Boat retailer profitable again

CLEARWATER — After losing roughly $4.5 million in the first three months of 2011, boat retailer MarineMax Inc. (symbol: HZO) rebounded in its most recently concluded quarter, posting profits of $3.4 million.

Revenues increased 33% for MarineMax over the year, from $115 million to $153 million, causing its operating income to more than triple, from $1.2 million in the spring of 2010 to $3.9 million this year.

“It appears the customer is returning,” says MarineMax CEO William McGill, despite a continued lack of overall confidence among most consumers.