MINNEAPOLIS – When it comes to buying a boat, prospects are given an endless number of resources to make the best decision. When it comes to choosing the right dealership – an equally important decision – consumers have lacked this same guidance. But thanks to Boating Industry magazine’s seventh-annual Top 100 Dealers program, buyers now have insight into the most dependable and professional dealerships with which to do business.

While powerboat unit sales continued to decline in 2010, the Top 100 Dealers, added together, increased their revenue nearly 9 percent to $957 million – $1.51 billion, if you include Top 100 Dealers Hall of Fame Members MarineMax Inc. and Galati Yacht Sales. Together, those dealers account for more than 15 percent of the boating market, and they collectively boast almost 300 retail locations and 5,079 employees.

Although this group of dealers is quantitatively impressive, their feats go beyond the numbers. Overall business operations, customer service, marketing and professionalism have not only kept these dealers in business while so many of their peers have fallen, but also allowed them to excel and grow market share.

“Boating Industry’s Top 100 Dealers Program is not about the dealers that sell the most marine products and services,” said Liz Walz, editor-in-chief of Boating Industry. “Rather, it’s a resource for consumers looking to have the best boat ownership experience, from boats, parts and accessories sales to service, storage and more.”

Topping the list for the second-consecutive year is Prince William Marine Sales, Inc., based in Woodbridge, Va., followed by, also for the second consecutive year, Austin, Texas-based Sail & Ski Centers and Gordy’s Lakefront Marine, Fontana, Wis. Rounding out the Top Five is M&P Mercury Sales, Ltd., Burnaby, British Columbia, and South Portland, Maine-based Port Harbor Marine, respectively.

To honor the 2011 Top 100 Dealers, more than 380 people joined Boating Industry at a black-tie celebration Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando.

The celebration capped off the Top 100 process, which began when more than 4,000 applications were distributed to dealers throughout North America last spring. In all, 233 applications were reviewed by Boating Industry’s editorial staff, assessing answers to questions that were both of a quantitative and qualitative and addressed all aspects of marine dealer operations.

“Inclusion on the Top 100 Dealers list is a marketing tool that can be leveraged to drive new consumers into a dealer’s showroom or service shop,” explained Mike Davin, senior editor of Boating Industry magazine, “and boost the confidence of prospects who are trying to determine where to spend their discretionary dollars.”

Boating Industry recognized five Top 100 Dealers with a Best In Class award, acknowledging their top ranking in one of five categories. Destin, Fla.-based Legendary Marine (ranked 16) was recognized as the Most Improved Top 100 Dealer. George’s Marine & Sports (ranked 19) of Ottawa, Ontario, received a Best In Class award for Best Marketing Plan. The Best Lead Fulfillment award went to South Portland, Maine-based Port Harbor Marine (ranked 5). Lynnhaven Marine (ranked 20) of Virginia Beach, Va., was recognized with the Best Employee Incentives & Recognition award. The Best Technician Compensation Plan award went to Seattle-based Seattle Boat Co.

To help bring the Boating Industry Top 100 to life, Good Sam Enterprises, the magazine’s parent company, created the Leadership Alliance, an elite group of the marine industry’s leading suppliers. These companies were invited to participate because they possess, as one of their corporate values, a true belief in and commitment to raising the bar of professionalism across all marine industry sectors, and particularly for dealers.

Here is Boating Industry magazine’s list of the 2011 Top 100 Dealers:

1. Prince William Marine Sales Inc.
2. Sail & Ski Centers Inc.
3. Gordy’s Lakefront Marine Inc.
4. M&P Mercury Sales Ltd.
5. Port Harbor Marine
6. Parks Marina
7. Strong’s Marine LLC
8. Buckeye Marine
9. Pride Marine Group
10. Singleton Marine Group
11. Quality Boats
12. Russell Marine
13. Seattle Boat Co.
14. Russo Marine
15. Hall Marine Group
16. Legendary Marine
17. Woodard Marine Inc.
18. Lake Union Sea Ray
19. George’s Marine & Sports
20. Lynnhaven Marine
21. BMC Boats
22. Kelly’s Port
23. Hampton Watercraft and Marine
24. Bosun’s Marine Inc.
25. Action Water Sports
26. Vallely Sport & Marine
27. Austin Boats and Motors Inc.
28. The Sportsman
29. Rayburn’s Marine World Ltd.
30. South Shore Marine
31. Hayes Marine
32. Tobler Marina
33. Marine Center of Indiana Inc.
34. Boaters Exchange
35. Spring Brook Marina Inc.
36. Gage Marine
37. Paris Marine Ltd.
38. Boats Inc.
39. Parker Boat Company Inc.
40. Colorado Boat Center
41. Reed’s Marine Inc.
42. Atwood Lake Boats Inc.
43. Rambo Marine
44. South Austin Marine
45. Dry Dock Marine Center Inc.
46. Wayzata Marine Inc.
47. Boat Town Inc.
48. Town & Country Marine
49. The Boat Shop
50. Oak Hill Marina Inc.
51. WakeSide Marine
52. B&E Marine Inc.
53. Traverse Bay Marine Inc.
54. Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina
55. Lodder’s Marine Sales
56. Hoffmaster’s Marina Inc.
57. Sea Ray of Cincinnati & Louisville
58. Redline Watersports
59. Saratoga Boatworks Inc.
60. Liquid Sports Marine
61. Candlewood East Marina
62. Hardin Marine Arrowhead
63. Castaway Marina LLC
64. Vincent Payne Marine Ltd.
65. Clark Marine
66. Don’s Marine LLC
67. Texas Marine
68. Midwest MasterCraft
69. Port Sandfield Marina
70. Deep Creek Marina
71. Causeway Marine
72. Laurel Marina
73. Baert Marine Inc.
74. Gone Fishin’ Marine Inc.
75. Hurst Marina Ltd.
76. Irwin Marine
77. Miami Nautique International
78. Marine Specialties
79. Jet Ski of Miami & Fisherman’s Boat Group
80. Shipyard Marine
81. Marine Center of Las Vegas
82. Omaha Marine Center
83. Sundance Marine Inc.
84. Dockside Marine Centre Ltd.
85. Grand Pointe Marine of Lansing
86. Performance Marine
87. Clear Lake Boats
88. Marina Fortin
89. Skyline Marina
90. Advantage Yacht Sales
91. Farm Island Repair & Marine
92. Ski & Sports Inc.
93. Power Boats Inc.
94. Marine Sales of Pickwick
95. Davey’s Marine Center
96. Cleveland Boat Center
97. Short’s Marine Inc.
98. Dri-Port
99. Galey’s Marine
100. Williams Brothers Ski & Sports