1993, and retail recreational boating sales have increased each year thereafter through 2001.

      Sales in the recreational boat industry are impacted significantly by other recreational opportunities; economic factors, including general economic conditions, consumer income and wealth levels, tax law changes, and fuel prices; and demographics. The share of recreational dollars that U.S. consumers spend on boating declined from 3.1% in 1988, the boating industry’s peak year, to 2.0% in 1996. We believe that the decline in boating is attributable to poor customer service throughout the industry, lack of boater education, and the perception that boating is time consuming, costly, and difficult.

      Most of our consumers are in the 35 to 54 age group. Although this age group accounts for approximately 30% of the U.S. population over age 16, they account for over 50% of discretionary income and represent the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.

      The recreational boat retail market remains highly fragmented with little consolidation having occurred to date. We estimate that the boat retailing industry includes more than 5,000 boat retailers, most of which are small companies owned by individuals that operate in a single market, have annual sales of less than $3.0 million, and provide varying degrees of merchandising, professional management, and customer service. We believe that many of these retailers are encountering increased pressure from boat manufacturers to improve their levels of service and systems, increased competition from larger national retailers in certain product lines, and, in certain cases, business succession issues.

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Strategy

      Our goal is to enhance our position as the nation’s leading operator of recreational boat dealerships. Key elements of our strategies include the following:

      Emphasizing Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty. We seek to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction and establish long-term customer loyalty by creating an overall enjoyable boating experience beginning with a negotiation-free purchase process. We further enhance and simplify the purchase process by helping to arrange financing and insurance at our retail locations with competitive terms and streamlined turnaround. We offer the customer a thorough in-water orientation of boat operations where available, as well as ongoing boat safety, maintenance, and use seminars and demonstrations for the customer’s entire family. We also continue our customer service after the sale by leading and sponsoring MarineMax Getaways! group boating trips to various destinations, rendezvous gatherings, and on-the-water organized events to provide our customers with pre-arranged opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of the boating lifestyle. We also endeavor to provide superior maintenance and repair services, often through mobile service at the customer’s wet slip and with extended service department hours and emergency service availability, that minimize the hassles of boat maintenance.

      Implementing Best Practices. We implement the “best practices” of our acquired dealers as appropriate throughout our dealerships. As an example, we have implemented the MarineMax Value-Price sales approach at each of our dealerships. Under the MarineMax Value-Price approach, we sell our boats at posted prices, generally representing a discount from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, thereby eliminating the anxieties of price negotiations that occur in most boat purchases. In addition, we adopt, where beneficial, the best practices of our acquired dealers in terms of location design and layout, product purchases, maintenance and repair services (including extended service hours and mobile or dockside services), product mix, employee training, and customer education and services.

      Achieving Operating Efficiencies and Synergies. We strive to increase the operating efficiencies of and achieve certain synergies among our dealerships in order to enhance internal growth and profitability. We centralize at the corporate level certain administrative functions such as accounting, finance, insurance coverage, employee benefits, marketing, strategic planning, legal support, purchasing and distribution, and management information systems. Centralization of these functions reduces duplicative expenses and permits the dealerships to benefit from a level of scale and expertise that would otherwise be unavailable to each dealership individually. We also seek to realize cost savings from reduced inventory carrying costs as a result of purchasing boat inventories on a national level and directing boats to dealership locations that can more readily sell such boats; lower financing costs through our credit facilities; and volume purchase discounts and rebates for certain marine products, supplies, and advertising. The ability of our retail locations to offer the complementary services of our other retail locations, such as offering customer excursion opportunities, providing maintenance and repair services at the customer’s boat location, and giving access to a larger inventory, increases the competitiveness of each retail location. By centralizing these types of activities, our store managers have more time to focus on the customer and the development of their teams.

      Emphasizing Employee Training and Development. To promote continued internal growth, we devote substantial efforts to train our employees to understand our core retail philosophies, which focus on making the purchase of a boat and its subsequent use as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible. Through our MarineMax University, or MMU, we teach our retail philosophies to existing and new employees at various locations and online, through MMU-online. MMU is a modularized and instructor-led educational program that focuses on our retailing philosophies and provides instruction on such matters as the sales process, customer service, F&I, accounting, leadership, and human resources.

      Opening New Facilities. We intend to continue to establish additional retail facilities in our existing and new territories. We believe that the demographics of our existing geographic territories support the opening of additional facilities, and we have opened 13 new retail facilities, excluding those opened on a temporary basis for a specific purpose, since our formation in January 1998. We also plan to reach new customers by expanding various innovative retail formats developed by us, such as mall stores and floating retail facilities. Our mall store concept is unique to the boating industry and is designed to draw mall traffic, thereby providing exposure

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      Offering Additional Product Lines and Services. We plan to continue to offer additional product lines and services throughout our dealerships or, when appropriate, in selected dealerships. We are offering throughout our dealerships product lines that previously have been offered only at certain of our locations. We also may obtain additional product lines through the acquisition of distribution rights directly from manufacturers and the acquisition of dealerships with distribution rights. For example, we added the Boston Whaler product line in fiscal 1997; Hatteras, Supra, and Azimut product lines in fiscal 1999; Sport-Craft product lines in fiscal 2000; and Sea Hunt and MB Sports product lines in fiscal 2001. We added Meridian Yachts and Grady White and expanded our Hatteras Yachts and Tracker Marine relationship in fiscal 2002. In addition, in fiscal 2002, we increased our used boat sales and yacht brokerage services through an increased emphasis on these activities, cooperative efforts among our dealerships, and the use of the Internet. We also plan to offer enhanced financing programs designed to better serve customers and thereby increase sales and improve profitability.

      Pursuing Strategic Acquisitions. We capitalize upon the significant consolidation opportunities available in the highly fragmented recreational boat dealer industry by acquiring independent dealers and improving their performance and profitability through the implementation of our operating strategies. The primary acquisition focus is on well-established, high-end recreational boat dealers in geographic markets not currently served by us, particularly geographic markets with strong boating demographics, such as areas within the coastal states and the Great Lakes region. We also may seek to acquire boat dealers that, while located in attractive geographic markets, have not been able to realize favorable market share or profitability and that can benefit substantially from our systems and operating strategies. We may expand our range of product lines, service offerings, and market penetration by acquiring companies that distribute recreational boat product lines or boating-related services different from those we currently offer. As a result of the considerable industry experience and relationships of our management team, we believe we are well positioned to identify and evaluate acquisition candidates and assess their growth prospects, the quality of their management teams, their local reputation with customers, and the suitability of their locations. We believe we are regarded as an attractive acquiror by boat dealers because of (1) the historical performance and the experience and reputation of our management team within the industry; (2) our decentralized operating strategy, which generally enables the managers of an acquired dealer to continue their involvement in dealership operations; (3) the ability of management and employees of an acquired dealer to participate in our growth and expansion through potential stock ownership and career advancement opportunities; and (4) the ability to offer liquidity to the owners of acquired dealers through the receipt of common stock or cash. Brunswick has agreed to cooperate in good faith with us and not to unreasonably withhold its consent to the acquisition by us each year of Sea Ray boat dealers with aggregate total revenue not exceeding 20% of our revenue in our prior fiscal year to the extent such Sea Ray dealers desire to be acquired by us and subject to the maximum purchase restrictions as further described in “Business — Brunswick Agreement Relating to Acquisitions.”

      Utilization of the Internet. Our web initiative, MarineMax.com, provides customers with the ability to learn more about our company and our products. Our website generates direct sales and provides our stores leads to potential customers for new and used boats and brokerage services. We also plan to expand our ability to offer financing and parts and accessories on our website.

      Promoting Brand Name Recognition and the MarineMax Connection. We are promoting our brand name recognition to take advantage of our status as the nation’s only coast-to-coast marine retailer. This strategy also recognizes that many existing and potential customers who reside in Northern markets and vacation for substantial periods in Southern markets will prefer to purchase and service their boats from the same well-known company. We refer to this strategy as the “MarineMax Connection.” As a result, our

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      Operating with Decentralized Management. We maintain a generally decentralized approach to the operational management of our dealerships. The decentralized management approach takes advantage of the extensive experience of local managers, enabling them to implement policies and make decisions, including the appropriate product mix, based on the needs of the local market. Local management authority also fosters responsive customer service and promotes long-term community and customer relationships. In addition, the centralization of certain administrative functions at the corporate level enhances the ability of local managers to focus their efforts on day-to-day dealership operations and the customers.

      Utilizing Technology Throughout Operations. We believe that our management information system, which currently is being utilized by each operating subsidiary and was developed over a number of years through cooperative efforts with a common vendor, enhances our ability to integrate successfully the operations of our operating subsidiaries and future acquired dealers. The system facilitates the interchange of information and enhances cross-selling opportunities throughout our company. The system integrates each level of operations on a company-wide basis, including purchasing, inventory, receivables, financial reporting, budgeting, and sales management. The system also provides sales representatives with prospect and customer information that aids them in tracking the status of their contacts with prospects, automatically generates follow-up correspondence to such prospects, facilitates the availability of a particular boat company-wide, locates boats needed to satisfy a particular customer request, and monitors the maintenance and service needs of customers’ boats. Our representatives also utilize the computer system to assist in arranging customer financing and insurance packages. Our managers use a web-based tool to access essentially all financial and operational data from anywhere at any time.

Products and Services

      We offer new and used recreational boats and related marine products, including engines, trailers, parts, and accessories. While we sell a broad range of new and used boats, we focus on premium brand products. In addition, we assist in arranging related boat financing, insurance, and extended service contracts; provide boat maintenance and repair services; and offer boat brokerage services.

      We primarily sell recreational boats, including pleasure boats (such as sport boats, sport cruisers, sport yachts, and yachts) and fishing boats. The principal products we offer are manufactured by Brunswick, the leading worldwide manufacturer of recreational boats, including Sea Ray pleasure boats, Boston Whaler fishing boats, Meridian Yachts, and Hatteras Yachts. In fiscal 2002, approximately 65% of our revenue was derived from the sale of new boats manufactured by Brunswick. We believe that we represent approximately 33% of Sea Ray’s new boat sales and are in excess of 11% of all of Brunswick’s marine product sales during that period. Certain of our dealerships also sell luxury yachts, fishing boats, ski boats, and pontoon boats provided by other manufacturers. During fiscal 2002, new boat sales accounted for approximately 68% of our revenue.

      We offer recreational boats in most market segments, but have a particular focus on premium quality pleasure boats and yachts as reflected by our fiscal 2002 average new boat sales price of approximately $85,000 compared with our estimated industry average selling price of approximately $24,000. Given our locations in some of the more affluent, offshore boating areas in the United States and emphasis on high levels of customer service, we sell a relatively higher percentage of large recreational boats, such as yachts and sport cruisers. We believe that the product lines we offer are among the highest quality within their respective market segments, with well-established trade-name recognition and reputations for quality, performance, and styling.

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      The following table is illustrative of the range of new boats that we offer but is not all inclusive:

      Motor Yachts and Convertibles. Hatteras Yachts is one of the world’s premier yacht builders. The Hatteras fleet is one of the most extensive serving the luxury megayacht segment of the market, with configurations for cruising and sport fishing. All Hatteras models include state-of-the-art designs with live-aboard luxury. The motor yacht series, ranging from 63 feet to over 100 feet, offers a flybridge with extensive guest seating; covered aft deck, which may be fully or partially enclosed, providing the boater with additional living space; an elegant salon; and multiple staterooms for accommodations. The convertibles are primarily fishing vessels, which are well equipped to meet the needs of even the most serious tournament-class competitor. Ranging from 50 feet to 90 feet, Hatteras convertibles feature interiors that offer luxurious salon/galley arrangements, multiple staterooms with private heads, and a cockpit that includes a bait and tackle center, fishbox, and freezer.

      Pleasure Boats. Sea Ray pleasure boats target both the luxury and the family recreational boating markets. Sea Ray sport yachts and yachts serve the luxury segment of the recreational boating market and include top-of-the-line living accommodations with a salon, a fully equipped galley, and multiple staterooms. The sport yachts and yachts come in a variety of configurations, including aft cabin, bridge cockpit, and express cruiser models, to suit each customer’s particular recreational boating style. Sea Ray sport boat and sport cruiser models are designed for performance and dependability to meet family recreational needs and include many of the features and accommodations of Sea Ray’s sport yacht and yacht models. All Sea Ray pleasure boats feature custom instrumentation that may include an electronics package; various hull, deck, and cockpit designs that can include a swim platform, bow pulpit, and raised bridge; and various amenities, such as swivel bucket helm seats, lounge seats, sun pads, wet bars, built-in ice chests, and refreshment centers. Most Sea Ray pleasure boats feature Mercury or MerCruiser engines.

      Fishing Boats. The fishing boats we offer range from entry level models to advanced models designed for fishing and water sports in lakes, bays, and off-shore waters, with cabins with limited live-aboard capability. The fishing boats typically feature livewells, in-deck fishboxes, splash-well gates with rodholders, rigging stations, cockpit coaming pads, and fresh and saltwater washdowns.

      We sell used versions of the new makes and models we offer and, to a lesser extent, used boats of other makes and models generally taken as trade-ins. Approximately 75% of the used boats we sold in fiscal 2002 were Brunswick models.

      Our used boat sales depend on our ability to source a supply of high-quality used boats at attractive prices. We acquire substantially all of our used boats through customer trade-ins. We intend to increase our used boat business as a result of the increased availability of quality used boats generated from our acquisition of used boats in our expanding sales efforts, the increasing number of used boats that are well-maintained through our service initiatives, our ability to market used boats throughout our combined dealership network

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      At most of our retail locations, we offer the Sea Ray Legacy™warranty plan available for used Sea Ray boats less than six years old. The Legacy plan applies to each qualifying used Sea Ray boat, which has passed a 48-point inspection, and provides protection against failure of most mechanical parts for up to three years. We believe that the Sea Ray Legacy warranty plan, which is only available for used Sea Ray boats purchased from a Sea Ray dealer, will enhance our sales of used Sea Ray boats by motivating purchasers of used Sea Ray boats to purchase only from a Sea Ray dealer and motivating sellers of Sea Ray boats to sell through a Sea Ray dealer.

      We offer marine engines and propellers, substantially all of which are manufactured by Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick. We sell marine engines and propellers primarily to retail customers as replacements for their existing engines or propellers. Mercury Marine has introduced various new engine models that reduce engine emissions to comply with current Environmental Protection Agency requirements. See “Business — Environmental and Other Regulatory Issues.” An industry leader for almost six decades, Mercury Marine specializes in state-of-the-art marine propulsion systems and accessories. Many of our operating subsidiaries have been recognized by Mercury Marine as “Platinum Dealers.” This designation is generally awarded based on meeting certain standards and qualifications.

      We also sell related marine parts and accessories, including oils, lubricants, steering and control systems, corrosion control products, engine care and service products (primarily Mercury Marine’s Quicksilver line); Kiekhaefer high-performance accessories (such as propellers) and instruments; and a complete line of boating accessories, including life jackets, inflatables, and wakeboards. We also offer novelty items, such as shirts, caps, and floormats bearing the manufacturer’s or dealer’s logo.

      Providing customers with professional, prompt maintenance and repair services is critical to our sales efforts and contributes to our profitability. We provide maintenance and repair services at most of our retail locations, with extended service hours at certain of our locations. In addition, in many of our markets, we provide mobile maintenance and repair services at the location of the customer’s boat. We believe that this service commitment is a competitive advantage in the markets in which we compete and is critical to our efforts to provide a trouble-free boating experience. We also believe that our maintenance and repair services contribute to strong customer relationships and that our emphasis on preventative maintenance and quality service increases the potential supply of well-maintained boats for our used boat sales.

      We perform both warranty and non-warranty repair services, with the cost of warranty work reimbursed by the manufacturer in accordance with the manufacturer’s warranty reimbursement program. For warranty work, Brunswick reimburses a percentage of the dealer’s posted service labor rates, with the percentage varying depending on the dealer’s customer satisfaction index rating and attendance at service training courses. We derive the majority of our warranty revenue from Brunswick products, as Brunswick products comprise the majority of products sold. Certain other manufacturers reimburse warranty work at a fixed amount per repair. Because boat manufacturers permit warranty work to be performed only at authorized dealerships, we receive substantially all of the warranted maintenance and repair work required for the new boats we sell. The third-party extended warranty contracts we offer also result in an ongoing demand for our maintenance and repair services for the duration of the term of the extended warranty contract.

      Our maintenance and repair services are performed by manufacturer-trained and certified service technicians. In charging for our mechanics’ labor, many of our dealerships use a variable rate structure designed to reflect the difficulty and sophistication of different types of repairs. The percentage markups on parts are similarly based on market conditions for different parts.

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      At each of our retail locations, we offer our customers the ability to finance new or used boat purchases and to purchase extended service contracts and insurance coverage, including credit-life, accident disability coverage, and boat property and casualty coverage (collectively, “F&I”). During fiscal 2002, fee income generated from F&I products accounted for approximately 3.0% of our revenue. We believe that our customers’ ability to obtain competitive financing quickly and easily at our dealerships complements our ability to sell new and used boats. We also believe our ability to provide customer-tailored financing on a “same-day” basis gives us an advantage over many of our competitors, particularly smaller competitors that lack the resources to arrange boat financing at their dealerships or that do not generate sufficient volume to attract the diversity of financing sources that are available to us.

      We have relationships with various national marine product lenders under which the lenders purchase retail installment contracts evidencing retail sales of boats and other marine products that are originated by us in accordance with existing pre-sale agreements between us and the lenders. These arrangements permit us to receive a portion of the finance charges expected to be earned on the retail installment contract based on a variety of factors, including the credit standing of the buyer, the annual percentage rate of the contract charged to the buyer, and the lender’s then current minimum required annual percentage rate charged to the buyer on the contract. This participation is subject to repayment by us if the buyer prepays the contract or defaults within a designated time period, usually 90 to 180 days. To the extent required by applicable state law, our dealerships are licensed to originate and sell retail installment contracts financing the sale of boats and other marine products.

      We also are able to offer our customers the opportunity to purchase credit life insurance, credit accident and disability insurance, as well as property and casualty insurance coverage. Credit life insurance policies provide for repayment of the boat financing contract if the purchaser dies while the contract is outstanding. Accident and disability insurance policies provide for payment of the monthly contract obligation during any period in which the buyer is disabled. Property and casualty insurance covers loss or damage to the boat. We do not act as an insurance broker or agent or issue insurance policies on behalf of insurers. We, however, provide marketing activities and other related services to insurance companies and brokers for which we receive marketing fees. One of our strategies is to generate increased marketing fees by offering more competitive insurance products.

      We also offer extended service contracts under which, for a predetermined price, we provide all designated services pursuant to the service contract guidelines during the contract term at no additional charge above a deductible. While we sell all new boats with the boat manufacturer’s standard hull warranty of generally five years and standard engine warranty of generally one year, extended service contracts provide additional coverage beyond the time frame or scope of the manufacturer’s warranty. Purchasers of used boats generally are able to purchase an extended service contract, even if the selected boat is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Generally, we receive a fee for arranging an extended service contract. Most required services under the contracts are provided by us and paid for by the third-party contract holder.

      Through employees or subsidiaries that are licensed boat or yacht brokers, we offer boat or yacht brokerage services at most of our retail locations. For a commission, we offer for sale brokered boats or yachts, listing them on the “BUC” system, and advising our other retail locations of their availability through our integrated computer system and posting them on our web site, www.MarineMax.com. The BUC system, which is similar to a real estate multiple listing service, is a national boat or yacht listing service of approximately 900 brokers maintained by BUC International. Often sales are co-brokered, with the commission split between the buying and selling brokers. We believe that our access to potential used boat customers and methods of listing and advertising customers’ brokered boats or yachts is more extensive than is typical among brokers. In addition to generating revenue from brokerage commissions, our brokerage services also enable us to offer a broad array of used boats or yachts without increasing related inventory costs.

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      Our brokerage customers generally receive the same high level of customer service as our new and used boat customers. Our waterfront retail locations enable in-water demonstrations of an on-site brokered boat. Our maintenance and repair services, including mobile service, also is generally available to our brokerage customers. The purchaser of a Sea Ray boat brokered through us also can take advantage of MarineMax Getaways! weekend and day trips and other rendezvous gatherings and in-water events, as well as boat operation and safety seminars. We believe that the array of services we offer are unique in the brokerage business.

Retail Locations

      We sell our recreational boats and other marine products and offer our related boat services through 59 retail locations in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Each retail location generally includes an indoor showroom (including some of the industry’s largest indoor boat showrooms) and an outside area for displaying boat inventories, a business office to assist customers in arranging financing and insurance, and maintenance and repair facilities.

      Many of our retail locations are waterfront properties on some of the nation’s most popular boating locations, including the Delta Basin and Mission Bay in California; multiple locations on the Intracoastal Waterway, the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, Naples Bay (next to the Gulf of Mexico), Tampa Bay, and the Caloosahatchee River in Florida; Lake Lanier and Lake Altoona in Georgia; Leech Lake and the St. Croix River in Minnesota; Barnegat Bay, the Delaware River, the Hudson River, Lake Hopatcong, Little Egg Harbor, and the Manasquan River in New Jersey; Lake Erie in Ohio; and Clear Lake, Lake Canroe, and Lake Lewisville in Texas. Our waterfront retail locations, most of which include marina-type facilities and docks at which we display our boats, are easily accessible to the boating populace, serve as in-water showrooms, and enable the sales force to give the customer immediate in-water demonstrations of various boat models. Most of our other locations are in close proximity to water.

      We plan to reach new customers by expanding in new locations through various innovative retail formats, such as mall stores and floating retail facilities. Our mall store concept is unique to the boating industry and is designed to draw mall traffic, thereby providing exposure to boating to the non-boating public as well as displaying our new product offerings to boating enthusiasts. Floating retail facilities place the sales facility, with a customer reception area and sales offices, on or anchored to a dock in a marina and use adjacent boat slips to display new and used boats in areas of high boating activity. We currently have three floating retail facilities.

Operations

      We have adopted a generally decentralized approach to the operational management of our dealerships. While certain administrative functions are centralized at the corporate level, local management is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of the retail locations. Each retail location is managed by a store manager, who oversees the day-to-day operations, personnel, and financial performance of the individual store, subject to the direction of a district manager, who generally has responsibility for the retail locations within a specified geographic region. Typically, each retail location also has a staff consisting of a sales manager, an F&I manager, a parts and service manager, sales representatives, maintenance and repair technicians, and various support personnel.

      We attempt to attract and retain quality employees at our retail locations by providing them with ongoing training to enhance sales professionalism and product knowledge, career advancement opportunities within a larger company, and favorable benefit packages. We maintain a formal training program, called MarineMax University or “MMU,” which provides training for employees in all aspects of our operations. Extensive training sessions are held at our various regional locations periodically throughout the year covering a variety of topics. We recently launched MMU-online, which offers various modules over the Internet. Highly trained, professional sales representatives are an important factor to our successful sales efforts. These sales

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      Sales representatives receive compensation primarily on a commission basis. Each store manager is a salaried employee with incentive bonuses based on the performance of the managed dealership. Maintenance and repair service managers receive compensation on a salary basis with bonuses based on the performance of their departments. Our management information system provides each store and department manager with daily financial and operational information, enabling them to monitor their performance on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. We have a uniform, fully integrated management information system serving each of our dealerships.

      Our sales philosophy focuses on selling the pleasures of the boating lifestyle. We believe that the critical elements of our sales philosophy include our appealing retail locations, hassle-free MarineMax Value-Price approach, highly trained sales representatives, high level of customer service, emphasis on educating the customer and the customer’s family on boat usage, and providing our customers with opportunities for boating. We strive to provide superior customer service and support before, during, and after the sale.

      Each retail location offers the customer the opportunity to evaluate a large variety of new and used boats in a comfortable and convenient setting. Our full-service retail locations facilitate a turn-key purchasing process that includes attractive lender financing packages, extended service agreements, and insurance. Many of our retail locations are located on waterfronts and marinas, which attract boating enthusiasts and enable customers to operate various boats prior to making a purchase decision.

      We sell our boats at posted value prices that generally represent a discount from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The MarineMax Value-Price sales approach focuses on customer service by minimizing customer anxiety associated with price negotiation.

      As a part of our sales and marketing efforts, we also participate in boat shows and in-the-water sales events at area boating locations, typically held in January and February, in each of our markets and in certain locations in close proximity to our markets. These shows and events are normally held at convention centers or marinas, with area dealers renting space. Boat shows and other offsite promotions are an important venue for generating sales orders. The boat shows also generate a significant amount of interest in our products resulting in boat sales after the show.

      We emphasize customer education through one-on-one education by our sales representatives and, at some locations, our delivery captains, before and after a sale, and through in-house seminars for the entire family on boat safety, the use and operation of boats, and product demonstrations. Typically, one of our delivery captains or the sales representative delivers the customer’s boat to an area boating location and thoroughly instructs the customer about the operation of the boat, including hands-on instructions for docking and trailering the boat. To enhance our customer relationships after the sale, we lead and sponsor MarineMax Getaways! group boating trips to various destinations, rendezvous gatherings, and on-the-water organized events that promote the pleasures of the boating lifestyle. Each company-sponsored event, planned and led by a company employee, also provides a favorable medium for acclimating new customers to boating and enables us to promote actively new product offerings to boating enthusiasts.

      As a result of our relative size, we believe we have a competitive advantage within the industry by being able to conduct an organized and systematic advertising and marketing effort. Part of our marketing effort includes an integrated prospect management system that tracks the status of each sales representative’s contacts with a prospect, automatically generates follow-up correspondence, facilitates company-wide availability of a particular boat or other marine product desired by a customer, and tracks the maintenance and service needs for the customer’s boat.

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      We purchase substantially all of our new boat inventory directly from manufacturers, which allocate new boats to dealerships based on the amount of boats sold by the dealership. We also exchange new boats with other dealers to accommodate customer demand and to balance inventory.

      We purchase new boats and other marine-related products from Brunswick, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of marine products, including Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Baja, since November 2001, Hatteras and, since August 2002, Meridian. We also purchase new boats and other marine related products from other manufacturers, including Century, Grady White, MB Sports, Sea Hunt, Sea Pro, and Tracker Marine. In fiscal 2002, sales of new Brunswick boats, including Hatteras, accounted for 65% of our revenue. We believe our Sea Ray boat purchases represent approximately 33% of Sea Ray’s boat sales and are in excess of 11% of all Brunswick marine product sales during fiscal 2002. No other manufacturer accounted for a significant portion of our net purchases in fiscal 2002. Through operating subsidiaries, we have entered into agreements with Brunswick covering Sea Ray products.

      We typically deal with each of our manufacturers, other than Brunswick, under an annually renewable, non-exclusive dealer agreement. Manufacturers generally establish prices on an annual basis, but may change prices in their sole discretion. Manufacturers typically discount the cost of inventory and offer inventory financing assistance during the manufacturers’ slow seasons, generally October through March. To obtain lower cost of inventory, we strive to capitalize on these manufacturer incentives to take product delivery during the manufacturers’ slow seasons. This permits us to gain pricing advantages and better product availability during the selling season.

      The dealer agreements with the Sea Ray division of Brunswick do not restrict our right to sell any Sea Ray product lines or competing products. Arrangements with certain other manufacturers may restrict our right to offer some product lines in certain markets.

      We transfer individual boats among our retail locations to fill customer orders that otherwise might take substantially longer to fill from the manufacturer. This reduces delays in delivery, helps us maximize inventory turnover, and assists in minimizing potential overstock or out-of-stock situations. We actively monitor our inventory levels to maintain levels appropriate to meet current market demands. We are not bound by contractual agreements governing the amount of inventory that we must purchase in any year from any manufacturer, but the failure to purchase at agreed upon levels may result in the loss of certain manufacturer incentives. We participate in numerous end-of-summer manufacturer boat shows, which manufacturers sponsor to sell off their remaining inventory at reduced costs before the introduction of new model year products, typically beginning in July.

      Marine manufacturers customarily provide interest assistance programs to retailers. The interest assistance varies by manufacturer and may include periods of free financing or reduced interest rate programs. The interest assistance may be paid directly to the retailer or the financial institution depending on the arrangements the manufacturer has established. We believe that our financing arrangements with manufacturers are standard within the industry.

      In December 2001, we entered into a revolving credit facility that provides a line of credit with asset-based borrowing availability of up to $220 million. The facility also allows us $20 million in traditional floorplan borrowings. The facility, which has a three-year term with two one-year renewal options, replaced four separate line of credit facilities. During November 2002, we exercised one of the two one-year renewal options, which the bank approved, extending the maturity date to December 2005. The facility accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 175 to 260 basis points, which is determined in accordance with a performance pricing grid, as defined in the credit agreement. Borrowings under the facility are pursuant to a borrowing base formula and are used primarily for working capital and inventory financing. The terms and conditions of the facility are similar to the terms and conditions of the prior separate line of credit facilities.

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      As of September 30, 2002, we owed an aggregate of approximately $95 million under our revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2002, our revolving credit facility provided us with an additional available borrowing capacity of approximately $63 million. Advances on the facility accrued interest at a weighted average rate of 3.6% as of September 30, 2002.

      We believe that our management information system, which currently is being utilized by each of our operating subsidiaries and was developed by certain of the acquired dealers over a number of years through cooperative efforts with a common vendor, enhances our ability to integrate successfully the operations of our operating subsidiaries and future acquisitions, facilitates the interchange of information, and enhances cross-selling opportunities throughout our company. The system integrates each level of operations on a company-wide basis, including purchasing, inventory, receivables, financial reporting and budgeting, and sales management. The system enables us to monitor each dealership’s operations in order to identify quickly areas requiring additional focus and to manage inventory. The system also provides sales representatives with prospect and customer information that aids them in tracking the status of their contacts with prospects, automatically generates follow-up correspondence to such prospects, facilitates the availability of a particular boat company-wide, locates boats needed to satisfy a particular customer request, and monitors the maintenance and service needs of customers’ boats. Company representatives also utilize the system to assist in arranging financing and insurance packages.

Brunswick Agreement Relating to Acquisitions

      We and Brunswick entered into an agreement providing for Brunswick to cooperate in good faith and not to unreasonably withhold its consent to the acquisitions each year by us of Sea Ray boat dealers with aggregate total revenue not exceeding 20% of our revenue in our prior fiscal year. Any acquisitions in excess of the 20% benchmark will be at Brunswick’s discretion. In the event that our purchases of Sea Ray boats exceed 49% of the purchases of Sea Ray boats by all Sea Ray boat dealers, including us, in any fiscal year of Brunswick, the agreement provides that we and Brunswick will negotiate in good faith the standards for acquisitions of Sea Ray boat dealers by us during Brunswick’s next succeeding fiscal year but that Brunswick may grant or withhold its consent to any such acquisition in its sole discretion for as long as our Sea Ray boat purchases exceed the 49% benchmark.

Dealer Agreements with Brunswick

      Brunswick, through its Sea Ray division, and we, through our principal operating subsidiaries, are parties to Sales and Service Agreements relating to Sea Ray products. These dealer agreements appoint one of our operating subsidiaries as a non-exclusive dealer for the retail sale, display, and servicing of designated Sea Ray products and repair parts currently or in the future sold by Sea Ray. Each dealer agreement designates a non-exclusive area of primary responsibility for the dealer, which is a geographical area in proximity to the dealer’s retail locations based on such areas that are customarily designated by Sea Ray and applicable to its domestic dealers. Each dealer agreement also specifies retail locations, which the dealer may not close, change, or add to without the prior written consent of Sea Ray, provided that Sea Ray may not unreasonably withhold its consent. Upon at least one year’s prior notice and the failure by the dealer to cure, Sea Ray may remove the dealer’s right to operate any particular retail location if the dealer fails to meet its material obligations, performance standards, or terms, conditions, representations, warranties, and covenants applicable to that location. Each dealer agreement also restricts the dealer from selling, advertising, soliciting for sale, or offering for resale any Sea Ray products outside its area of primary responsibility without the prior written consent of Sea Ray as long as similar restrictions also apply to all domestic Sea Ray dealers selling comparable Sea Ray products. Each dealer agreement provides for the lowest product prices charged by the Sea Ray division of Brunswick from time to time to other domestic Sea Ray dealers, subject to the dealer meeting all the requirements and conditions of Sea Ray’s applicable programs and the right of Brunswick in good faith to charge lesser prices to other dealers to meet existing competitive circumstances, for unusual and non-ordinary business circumstances, or for limited duration promotional programs.

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      Each dealer agreement requires the dealer to

	•	promote, display, advertise, and sell Sea Ray boats at each of its retail locations in accordance with the agreement and applicable laws;
	•	purchase and maintain sufficient inventory of current Sea Ray boats to meet the reasonable demand of customers at each of its locations and to meet the minimum inventory requirements applicable to all Sea Ray dealers;
	•	maintain at each retail location, or at another acceptable location, a service department to service Sea Ray boats promptly and professionally and to maintain parts and supplies to service Sea Ray boats properly on a timely basis;
	•	perform all necessary installation and inspection services prior to delivery to purchasers and perform post-sale services of all Sea Ray products sold by the dealer or brought to the dealer for service;
	•	furnish purchasers with Sea Ray’s limited warranty on new products and with information and training as to the sale and proper operation and maintenance of Sea Ray boats;
	•	assist Sea Ray in performing any product defect and recall campaigns;
	•	maintain complete product sales and service records;
	•	achieve annual sales performance in accordance with fair and reasonable sales levels established by Sea Ray, after consultation with the dealer, based on factors such as population, sales potential, local economic conditions, competition, past sales history, number of retail locations, and other special circumstances that may affect the sale of products or the dealer, in each case consistent with standards established for all domestic Sea Ray dealers selling comparable products;
	•	provide designated financial information;
	•	conduct its business in a manner that preserves and enhances the reputation of Sea Ray and the dealer for providing quality products and services;
	•	maintain the financial ability to purchase and maintain on hand required inventory levels;
	•	indemnify Sea Ray against any claims or losses resulting from the dealer’s failure to meet its obligations to Sea Ray;
	•	maintain customer service ratings sufficient to maintain Sea Ray’s image in the marketplace; and
	•	achieve within designated time periods and thereafter maintain master dealer status (which is Sea Ray’s highest performance status) for the locations designated by Sea Ray and the dealer.

      Each dealer agreement may be terminated

	•	by Sea Ray if the dealer fails or refuses to place a minimum stocking order of the next model year’s products in accordance with requirements applicable to all Sea Ray dealers generally or fails to meet its financial obligations as they become due to Sea Ray or to the dealer’s lenders;
	•	by Sea Ray or the dealer where good cause exists (including the material breach, default, or noncompliance with any material term, provision, warranty, or obligation under the agreement) and has not been cured within 60 days of prior written notice of the claimed deficiency or at the end of the 60-day period without the opportunity to cure where the cause constitutes bad faith;
	•	by Sea Ray or the dealer in the event of the insolvency, bankruptcy, or receivership of the other;
	•	by Sea Ray in the event of the assignment of the agreement by the dealer without the prior written consent of Sea Ray;
	•	by Sea Ray upon at least 10 days’ prior written notice in the event of the failure to pay any sums due and owing to Sea Ray that are not disputed in good faith;

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	•	by Sea Ray if a majority of our Board of Directors does not consist of specified senior executives and Other Designated Members (as defined in the Stockholders’ Agreement); or
	•	upon the mutual consent of the dealer and Sea Ray.

Employees

      As of September 30, 2002, we had 1,209 employees, 1,166 of whom were in store-level operations and 43 of whom were in corporate administration and management. This includes 136 store-level employees that were added in conjunction with the April 2002 acquisition of Gulfwind Marine Partners, Inc. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements and are not aware of any efforts to unionize our employees. We consider our relations with our employees to be excellent.

Trademarks and Service Marks

      We have registered trade names and trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for various names, including “MarineMax,” “MarineMax Getaways,” “MarineMax Care,” “Delivering the Dream,” and “MarineMax and Design.” We have registered the name “MarineMax” in the European community. We have a trademark application pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “NewCoast Financial Services.” We have trade name and trademark applications pending in Canada for various names, including “MarineMax,” “MarineMax Value Price,” “Value Price,” “Delivering the Dream,” “Delivering and Selling the Dream,” “Getaways,” and “The Water Gene.” There can be no assurance that any of these applications will be granted.

Seasonality and Weather Conditions

      Our business, as well as the entire recreational boating industry, is highly seasonal. Over the three-year period ended September 30, 2002, the average net sales for the quarters ended December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30 represented 19%, 25%, 31%, and 25%, respectively, of our average annual net sales. With the exception of Florida, our geographic territories generally realize significantly lower sales in the quarterly period ending December 31, with boat sales generally improving in January with the onset of the public boat and recreation shows, and continuing through July.

      Our business is also subject to weather patterns, which may adversely affect our results of operations. For example, drought conditions (or merely reduced rainfall levels) or excessive rain, may close area boating locations or render boating dangerous or inconvenient, thereby curtailing customer demand for our products. In addition, unseasonably cool weather and prolonged winter conditions may lead to a shorter selling season in certain locations. Hurricanes and other storms could result in disruptions of our operations or damage to our boat inventories and facilities. Although our geographic diversity is likely to reduce the overall impact to us of adverse weather conditions in any one market area, these conditions will continue to represent potential, material adverse risks to us and our future financial performance.

Environmental and Other Regulatory Issues

      Our operations are subject to extensive regulation, supervision, and licensing under various federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations. While we believe that we maintain all requisite licenses and permits and are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain all requisite licenses and permits. The failure to satisfy those and other regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The adoption of additional laws, rules, and regulations could also have a material adverse effect on our business. Various federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and similar federal and local agencies, have jurisdiction over the operation of our dealerships, repair facilities, and other operations with respect to matters such as consumer protection, workers’ safety, and laws regarding protection of the environment, including air, water, and soil.

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      The EPA has various air emissions regulations for outboard marine engines that impose more strict emissions standards for two-cycle, gasoline outboard marine engines. Emissions from such engines must be reduced by approximately 75% over a nine-year period beginning with the 1998 model year. Costs of comparable new engines, if materially more expensive than previous engines, or the inability of our manufacturers to comply with EPA requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

      Certain of our facilities own and operate underground storage tanks, or USTs, for the storage of various petroleum products. The USTs are generally subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations that require testing and upgrading of USTs and remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater resulting from leaking USTs. In addition, if leakage from company-owned or operated USTs migrates onto the property of others, we may be subject to civil liability to third parties for remediation costs or other damages. Based on historical experience, we believe that our liabilities associated with UST testing, upgrades, and remediation are unlikely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or operating results.

      As with boat dealerships generally, and parts and service operations in particular, our business involves the use, handling, storage, and contracting for recycling or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, including environmentally sensitive materials, such as motor oil, waste motor oil and filters, transmission fluid, antifreeze, freon, waste paint and lacquer thinner, batteries, solvents, lubricants, degreasing agents, gasoline, and diesel fuels. Accordingly, we are subject to regulation by federal, state, and local authorities establishing requirements for the use, management, handling, and disposal of these materials and health and environmental quality standards, and liability related thereto, and providing penalties for violations of those standards. We are also subject to laws, ordinances, and regulations governing investigation and remediation of contamination at facilities we operate to which we send hazardous or toxic substances or wastes for treatment, recycling, or disposal.

      We do not believe we have any material environmental liabilities or that compliance with environmental laws, ordinances, and regulations will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. However, soil and groundwater contamination has been known to exist at certain properties owned or leased by us. We have also been required and may in the future be required to remove aboveground and underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances or wastes. As to certain of our properties, specific releases of petroleum have been or are in the process of being remedied in accordance with state and federal guidelines. We are monitoring the soil and groundwater as required by applicable state and federal guidelines. In addition, the shareholders of the acquired dealers have indemnified us for specific environmental issues identified on environmental site assessments performed by us as part of the acquisitions. We maintain insurance for pollutant cleanup and removal. The coverage pays for the expenses to extract pollutants from land or water at the insured property, if the discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release, or escape of the pollutants is caused by or results from a covered cause of loss. We may also have additional storage tank liability insurance and “Superfund” coverage where applicable. In addition, certain of our retail locations are located on waterways that are subject to federal or state laws regulating navigable waters (including oil pollution prevention), fish and wildlife, and other matters.

      Two of the properties we own were historically used as gasoline service stations. Remedial action with respect to prior historical site activities on these properties has been completed in accordance with federal and state law. Also, one of our properties is within the boundaries of a Superfund site, although our property has not been and is not expected to be identified as a contributor to the contamination in the area. We, however, do not believe that these environmental issues will result in any material liabilities to us.

      Additionally, certain states have required or are considering requiring a license in order to operate a recreational boat. While such licensing requirements are not expected to be unduly restrictive, regulations may discourage potential first-time buyers, thereby limiting future sales, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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Product Liability

      The products we sell or service may expose us to potential liabilities for personal injury or property damage claims relating to the use of those products. Historically, the resolution of product liability claims has not materially affected our business. Our manufacturers generally maintain product liability insurance, and we maintain third-party product liability insurance, which we believe to be adequate. However, we may experience legal claims in excess of our insurance coverage, and those claims may not be covered by insurance. Furthermore, any significant claims against us could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and result in negative publicity.

Competition

      We operate in a highly competitive environment. In addition to facing competition generally from recreation businesses seeking to attract consumers’ leisure time and discretionary spending dollars, the recreational boat industry itself is highly fragmented, resulting in intense competition for customers, quality products, boat show space, and suitable retail locations. We rely to a certain extent on boat shows to generate sales. Our inability to participate in boat shows in our existing or targeted markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

      We compete primarily with single-location boat dealers and, with respect to sales of marine equipment, parts, and accessories, with national specialty marine stores, catalog retailers, sporting goods stores, and mass merchants. Dealer competition continues to increase based on the quality of available products, the price and value of the products, and attention to customer service. There is significant competition both within markets we currently serve and in new markets that we may enter. We compete in each of our markets with retailers of brands of boats and engines we do not sell in that market. In addition, several of our competitors, especially those selling boating accessories, are large national or regional chains that have substantial financial, marketing, and other resources. However, we believe that our integrated corporate infrastructure and marketing and sales capabilities, our cost structure, and our nationwide presence enable us to compete effectively against these companies. Private sales of used boats is an additional significant source of competition.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

      The following table sets forth information concerning each of our executive officers:

      William H. McGill Jr. has served as the Chief Executive Officer of MarineMax since January 23, 1998 and as the Chairman of the Board and as a director of our company since March 6, 1998. Mr. McGill served as the President of our company from January 1988 until September 8, 2000 and re-assumed the position on July 1, 2002. Mr. McGill was the principal owner and president of Gulfwind USA, Inc., one of our operating subsidiaries, from 1973 until its merger with us.

      David L. Cochran has served as a Senior Vice President of our company since October 1, 1998, as Chief Operating Officer of our company since September 8, 2000 and director of our company since March 2002. Mr. Cochran was a principal owner and president of Cochran’s Marine, Inc. and C&N Marine, Inc., one of our operating subsidiaries, from 1977 until its merger with us.

      Michael H. McLamb has served as Executive Vice President of our company since October 2002, as Chief Financial Officer since January 23, 1998, and as Secretary since April 5, 1998. Mr. McLamb served as Vice President and Treasurer of our company from January 23, 1998 until October 22, 2002. Mr. McLamb, a certified public accountant, was employed by Arthur Andersen LLP from December 1987 to December 1997, serving most recently as a senior manager.

      Kurt M. Frahn has served as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of our company since October 22, 2002. Mr. Frahn served as Director of Taxes and Acquisitions of our company from May 15, 1998 until October 22, 2002. Mr. Frahn was employed by Arthur Andersen, LLP from September 3, 1991 until May 15, 1998, serving most recently as a tax consulting manager.

      Edward A. Russell has served as Vice President of our company since October 2002. Most recently Mr. Russell served as the Regional Manager of our Florida operations. Prior to that, Mr. Russell served as the District President for our Central and West Florida operations and was an owner and General Sales Manager of Gulfwind USA Inc., one of our operating subsidiaries, now called MarineMax of Central Florida, from 1984 until its merger with our company in March 1998.

      Michael J. Aiello has served as Vice President of our company since October 2002. Mr. Aiello has served as the Regional Manager of the state of New Jersey and surrounding areas since 1999 and was a principal owner and operator of Merit Marine Inc., one of our operating subsidiaries, now called MarineMax of Mid-Atlantic from 1985 until its merger with our company in March 1999.

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SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

We must integrate the operations of the dealers we recently acquired.

      Since March 1, 1998, we have acquired 18 recreational boat dealers, two boat brokerage operations, and a full-service yacht repair facility. Each acquired dealer operated independently prior to its acquisition by us. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to continue to make successful acquisitions and to integrate the operations of acquired dealers and each dealer we acquire in the future, including centralizing certain functions to achieve cost savings and pursuing programs and processes that promote cooperation and the sharing of opportunities and resources among our dealerships. Management may not be able to oversee the combined entity efficiently or to implement effectively our growth and operating strategies. To the extent that we successfully implement our acquisition strategy, our resulting growth will place significant additional demands on our management and infrastructure. Our failure to implement successfully our acquisition strategies or operate effectively the combined entity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. These effects could include lower revenue, higher cost of sales, increased selling, general, and administrative expenses, and reduced margins on a consolidated basis.

We rely on Brunswick and other key manufacturers.

      Our success depends to a significant extent on the continued popularity and reputation for quality of the boating products of our manufacturers, particularly Brunswick’s Sea Ray and Hatteras boat lines. Approximately 65% of our revenue in fiscal 2002 resulted from sales of new boats manufactured by Brunswick, including 54% from Brunswick’s Sea Ray division and 8% from Brunswick’s Hatteras Yacht division. The remainder of our fiscal 2002 revenue from new boat sales resulted from sales of products from a limited number of other manufacturers, none of which accounted for a significant portion of our revenue. Any adverse change in the financial condition, production efficiency, product development, management, marketplace acceptance and marketing capabilities of our manufacturers, particularly Brunswick given our reliance on Sea Ray and Hatteras, would have a substantial adverse impact on our business.

      To ensure adequate inventory levels to support our expansion, it may be necessary for Brunswick and other manufacturers to increase production levels or allocate a greater percentage of their production to us. The interruption or discontinuance of the operations of Brunswick or other manufacturers could cause us to experience shortfalls, disruptions, or delays with respect to needed inventory. Although we believe that adequate alternate sources would be available that could replace any manufacturer other than Brunswick as a product source, those alternate sources may not be available at the time of any interruption, and alternative products may not be available at comparable quality and prices.

      Through our principal operating subsidiaries, we maintain dealer agreements with Brunswick covering Sea Ray products. Each dealer agreement has a multi-year term and provides for the lowest product prices charged by the Sea Ray division of Brunswick from time to time to other domestic Sea Ray dealers. These terms are subject to

	•	the dealer meeting all the requirements and conditions of Sea Ray’s applicable programs, and
	•	the right of Brunswick in good faith to charge lesser prices to other dealers,

	—	to meet existing competitive circumstances,
	—	for unusual and non-ordinary business circumstances, or
	—	for limited duration promotional programs.

The agreements do not give us the exclusive right to sell Sea Ray product lines within any particular territory or restrict us from selling competing products.

      Through certain of our operating subsidiaries, we also maintain dealer agreements with Hatteras covering Hatteras products. Each agreement allows Hatteras to revise prices at any time, and such new prices will supersede previous prices. Pursuant to the agreement, we must bear any losses we incur as a result of such

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      As is typical in the industry, we deal with our manufacturers, other than the Sea Ray and Hatteras divisions of Brunswick, under renewable annual dealer agreements. These agreements do not contain any contractual provisions concerning product pricing or required purchasing levels. Pricing is generally established on a model year basis, but is subject to change at the manufacturer’s sole discretion. Any change or termination of these arrangements for any reason, including changes in competitive, regulatory, or marketing practices, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, the timing, structure, and amount of manufacturer incentives and rebates could impact our profitability.

General economic conditions, discretionary consumer spending, and changes in tax laws affect our business.

      Our operations depend upon a number of factors relating to or affecting consumer spending for luxury goods, such as recreational boats. Unfavorable local, regional, or national economic developments or uncertainties regarding future economic prospects could reduce consumer spending in the markets we serve and adversely affect our business. Consumer spending on luxury goods also may decline as a result of lower consumer confidence levels, even if prevailing economic conditions are favorable. In an economic downturn, consumer discretionary spending levels generally decline, at times resulting in disproportionately large reductions in the sale of luxury goods. Similarly, rising interest rates could have a negative impact on the ability or willingness of consumers to finance boat purchases, which could also adversely affect our ability to sell our products. Local influences, such as corporate downsizing and military base closings, also could adversely affect our operations in certain markets. We may be unable to maintain our profitability during any period of adverse economic conditions or low consumer confidence. Changes in federal and state tax laws, such as an imposition of luxury taxes on new boat purchases, and stock market performance also could influence consumers’ decisions to purchase products we offer and could have a negative effect on our sales. For example, during 1991 and 1992 the federal government imposed a luxury tax on new recreational boats with sales prices in excess of $100,000, which coincided with a sharp decline in total U.S. recreational boating industry sales from a high of more than $17.9 billion in the late 1980s to a low of $10.3 billion in 1992.

The boating industry has been stagnant during recent years.

      The recreational boating industry is cyclical and has experienced relatively stagnant overall growth over the last 10-year period. General economic conditions, consumer spending patterns, federal tax policies, interest rate levels, and the cost and availability of fuel can impact overall boat purchases. We believe that the lack of increase in overall boat purchases has resulted from increased competition from other recreational activities, perceived hassles of boat ownership, and relatively poor customer service and education throughout the retail boat industry. Although our strategy addresses many of these industry factors and we have achieved significant growth during the period of stagnant industry growth, the cyclical nature of the recreational boating industry or the lack of industry growth could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations in the future.

Our acquisition strategy involves significant risks.

      Our growth strategy of acquiring additional recreational boat dealers involves significant risks. This strategy entails reviewing and potentially reorganizing acquired business operations, corporate infrastructure and systems, and financial controls. Unforeseen expenses, difficulties, and delays frequently encountered in connection with rapid expansion through acquisitions could inhibit our growth and negatively impact our profitability. We may be unable to identify suitable acquisition candidates or to complete the acquisitions of candidates that we identify. Increased competition for acquisition candidates may increase purchase prices for acquisitions to levels beyond our financial capability or to levels that would not result in the returns required by our acquisition criteria. In addition, we may encounter difficulties in integrating the operations of acquired

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      We may issue common or preferred stock and incur substantial indebtedness in making future acquisitions. The size, timing, and integration of any future acquisitions may cause substantial fluctuations in operating results from quarter to quarter. Consequently, operating results for any quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for any subsequent quarter or for a full fiscal year. These fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

      Our ability to continue to grow through the acquisition of additional dealers will depend upon various factors, including the following:

	•	the availability of suitable acquisition candidates at attractive purchase prices,
	•	the ability to compete effectively for available acquisition opportunities,
	•	the availability of funds or common stock with a sufficient market price to complete the acquisitions,
	•	the ability to obtain any requisite manufacturer or governmental approvals, and
	•	the absence of one or more manufacturers attempting to impose unsatisfactory restrictions on us in connection with their approval of acquisitions.

      As a part of our acquisition strategy, we frequently engage in discussions with various recreational boat dealers regarding their potential acquisition by us. In connection with these discussions, we and each potential acquisition candidate exchange confidential operational and financial information, conduct due diligence inquiries, and consider the structure, terms, and conditions of the potential acquisition. In certain cases, the prospective acquisition candidate agrees not to discuss a potential acquisition with any other party for a specific period of time, grants us an option to purchase the prospective dealer for a designated price during a specific time, and agrees to take other actions designed to enhance the possibility of the acquisition, such as preparing audited financial information and converting its accounting system to the system specified by us. Potential acquisition discussions frequently take place over a long period of time and involve difficult business integration and other issues, including in some cases, management succession and related matters. As a result of these and other factors, a number of potential acquisitions that from time to time appear likely to occur do not result in binding legal agreements and are not consummated.

We may need manufacturers’ consent to dealer acquisitions and market expansions.

      We may be required to obtain the consent of Brunswick and various other manufacturers prior to the acquisition of other dealers. In determining whether to approve acquisitions, manufacturers may consider many factors, including our financial condition and ownership structure. Manufacturers also may impose conditions on granting their approvals for acquisitions, including a limitation on the number of their dealers that we may acquire. Our ability to meet manufacturers’ requirements for approving future acquisitions will have a direct bearing on our ability to complete acquisitions and effect our growth strategy. There can be no assurance that a manufacturer will not terminate its dealer agreement, refuse to renew its dealer agreement, refuse to approve future acquisitions, or take other action that could have a material adverse effect on our acquisition program.

      We and Brunswick have entered into an agreement providing for Brunswick to cooperate in good faith and not to unreasonably withhold its consent to the acquisitions each year by us of Sea Ray boat dealers with aggregate total revenue not exceeding 20% of our revenue in our prior fiscal year. Any acquisitions in excess of the 20% benchmark will be at Brunswick’s discretion. In the event that our purchases of Sea Ray boats exceed 49% of the purchases of Sea Ray boats by all Sea Ray boat dealers, including us, in any fiscal year of Brunswick, the agreement provides that we and Brunswick will negotiate in good faith the standards for acquisitions of Sea Ray boat dealers by us during Brunswick’s next succeeding fiscal year, but that Brunswick may grant or withhold its consent to any such acquisition in its sole discretion for as long as our Sea Ray boat purchases exceed the 49% benchmark.

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      Our growth strategy also entails expanding our product lines and geographic scope by obtaining additional distribution rights from our existing and new manufacturers. We may not be able to secure additional distribution rights or obtain suitable alternative sources of supply if we are unable to obtain such distribution rights. The inability to expand our product lines and geographic scope by obtaining additional distribution rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Boat manufacturers exercise substantial control over our business.

      We depend on our dealer agreements. Through dealer agreements, boat manufacturers, including Brunswick, exercise significant control over their dealers, restrict them to specified locations, and retain approval rights over changes in management and ownership. The continuation of our dealer agreements with most manufacturers, including Brunswick, depends upon, among other things, our achieving stated goals for customer satisfaction ratings and market share penetration in the market served by the applicable dealership. Failure to meet the customer satisfaction, market share goals, and other conditions set forth in any dealer agreement could have various consequences, including the following:

	•	the termination of the dealer agreement,
	•	the imposition of additional conditions in subsequent dealer agreements,
	•	limitations on boat inventory allocations,
	•	reductions in reimbursement rates for warranty work performed by the dealer, or
	•	denial of approval of future acquisitions.

      Our dealer agreements with manufacturers, including Brunswick, generally do not give us the exclusive right to sell those manufacturers’ products within a given geographical area. Accordingly, a manufacturer, including Brunswick, could authorize another dealer to start a new dealership in proximity to one or more of our locations, or an existing dealer could move a dealership to a location that would be directly competitive with us. These events could have a material adverse effect on us and our operations.

The failure to receive rebates and other dealer incentives on inventory purchases could substantially reduce our margins.

      We rely on manufacturers’ programs that provide incentives for dealers to purchase and sell particular boat makes and models or for consumers to buy particular boat makes or models. Any eliminations, reductions, limitations, or other changes relating to rebate or incentive programs that have the effect of reducing the benefits we receive could increase the effective cost of our boat purchases, reduce our margins and competitive position, and have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.

We may have significant capital needs.

      Our growth strategy may require us to secure significant additional capital. Our future capital requirements will depend upon the size, timing, and structure of future acquisitions and our working capital and general corporate needs. If we finance future acquisitions in whole or in part through the issuance of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, existing stockholders will experience dilution in the voting power of their common stock and earnings per share could be negatively impacted. The extent to which we will be able or willing to use our common stock for acquisitions will depend on the market value of our common stock from time to time and the willingness of potential sellers to accept our common stock as full or partial consideration. Our inability to use our common stock as consideration, to generate cash from operations, or to obtain additional funding through debt or equity financings in order to pursue our acquisition program could materially limit our growth.

      Any borrowings made to finance future acquisitions or for operations could make us more vulnerable to a downturn in our operating results, a downturn in economic conditions, or increases in interest rates on borrowings that are subject to interest rate fluctuations. If our cash flow from operations is insufficient to meet our debt service requirements, we could be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our

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      Our current revolving credit facility provides a line of credit with asset-based borrowing availability of up to $220 million, and allows us $20 million in traditional floorplan borrowings. We believe this credit facility will be sufficient for our currently anticipated needs. We have pledged certain of our assets, principally boat inventories, to secure our credit facility. While we believe we will continue to obtain adequate financing from lenders, such financing may not be available to us.

Our internal growth and operating strategies involve risk.

      In addition to pursuing growth by acquiring boat dealers, we intend to continue to pursue a strategy of growth through opening new retail locations and offering new products in our existing and new territories. Accomplishing these goals for expansion will depend upon a number of factors, including the following:

	•	our ability to identify new markets in which we can obtain distribution rights to sell our existing or additional product lines;
	•	our ability to lease or construct suitable facilities at a reasonable cost in existing or new markets;
	•	our ability to hire, train, and retain qualified personnel;
	•	the timely integration of new retail locations into existing operations;
	•	our ability to achieve adequate market penetration at favorable operating margins without the acquisition of existing dealers; and
	•	our financial resources.

      Our dealer agreements with Brunswick require Brunswick’s consent to open, close, or change retail locations that sell Sea Ray products, and other dealer agreements generally contain similar provisions. We may not be able to open and operate new retail locations or introduce new product lines on a timely or profitable basis. Moreover, the costs associated with opening new retail locations or introducing new product lines may adversely affect our profitability.

      As a result of these growth strategies, we expect that management will expend significant time and effort in opening and acquiring new retail locations and introducing new products. Our systems, procedures, controls, and financial resources may not be adequate to support our expanding operations. The inability to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

      Our planned growth also will impose significant added responsibilities on members of senior management and require us to identify, recruit, and integrate additional senior level managers. We may not be able to identify, hire, or train suitable additions to management.

Seasonality and weather conditions impact our operations.

      Our business, as well as the entire recreational boating industry, is highly seasonal, with seasonality varying in different geographic markets. During the three-year period ended September 30, 2002, the average net sales for the quarterly periods ended December 31, March 31, June 30, and September 30 represented 19%, 25%, 31%, and 25%, respectively, of our average annual net sales. With the exception of Florida, we generally realize significantly lower sales in the quarterly period ending December 31 with boat sales generally improving in January with the onset of the public boat and recreation shows. Our business could become substantially more seasonal as we acquire dealers that operate in colder regions of the United States.

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      Weather conditions may adversely impact our operating results. For example, drought conditions, reduced rainfall levels, and excessive rain may force boating areas to close or render boating dangerous or inconvenient, thereby curtailing customer demand for our products. In addition, unseasonably cool weather and prolonged winter conditions may lead to shorter selling seasons in certain locations. Hurricanes and other storms could result in the disruption of our operations or damage to our boat inventories and facilities. Many of our dealerships sell boats to customers for use on reservoirs, thereby subjecting our business to the continued viability of these reservoirs for boating use. Although our geographic diversity and our future geographic expansion will reduce the overall impact on us of adverse weather conditions in any one market area, weather conditions will continue to represent potential material adverse risks to us and our future operating performance. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, our operating results in some future quarters could be below the expectations of stock market analysts and investors.

We face intense competition.

      We operate in a highly competitive environment. In addition to facing competition generally from non-boating recreation businesses seeking to attract discretionary spending dollars, the recreational boat industry itself is highly fragmented, resulting in intense competition for customers, product distribution rights, and suitable retail locations, particularly on or near waterways. Competition increases during periods of stagnant industry growth, such as currently exists.

      We compete primarily with single-location boat dealers and, with respect to sales of marine parts, accessories, and equipment, with national specialty marine parts and accessories stores, catalog retailers, sporting goods stores, and mass merchants. Competition among boat dealers is based on the quality of available products, the price and value of the products, and attention to customer service. There is significant competition both within markets we currently serve and in new markets that we may enter. We compete in each of our markets with retailers of brands of boats and engines we do not sell in that market. In addition, several of our competitors, especially those selling marine equipment and accessories, are large national or regional chains that have substantial financial, marketing, and other resources. Private sales of used boats represent an additional source of competition.

We depend on income from financing, insurance, and extended service contracts.

      A portion of our income results from referral fees derived from the placement or marketing of various F&I products, consisting of customer financing, insurance products, and extended service contracts, the most significant component of which is the participation and other fees resulting from our sale of customer financing contracts. During fiscal 2002, F&I products accounted for approximately 3.0% of our revenue.

      The availability of financing for our boat purchasers and the level of participation and other fees we receive in connection with such financing depend on the particular agreement between us and the lender. Lenders may impose terms in their boat financing arrangements with us that may be unfavorable to us or our customers, resulting in reduced demand for our customer financing programs and lower participation and other fees.

      The reduction of profit margins on sales of F&I products or the lack of demand for or the unavailability of these products could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We depend on key personnel.

      Our success depends, in large part, upon the continuing efforts and abilities of our executive officers. Although we have an employment agreement with certain of our executive officers, we cannot assure that these or other executive personnel will remain with us. As a result of our decentralized operating strategy, we also rely on the management teams of our operating subsidiaries. In addition, we likely will depend on the senior management of any significant businesses we acquire in the future. The loss of the services of one or more of these key employees before we are able to attract and retain qualified replacement personnel could adversely affect our business.

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We face product and service liability risks.

      The products we sell or service may expose us to potential liability for personal injury or property damage claims relating to the use of those products. Manufacturers of the products we sell generally maintain product liability insurance. We also maintain third-party product liability insurance that we believe to be adequate. We may experience claims that are not covered by or that are in excess of our insurance coverage. The institution of any significant claims against us could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations as well as our business reputation with potential customers.

Environmental and other regulatory issues may impact our operations.

      Our operations are subject to extensive regulation, supervision, and licensing under various federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations. The failure to satisfy those and other regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

      Various federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, including OSHA or the EPA, and similar federal and local agencies, have jurisdiction over the operation of our dealerships, repair facilities, and other operations, with respect to matters such as consumer protection, workers’ safety, and laws regarding protection of the environment, including air, water, and soil. The EPA recently promulgated emissions regulations for outboard marine engines that impose stricter emissions standards for two-cycle, gasoline outboard marine engines. Emissions from such engines must be reduced by approximately 75% over a nine-year period beginning with the 1998 model year. Costs of comparable new engines, if materially more expensive than previous engines, or the inability of our manufacturers to comply with EPA requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

      Certain of our facilities own and operate USTs for the storage of various petroleum products. USTs are generally subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations that require testing and upgrading of USTs and remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater resulting from leaking USTs. In addition, we may be subject to civil liability to third parties for remediation costs or other damages if leakage from our owned or operated USTs migrates onto the property of others.

      Our business involves the use, handling, storage, and contracting for recycling or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, including environmentally sensitive materials, such as motor oil, waste motor oil and filters, transmission fluid, antifreeze, freon, waste paint and lacquer thinner, batteries, solvents, lubricants, degreasing agents, gasoline, and diesel fuels. Accordingly, we are subject to regulation by federal, state, and local authorities establishing investigation and health and environmental quality standards, and liability related thereto, and providing penalties for violations of those standards.

      We also are subject to laws, ordinances, and regulations governing investigation and remediation of contamination at facilities we operate or to which we send hazardous or toxic substances or wastes for treatment, recycling, or disposal. In particular, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA or Superfund, imposes joint, strict, and several liability on

	•	owners or operators of facilities at, from, or to which a release of hazardous substances has occurred;
	•	parties who generated hazardous substances that were released at such facilities; and
	•	parties who transported or arranged for the transportation of hazardous substances to such facilities.

A majority of states have adopted Superfund statutes comparable to and, in some cases, more stringent than CERCLA. If we were to be found to be a responsible party under CERCLA or a similar state statute, we could be held liable for all investigative and remedial costs associated with addressing such contamination. In addition, claims alleging personal injury or property damage may be brought against us as a result of alleged exposure to hazardous substances resulting from our operations. In addition, certain of our retail locations are located on waterways that are subject to federal or state laws regulating navigable waters (including oil pollution prevention), fish and wildlife, and other matters.

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      Soil and groundwater contamination has been known to exist at certain properties owned or leased by us. We have also been required and may in the future be required to remove aboveground and underground storage tanks containing hazardous substances or wastes. As to certain of our properties, specific releases of petroleum have been or are in the process of being remediated in accordance with state and federal guidelines. We are monitoring the soil and groundwater as required by applicable state and federal guidelines. We also may have additional storage tank liability insurance and “Superfund” coverage where applicable. Environmental laws and regulations are complex and subject to frequent change. Compliance with amended, new or more stringent laws or regulations, more strict interpretations of existing laws, or the future discovery of environmental conditions may require additional expenditures by us, and such expenditures may be material.

      Two of the properties we own were historically used as gasoline service stations. Remedial action with respect to prior historical site activities on these properties has been completed in accordance with federal and state law. Also, one of our properties is within the boundaries of a Superfund site, although our property has not been identified as a contributor to the contamination in the area.

      Additionally, certain states have required or are considering requiring a license in order to operate a recreational boat. These regulations could discourage potential buyers, thereby limiting future sales and adversely affecting our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Fuel prices and supply may affect our business.

      All of the recreational boats we sell are powered by diesel or gasoline engines. Consequently, an interruption in the supply, or a significant increase in the price or tax on the sale, of fuel on a regional or national basis could have a material adverse effect on our sales and operating results. At various times in the past, diesel or gasoline fuel has been difficult to obtain. The supply of fuels may be interrupted, rationing may be imposed, or the price of or tax on fuels may significantly increase in the future.

We must evaluate goodwill for impairment.

      Goodwill is an intangible asset that represents the difference between the aggregate purchase price for the net assets acquired and the amount of such purchase price allocated to such net assets for purposes of our balance sheet. Through our fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, we were required to amortize the goodwill from acquisitions accounted for as purchases over a period of time, with the amount amortized in a particular period constituting an expense that reduced our net income for that period.

      In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS 142 provides that goodwill and certain intangibles no longer will be amortized, but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually. SFAS 142 is required to be applied starting with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, with early application permitted in certain circumstances. We elected to early adopt SFAS 142 during fiscal 2002. SFAS 142 requires that the first step of the transitional goodwill impairment test be completed within six months from the date of initial adoption of the statement. In addition to this initial assessment, we assess the impairment of identifiable intangible assets and goodwill at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an identifiable intangible asset or goodwill exceeds its fair value, we would recognize an impairment loss. We measure any potential impairment based on various business valuation methodologies, including a projected discounted cash flow method. We have completed the transitional goodwill impairment test, and we have not recognized any impairment losses to date. We have also completed the annual goodwill impairment test during fiscal 2002, which resulted in no impairment of goodwill. We will continue to test goodwill for impairment at least annually and if events occur and circumstances change, causing a fair value below carrying amount, impairment losses may be recognized in the future. Identifiable intangible assets and net goodwill amounted to $49.9 million as of September 30, 2002.

      A reduction in net income resulting from the impairment of goodwill may have an adverse impact upon the market price of our common stock. Impairment in the goodwill or regulatory action that changes the

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Conflicts exist relating to transactions with affiliates.

      We may enter into arrangements that may involve conflicts of interest. During fiscal 2000, we purchased from Mr. Bassett, a principal stockholder and director of our company, land for the purpose of constructing a retail sales operation. We paid Mr. Bassett $3.0 million for the property, which was equal to the appraised fair market value of the property. The interests of directors or officers of our company or holders of more than 5% of our common stock, in their individual capacities or capacities with related third-party entities, may conflict with the interests of these persons in their capacities with our company.

Directors, officers, and certain other stockholders own a significant portion of our stock.

      Our directors and executive officers and persons associated with them own beneficially a total of approximately 38.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, exclusive of options to acquire 977,182 additional shares of our common stock. As a result of this ownership, these persons may have the power effectively to control our company, including the election of directors, the determination of matters requiring stockholder approval, and other matters pertaining to corporate governance. This concentration of ownership also may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company.

      We, Brunswick, and various of our senior executive officers and directors are parties to a stockholders’ agreement, and we and Brunswick are parties to a governance agreement, each dated April 28, 1998. Subject to certain limitations, the stockholders’ agreement provides various rights of first refusal on the sale of shares of common stock by the parties to the agreement, particularly in the event that Brunswick does not own its targeted investment percentage of 19% of our common stock at the time of the proposed sale or in the event the proposed sale is to a competitor of Brunswick. Among other provisions and subject to certain conditions, the stockholders’ agreement also requires Brunswick and our senior executives to vote their common stock for nominees of the board of directors in the election of directors and to vote their common stock in favor of all proposals and recommendations approved by our board of directors and submitted to a vote of our stockholders. The governance agreement provides for various terms and conditions concerning Brunswick’s participation in the corporate governance of our company.

      As a result, the stockholders’ agreement and the governance agreement will have the effect of increasing the control of our directors, executive officers, and persons associated with them and may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company.

      Our stock price may be volatile.

      The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations as a result of many factors. Factors that could affect the trading price include the following:

	•	variations in operating results,
	•	the level and success of our acquisition program and new store openings,
	•	variations in same-store sales,
	•	the success of dealership integration,
	•	relationships with manufacturers,
	•	changes in earnings estimates published by analysts,
	•	general economic, political, and market conditions,
	•	seasonality and weather conditions,
	•	governmental policies and regulations,

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	•	the performance of the recreational boat industry in general, and
	•	factors relating to suppliers and competitors.

      In addition, the relatively few shares held by the public, market demand for small- and mid-capitalization stocks, and price and volume fluctuations in the stock market unrelated to our performance could result in significant fluctuations in market price of our common stock. The performance of our common stock could adversely affect our ability to raise equity in the public markets and adversely affect our acquisition program.

Stockholders may incur immediate and substantial dilution.

      The issuance of additional common stock in the future, including shares that we may issue pursuant to option grants and future acquisitions, may result in dilution in the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Our board of directors has the legal power and authority to determine the terms of an offering of shares of our capital stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for these shares, to the extent of our shares of authorized and unissued capital stock.

A substantial number of shares are eligible for future sale.

      As of September 30, 2002, there were outstanding 15,221,378 shares of our common stock. Most of these shares are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the securities laws, unless held by an “affiliate” of our company, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the securities laws. Shares held by affiliates of our company, which generally will include our directors, officers, and certain principal stockholders, are subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144 described below. Outstanding shares of common stock issued in connection with the acquisition of any acquired dealers are available for resale beginning one year after the respective dates of the acquisitions, subject to compliance with the provisions of Rule 144 under the securities laws.

      As of September 30, 2002, we had issued options to purchase approximately 2,378,366 shares of common stock under our 1998 incentive stock plan and we issued 172,439 of the 500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 1998 employee stock purchase plan. We have filed a registration statement under the securities laws to register the common stock to be issued under these plans. As a result, shares issued under these plans will be freely tradable without restriction unless acquired by affiliates of our company, who will be subject to the volume and other limitations of Rule 144.

      We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock under the securities laws as part of any acquisition we may complete in the future. Pursuant to Rule 145 under the securities laws, these shares generally will be freely tradable after their issuance by persons not affiliated with us or the acquired companies.

We rely on our operating subsidiaries.

      We are a holding company, the principal assets of which are the shares of the capital stock or membership interests of our corporate or limited liability company subsidiaries, including the operating subsidiaries. As a holding company without independent means of generating operating revenue, we depend on dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries to fund our obligations and meet our cash needs. Financial covenants under future loan agreements of our subsidiaries may limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make sufficient dividend or other payments to permit us to fund our obligations or meet our cash needs, in whole or in part.

We do not pay cash dividends.

      We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Moreover, financial covenants under certain of our credit facilities restrict our ability to pay dividends.

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Our stockholders’ rights plan may adversely affect existing stockholders.

      During September 2001, we adopted a Stockholders’ Rights Plan that may have the effect of deterring, delaying, or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. Under the Rights Plan, we issued a dividend of one Preferred Share Purchase Right for each share of our common stock held by stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 7, 2001. Each right entitles stockholders to purchase, at an exercise price of $50 per share, one-thousandth of a share of our newly created Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

      In general, subject to certain limited exceptions, the stock purchase rights become exercisable when a person or group acquires 15% or more of our common stock or a tender offer or exchange offer for 15% or more of our common stock is announced or commenced. After any such event, our other stockholders may purchase additional shares of our common stock at 50% of the then-current market price. The rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our board of directors. The rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors since the rights may be redeemed by us at $0.01 per stock purchase right at any time before any person or group acquires 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. The rights expire on August 28, 2011.

Change in control provisions may adversely affect existing stockholders.

      Certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may make a change in the control of our company more difficult to complete, even if a change in control were in the stockholders’ interest or might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by the stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws divide the board of directors into three classes of directors elected for staggered three-year terms. The certificate of incorporation also provides that the board of directors may authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock from time to time and may determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions and fix the number of shares of any such series of preferred stock, without any vote or action by our stockholders. The board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. The certificate of incorporation also allows our board of directors to fix the number of directors and to fill vacancies on the board of directors.

      We also are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits us from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an “interested stockholder,” unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The senior executives of the five original acquired dealers and Stovall Marine, Inc. were exempted from the application of Section 203.

      Certain of our dealer agreements could also make it difficult for a third party to attempt to acquire a significant ownership position in our company. In addition, the stockholders’ agreement and governance agreement will have the effect of increasing the control of our directors, executive officers, and persons associated with them and may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company.

Item 2.     Properties

      We lease our corporate offices in Clearwater, Florida. We also lease 39 of our retail locations under leases, many of which contain multi-year renewal options and, some of which grant us a first right of refusal to purchase the property at fair value. In all such cases, we pay a fixed rent at negotiated rates. In substantially all of the leased locations, we are responsible for taxes, utilities, insurance, and routine repairs and maintenance. We own the property associated with our 20 other retail locations.

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      The following table reflects the status, approximate size, and facilities of our various retail locations as of the date of this report.

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(1)	Square footage does not include outside sales space or dock or marina facilities.
(2)	Operated since date is the date the facility was opened by us or a company was acquired by us.
(3)	Shares service facility located at the other Houston retail locations.
(4)	We own the floating facility, however, the related dock and marina space is leased by us from an unaffiliated third party.
(5)	Shares service facility located at the other Lewisville retail location.

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

      We are involved in various legal proceedings arising out of our operations in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that such proceedings, even if determined adversely, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

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Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      Not applicable.

PART II

      Our common stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HZO since our initial public offering on June 3, 1998 at $12.50 per share. The following table sets forth high and low sale prices of the common stock for each calendar quarter indicated as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

      On November 29, 2002, the closing sale price of our common stock was $12.50 per share. On November 29, 2002, there were approximately 110 record holders and approximately 2,000 beneficial owners of our common stock.

      The following table contains certain financial and operating data and is qualified by the more detailed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The balance sheet data as of September 30, 2002 and the statement of operations data for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 were derived from the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants. The balance sheet data as of September 30, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 and the statements of operations data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 were derived from the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants. The financial data shown below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto

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(1)	On March 12, 1998, we and Brunswick entered into a Settlement Agreement under which Brunswick agreed not to challenge the change in control provisions of the acquired companies dealership agreements and we agreed to pay Brunswick $15.0 million.
(2)	Includes only those stores open at period end.
(3)	Includes only those stores open for the entire preceding 12- or nine-month period, respectively.
(4)	New and acquired stores are included in the comparable base at the end of the store’s thirteenth month of operations.

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Item 7.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations

      We are the largest recreational boat retailer in the United States with fiscal 2002 revenue exceeding $540 million. Through 59 retail locations in 13 states, we sell new and used recreational boats and related marine products, including engines, trailers, parts, and accessories. We also arrange related boat financing, insurance, and extended warranty contracts; provide boat repair and maintenance services; and offer yacht or boat brokerage services.

      MarineMax was incorporated in January 1998. We have significantly expanded our operations through the acquisition of 18 recreational boat dealers, two boat brokerage operations, and one full-service yacht repair facility since our formation. As a part of our acquisition strategy, we frequently engage in discussions with various recreational boat dealers regarding their potential acquisition by us. Potential acquisition discussions frequently take place over a long period of time and involve difficult business integration and other issues, including in some cases, management succession and related matters. As a result of these and other factors, a number of potential acquisitions that from time to time appear likely to occur do not result in binding legal agreements and are not consummated.

      During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, we completed the acquisition of two recreational boat dealers. During April 2002, we acquired the net assets, including the owned sales and marina facilities, and assumed certain liabilities of Gulfwind Marine Partners, Inc. and affiliates, a privately held boat dealership with locations in Sarasota, Venice, and Cape Haze, Florida, for approximately $16 million in cash. During July 2002, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Seaside Marine, Inc., a privately held boat dealership in San Diego, California for approximately $100,000 in cash including acquisition costs. These acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

      During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, we completed the acquisition of one full-service yacht repair facility. We acquired the net assets, including the assumption of certain liabilities and related property and buildings, for approximately $5.6 million in cash, including acquisition costs. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

      During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000, we completed the acquisition of two recreational boat dealers. We acquired the net assets and assumed or retired certain liabilities, including the outstanding floorplan obligations related to new boat inventories, for approximately $4.8 million in cash, including acquisition costs. These acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

      We derive our revenue from selling new and used recreational boats and related marine products; arranging third-party financing, insurance, and extended warranty products; providing boat repair and maintenance services; and offering boat and yacht brokerage services. Revenue from boat or related marine product sales, boat repair and maintenance services, and boat or yacht brokerage services is recognized at the time the product is delivered to the customer or the service is completed. Revenue earned by us for arranging financing, insurance, and extended warranty products is recognized at the later of customer acceptance of the service contract terms as evidenced by contract execution, or when the related boat sale is recognized.

      Cost of sales generally includes the cost of the recreational boat or other marine product, plus any additional labor, parts, or consumables used in providing maintenance, repair, and rigging services.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

      We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations when such policies affect our reported and expected financial results.

      In the ordinary course of business, we have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial condition in the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circum-

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     Revenue Recognition

      We recognize revenue from boat, motor, and trailer sales, and parts and service operations at the time the boat, motor, trailer, or part is delivered to or accepted by the customer or service is completed. We recognize commissions earned from a brokerage sale at the time the related brokerage transaction closes. Commissions earned by us for placing notes with financial institutions in connection with customer boat financing is recognized when the related boat sale is recognized. Marketing fees earned on credit life, accident, and disability and hull insurance products sold by third-party insurance companies are also recognized when the related boat sale is recognized. Commissions earned on extended warranty service contracts sold on behalf of third-party insurance companies are recognized at the later of customer acceptance of the service contract terms as evidenced by contract execution, or when the related boat sale is recognized.

     Valuation of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

      In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS 142 requires that goodwill and certain intangibles no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually. SFAS 142 is required to be applied starting with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, with early application permitted in certain circumstances. We have elected to early adopt SFAS 142 in fiscal 2002. SFAS 142 requires that the first step of the transitional goodwill impairment test to be completed within six months from the date of initial adoption of the statement.

      In addition to this initial assessment, we assess the impairment of identifiable intangible assets and goodwill at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an identifiable intangible asset or goodwill exceeds its fair value, we would recognize an impairment loss. We measure any potential impairment based on various business valuation methodologies, including a projected discounted cash flow method. We have completed the transitional goodwill impairment test, which resulted in no impairment of goodwill. We have also completed the annual goodwill impairment test during fiscal 2002, which resulted in no impairment of goodwill. We will continue to test goodwill for impairment at least annually and if events occur and circumstances change, causing a fair value below the carrying amount, impairment losses may be recognized in the future. Identifiable intangible assets and net goodwill amounted to $49.9 million as of September 30, 2002.

     Inventories

      New and used boat inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific-identification basis, or market. Parts and accessories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out basis, or market. If the carrying amount of our inventory exceeds its fair value, we write down our inventory to its fair value. We utilize our historical experience and current sales trends as the basis for our lower of cost or market analysis. If events occur and market conditions change, causing the fair value to fall below carrying value, inventory write-downs may be required.

      For a more comprehensive list of our accounting policies, including those which involve varying degrees of judgment, see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Results of Operations

      The following table sets forth certain financial data as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated: