Story by Bob Bartels

Kilgore, TX – Skeeter Products, Inc., manufacturer of Skeeter brand boats, recently announced that its “Real Money” tournament incentive program has surpassed the $1 million mark, reaching this milestone in only 2 ½ years – making payouts to thousands of Skeeter owners who fish on the grassroots level.

“Our Real Money program is successful because we make it easy to participate,” says Skeeter’s Director of Marketing, Trey White. “We have thousands of tournaments sanctioned, and continue adding to this number. All our owners have to do is register, fish and win,” says White.

Skeeter, celebrating its 60 th Anniversary throughout 2008, initiated its “Real Money” program in 2006, and during that year, the company paid out more than $305,000 to its owners. In 2007, that figure jumped to more than $520,000, and the company has already paid out approximately $175,000 in 2008.

“What is impressive about this payout amount is that it does not include our professional anglers. All of this money was won by our owners at grassroots tournaments, such as Bass Champs, the Skeeter Eliminator Series, the Central Pro Am, B.I.T.E., and the Skeeter/Yamaha Tour, among thousands of others. Unlike our competitors, Skeeter’s program has no strings attached, and other boat companies are now following our lead,” say White.

Skeeter’s “Real Money” program is the only contingency program currently offered that has no limit on the age of the boat used to fish a tournament – encouraging owners to help celebrate Skeeter’s long heritage. For 2008, the “Real Money” program features three levels of payouts:

$3,000 Cash: Fish and win a sanctioned Skeeter tournament using your 2008 Skeeter boat powered by a 225 hp Yamaha engine or larger.

$2,000 Cash: Fish and win a sanctioned Skeeter tournament using your 2008 Skeeter boat powered by a 200 hp Yamaha engine, or fish and win with a 2007 Skeeter boat powered by a 225 hp or larger Yamaha engine.

$1,000 Cash: Fish and win a sanctioned Skeeter tournament using your Skeeter boat powered by a Yamaha engine.

Skeeter owner Steve Addington of Dallas, North Carolina has been one of the “Real Money” program’s most successful anglers in 2008, winning $4,000 for his tournament victories on the National Bass Tour and the Lake Norman Spring Trail. “It’s a win-win situation, as I’m running the best bass boat on the market, and each time I fish a tournament, I’ve got the opportunity to win money,” says Addington, who runs a 21i-Class. “Over the past two years, I’ve witnessed the growth of the Skeeter brand in our area, as many local anglers have switched from competitor’s boats. Skeeter is great because the company supports its owners on a national level, and it has a great network of dealers like Foothills Marine to support us on the local level,” Addington says.

Skeeter dealers like Team Marine in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, utilize the “Real Money” program as a promotional tool. “We’ve capitalized on the “Real Money” program by ensuring that almost every tournament in our area is sanctioned by the program,” says Jason Hale of Team Marine. “If you had the time, you could win $3,000 every weekend. It impresses non-Skeeter owners to see the support behind the Skeeter brand,” Hale added. “We also take the opportunity to promote our tournament winners, using our dealership as a trophy room, and showing potential customers that the “Real Money” program is just that – real.” says Hale.

The 2008 “Real Money” program runs until December 31, 2008. For a registration form, qualifying guidelines, rules and regulations, and a list of sanctioned tournaments, visit www.skeeterboats.com. 

Skeeter Products, Inc. makes fishing and boating fun and rewarding with owner’s tournaments, tournament incentives, and a top-notch dealer network. Skeeter, celebrating its 60th Anniversary, manufactures innovative and high-performing bass, walleye, fish & ski and saltwater boats. Skeeter is the recipient of six consecutive CSI customer satisfaction awards, and its boats are NMMA certified to meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and American Boat & Yacht Council standards. To order a catalog call (800) SKEETER, or visit www.skeeterboats.com.

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