Arctic Cat  to Be Acquired by Textron in $247 Million All-Cash Transaction

*Delivers substantial all-cash premium to Arctic Cat shareholders;

*Textron committed to continued, long-term growth of Arctic Cat;

*Combined businesses better positioned to be powersports industry leader

Click to read the financial release.

Last Friday, while getting his sled and himself ready for this weekend’s USXC race on Pine Lake in Gonvick, Minn., 18-year-old Hunter Houle suffered a crash on his snowmobile and died a short time later.

For friends and acquaintances that want to celebrate his life and share their love with Hunter’s brothers Lucas, Jeremy and Larry, sister Jenna, his dad Steve and his mom Charlene, there will be a visitation on Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 4-8pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, Minn.

As well, Hunter’s funeral is from 10-11am on Wed., Jan. 11, also at Hosanna (9300 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN 55025).

I have some thoughts I’m going to share about Hunter here on ArcticInsider, but I’m not ready yet.

Just in time for the gifting season, Tucker Hibbert just released his 2017 line of merchandise, giving fans (and dogs) a chance to wear and use some sweet gear.

From Hoodies to T-shirts and onesies (that Otis dog LOVES to wear) to hats, beanies, coffee mugs and more, there's something for every fan.

Click for some cool pix and info on how to stock up.

If you're a fan of snowmobile racing and appreciate stunning photography that captures the action and the actors, then this year's Flight 365 Photo Annual is truly a must-have.

The third volume book is at the printer and will be available in time for Christmas. For Arctic Cat fans in particular, there are major features on Zach Herfindahl and Dale Lindbeck, as well as the sport in general.

It's large format 13 x 10 x 1-in. and only $10!

This is one of those books you love, keep, and then keep loving for decades.

Click for more info. Or click the photo above to order one.

Want to know the easiest way to save the world from the dark forces of destruction?

Unleash the inner-super hero snowmobiler in your kid with a Comic T-Shirt from Arctic Cat.

Yep, it's that simple. Click for more world-saving info.

If you're one of those snowmobilers who use your knees to squeeze and rest against the plastic console around the fuel tank of Arctic Cat ProCross or ProClimb models, having a pair of Tank Pads will put a smile on your face.

Extra comfort, extra grip!

Click for some info.

From a bird's-eye perspective, it's looking like winter in the U.S. and Canada.

For more in-depth snow analysis, CLICK HERE to jump to the NOAA snow depth web site.

How to get your favorite Arctic Cat rider a sweet gift for the holidays AND avoid getting trampled by a Black Friday rush for a discounted television:

Cat's Pride Club membership!

You give (or get) a quality performance pullover; hat; and membership pin with free shipping.

Click for more info.

Oh my! Check out the sweet Colby-drone footage of the 200-plus antique and vintage snowmobiles that are up for auction on Nov. 26 in Zumbrota, Minn.

Then click for more info.

Arctic Cat recently attended the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas, where several custom-built machines were on display along with demo rides of the new Wildcat X with RG Pro suspension platforms.

Click to see some of the machines.

Today Arctic Cat Reported its Fiscal 2017 Second Quarter Results.

Summarized by a non-financial writer who barely made it through high school math classes: the company is still losing money as it faces tougher circumstances than originally forecast; the powersports market is still soft; there is still too much dealer inventory. 

Here's how Cat says it:  

-Second quarter net sales totaled $164.6 million;

-Net loss $0.98 per share;

-Continued progress made on strategies to reposition company, including signing two strategic partnerships;

-Commitment letter signed to extend and increase revolving bank agreement to $130 million year round to support future growth initiatives;

-Company lowers fiscal 2017 revenue and EPS outlook on weaker powersports market, increased promotional costs and unfavorable product mix

Last week Arctic Cat announced its renewal partnership with the National FFA Organization (FFA), an organization it first partnered with last year.

The goal is to assist a great organization in helping young people to develop their potential for leadership, personal greowth and career success through agriculture education.

Since agriculture is foundational to this country, I believe FFA is a dang important organization. Thus I'm pleased that Cat is helping the cause.

Click for the press release.

When it comes to customization, billet aluminum has a substantive, enduring appeal.

That was the inspiration behind an array of new billet snowmobile accessories for 2017.

Click for the down-low.

Recently, D&D Racing out of Lowville, NY, uncrated a 2017 Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Cross Country with the new 9000 Series Turbo, put it on their dyno and let 'er rip.

The result: 205 horsepower and 127 ft.-lbs. of torque.

I'm just sayin'...

Yummy!

Let's fact it, Tucker Hibbert himself might look kinda...well...goofy*.

But the sweet threads he wears while shredding the snocross circuit are cool as can be.

Likewise, so is the Team Arctic Hibbert jacket available to us mortals for 2017.

Click for the details.

*Just kidding Tucker, you look more like Pluto

Last month at Hay Days, Arctic Cat first announced thier pro Black Cats Backcountry team of Rob Kincaid, David McClure, Cory Davis and Brett Turcotte (all pictured above).

Today they've added six more riders to the pro lite roster: Luke Nokelby, Cooper Street, Morgan Gamache, Jordan Nieters, Levi Johnson and Taylor Meuwissen.

Welcome to the team, guys!

Click for more details.

Vintage Arctic Cat fans like myself can dress up in something that will make us smarter, more handsome (or beautiful), capable of whipping out 50 one-handed push-ups AND shred the gnar (whatever that means).

Yep, all that and the smile that comes from wearing something that's dang cool.

Click for the dealio.

Hand Guards with built-in LED lights?

Yep. And they're pretty novel too.

I first saw them being tested by Arctic Cat field test riders last season. Now they're available from Cat dealers.

Click to read about them.

In addition to unveiling two race sleds for 2017 at Hay Days last weekend, Arctic Cat also unveiled the M 9000 King Cat: a 162-in. track mountain machine powered by the new 9000-Series turbo triple 4-stroke.

The newest bodywork...the exclusive auto-adjusting TEAM clutch system...lowered driveshaft...narrower running boards...revised bellypan for a further-forwad foot placement...for a certain type of deep snow rider, this machine is the ultimate answer to their deep snow prayers.

Click to high mark all the key info.

Leave it to Arctic Cat to be the first OEM to debut a purpose-built snocross race sled with EFI.

Yep, snocross race sled engine technology just leaped into the 21st century.

Click for all the details on the 2017 ZR 6000R SX snocross race whip.