INDUSTRY LEADERS JOIN FORCES, IN NEW WAY TO SELL BOATS:

PORTLAND, OR. – BigWake Inc, a sales and distribution company for new power boats, has teamed up with Sport-Craft Boats Inc., Florida’s leading supplier of offshore sport fishing boats, and West Marine (Nasdaq: WMAR) the nation's largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and services, to make regionally best-selling boats available nationally.

According to industry trade group NMMA, few of the over 1,500 US boat manufacturers enjoy nationwide distribution and economies of scale. Yet regional manufacturers routinely get enquiries from would-be customers who reside outside their current distribution coverage. Handling those sales, without prohibitive hassles on both sides, has been a long-standing problem, since distribution networks typically take long periods of time to expand. BigWake provides manufacturers with an efficient platform to immediately fulfill demand from “out of network.”

“We see the current uncertain industry environment as a strong opportunity for Sport-Craft Boats to build on its 45-year heritage. With BigWake, we are rapidly expanding our ability to deliver and support our boats in new markets nationwide,” said Ken Hall, President of Sport-Craft Boats. “Our 272 SPORTFISH™ model is the number one seller on the East Coast, and we look forward to achieving the same standing on the West Coast through BigWake’s aggressive marketing and distribution program.”

BigWake functions as a “virtual dealer,” by means of its broad array of partnerships. Boats are brought directly in front of buyers through an aggressive schedule of boat shows, boating events and a mobile boat show that displays the boats in front of popular West Marine retail stores. A schedule of current viewing locations is maintained on the BigWake website. To address rigging and post-sale service, BigWake has teamed up with well-established, high-quality boat service companies throughout the country that commission each new boat, offer operating instructions and provide manufacturer-approved ongoing servicing and maintenance.

“BigWake’s emphasis is totally customer-first,” says BigWake CEO Adrian Russell-Falla. “Consumers tell us they want clear, up-front pricing, freedom from “sales-guy” games, convenient packaged solutions – and better access to a broader range of select high-quality products. They also expect to receive high-quality service after the sale from a responsive, dedicated source. BigWake delivers all those things, thanks to our nationwide network of certified service partners.”

The company makes the experience of buying a new boat fast and fun, by putting the power in the consumer’s hands. New boat buying transactions, from walk-in to final order, often take between 8-30 hours of salesperson interaction. This time-consuming process is significantly reduced with BigWake’s easy-to-use, point-and-click web site. The site includes 3rd party reviews, outfitting guides, insurance, financing, and a boat configurator that lets buyers select different options, to see how they affect the final price and even calculate monthly payments.

BigWake is building strong partnerships with key industry leaders. Its relationship with West Marine, which offers the highest quality marine accessories available anywhere, allows consumers who purchase any BigWake boat to take advantage of a $500 “shopping spree” at any West Marine outlet. Ganis Credit Corporation, one of the largest marine lenders in the country, offers full-featured financing and special promotions. World Publications, Inc., the largest independent publisher of marine magazines with over 14 titles, is the mainstay for BigWake’s array of content and product reviews.

BigWake will present Sport-Craft boats at the Fred Hall Boat Show in Long Beach, CA, March 7-11, 2001.

For further information, please contact Adrian Russell-Falla, CEO, at (503)-221-0400 x101 or visit www.bigwake.com