Furloughs for Sea Ray boat plant workers in Tenn.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ About 1,400 workers at three Sea Ray boat plants in East Tennessee will be furloughed for the month of July.

A spokesman for the parent company, recreational equipment maker Brunswick Corp., on Tuesday said interrupting production at the plants in Knox and Monroe Counties reflects "continued weak retail demand for boats."

Spokesman Dan Kubera said employees were notified on Monday the furloughs begin June 30 and they will return to work July 28.

Kubera said the U.S. marine industry "is very challenged right now" due to factors such as the uncertain economy, higher fuel and food prices and the housing slump.

Lake Forest, Ill.-based Brunswick manufactures boats, marine engines, fitness equipment, bowling and billiards products.