and count on rehiring when the seasonal rush begins. Four off season months is a third of a year of retarded activity in many areas - constructive use ought to be made of them. Naturally, everybody needs a vacation after a season of hard work but four months is too much - it's too costly. Solution - an off-season project in the shop to absorb its share of the burden.

Start early enough to plan for off-season service activity - the time most receptive for your particular area. Lead off periodically with an illustrated postal card as suggested here for a starter then follow with a letter at close of the local boating season, detailing more explicitly the details of tune-up, repair or storage available and at what cost. See suggested comments inclosed.

Your owners (customers) generally can be classified into three groups - 1) Boat Riders, 2) Water Skiers and 3) Fishermen. Appeal to each in his respective category as postal card suggestions indicate.

Note: Illustrated suggestions for postal card communications (enclosed) are full postal card size and provided for reproduction of Gov't postal card stock. Simply take the suggested copy to your printer who can "strip in't your name, address and telephone number or alter the text, then reproduce in any desired quantity on the standard 3 penny U.S. Government postal card - which can be purchased at your local Post Office.

Further, everything done now in Service is or ought to be directed towards new motor sales - the real bread and butter end of the business of course, but good service you know is responsible for a majority of repeat sales and new sales too (word gets around). Any motor owner coming in to your shop for assistance or service is a potential new motor prospect - nothing should be left undone to encourage these visits. Your off-season activity will accomplish just this by providing two opportunities at least to discuss a "trade-in" - when the motor is first brought in for tune-up or repair and again in spring, at pick up time.

Don't fail to take advantage of these splendid opportunities for a bit of selling. Something in addition and of significance is accomplished thru an off season program - a "trade-in" transaction completed during spring pick-up leaves you with a motor already in condition for early resale. All there need be done now is to remove the tune-up tag and replace it with your price tag. You've reconditioned a used motor during the normally dull months, sold a new one and have a used motor available for immediate sale - beats taking a "Raw" trade-in later on and attempting to recondition for resale during the rush of the season, Boats and trailer too ought to be considered as a segment of the over - all program.

Posters (for the store and shop) like those enclosed are easily duplicated in any desired size. Obtain poster stock from your printer - lettering is freehand with a marking tube purchased from the local stationary store. Anyone can do it - doesn't even require a steady hand. You can't go wrong with a good, well planned off-season service program.