" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
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"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
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On Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:31:06 -0400, " JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT
comREMOVETHIS wrote:

A good marina will provide service for you even if you have never
utilized
any of their optional services in the past.....they would be silly not
to.

That's true, but the difference is if I call with a problem, or like
what happened on my previous Contender (major gouge by some transient
nimrod), it is taken care of immediately. I have a long term
relationship with these guys and they are very attentive to their
clients who utilize their services. I have my boat on a regular haul
basis once a month - bottom wash, hull wash, back in water.

And if you want to do something yourself, half the time they will just
jump in and help - no charge.

It's a win-win situation.

Some guy off the street might not get that kind of immediate service.

Even though I do most of the work on my boat myself, I have never been
turned down in the past for timely service when it was something I could
not do or needed advice on. Never.

I have also had excellent relationships with the owners and employees of
marinas I have docked at in the past.


Our marina has several hundred boats. Maybe a thousand. Maybe more. I
don't know for sure.
There are about 14 full time techs that work for the marina. The number
includes a mixture of certified diesel, gas and outboard engine techs, plus
others that refurbish and repair fiberglass and wood. Then, there are others
that work on boat systems in general, water systems, heads, etc. In order
to maintain this level of service, they all need to be generating revenue
for the marina otherwise their positions can not be justified. So, by
utilizing some of the marina services during slow repair periods, you help
the marina maintain a level of capability and response during the more
hectic times.

I've gotten to know several of the techs at the marina we are at. They try
to be responsive to everybody's service requests, but when it gets busy
during the summer months it's well established that customers that utilize
their services for some of the basics during the slow periods get priority
in terms of response time. In our case, with two boats at the marina, once
of which stayed in the water all winter, it is also comforting to know that
the boats are being looked after in our absence, which they do. They do an
excellent job.

On this subject, but away from the main discussion, Mrs.E. was on a mission
during the winter months to refurbish her little GB and the marina staff
did the work. The results are amazing. The boat looks like a model with
all the exterior teak and brightwork redone, and the rest of the boat
cleaned, detailed and waxed. A new full enclosure for the flybridge plus a
new refrigerator and stove top were added as well. In addition, half of the
below water level seacocks and fittings were replaced (the other half will
be done next winter). They really did a super job. All that remains is
waiting for the interior seat cushions to come back from being
reupholstered, and for the new mattresses to arrive for the forward and aft
beds. Sanding and varnish of the interior woodwork be next and we will
probably do most of that ourselves.

If I get down there sometime in the next few days I'll try to remember to
bring the camera and take a few pics.

RCE