Boat Guide has just learned that Southland, a Quebec-based pontoon boat builder, recently halted its activities and has begun to liquidate its assets. After being hard hit by the economic crisis, this manufacturer has been operating at a loss for several years.
Another factor making survival difficult for Canadian boat builders is fact that the Canadian loonie is nearly on par with American dollar. Canadian companies are having a tough time rivalling the fierce competition from American manufacturers, whose boats have suddenly dropped in price as a result of our soaring currency.
Founded in 1992, Southland specialized in building pontoon boats and, more recently, in hybrid RVs (recreational vehicles that can be used on land and on water).