Boating: Questions answered for boat show passes
I promised y’all if you sent me questions I would try to answer them. You sent and I will do my best to give you the correct answer. Each questioner will receive a FREE pass to the 37th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show Nov. 12-15. Now for the disclaimer! I’m not a lawyer, or a certified mechanic and any answer to any question is for amusement purposes, only.
First Question is from Jean: “BG, where can I get a “Dead End Canal Yacht Club” tee-shirt? My friend has one but can’t remember where from she got it. Thank you, I’ll hang up now and await your reply.”
“Dear Jean, there was only one official ‘DECYC’ tee-shirt made around Christmas ’06 by ‘Luigi’s House of T’s when we had a different Commodore. We are attempting to upgrade the design and have Dan’s Signs make up new ones as orders come in. Thanks for the question and you will receive two day passes to the Fort Myers Fall Boat Show.
Second Question is from Art: “Boat Guy, I have been in the new Semi-truck business for 35 years and even though I am semi-retired I still keep my hand in the business. A large part of the profit in those types of business, and I supposed every new sales business, is service. Yet, I find a woeful disregard for service in a few of the new boat dealers in our area. It is pretty sad to have to leave ones home marina to have timely, proper and skilled service performed on a boat that was purchased at that marina! It is unfathomable to think how much money they have thrown away because of their poor reputation?”
“Hey Art, where do you think you are Wisconsin? This is Southwest Florida and don’t you forget it. We don’t need you northerners coming down here and expecting the same level of service. After all 90 percent of the new boat dealers do offer great service. It’s your tough luck that you fell in with a bad bunch but here are a few things to check for when shopping your next new boat and a good service department.”
“Ask the salesman to introduce you to the service manager before you buy the boat. Read the certificates on the wall in the service writer’s and service manager’s offices. Ask where the service manager worked before and what he did there? Find out where the techs eat lunch and buy one or two a nice sandwich. Pick their brains and observe if they drink beer on their break. If you had completed most of those recommendations we wouldn’t be communicating right now and you’d probably own a different boat!” Thanks for the question and you will receive two day passes to the Fort Myers Fall Boat Show.
Third Question, “Dear boatguy, when will the Channel Mark re-open,” asked Lu Ann.
Thanks for the question, Lu Ann, I have received many such requests. “The Channel Mark may never open again nor will ‘Tim’s Place’ because the business is now under new ownership. Tim Gilbert is gone but Mike still owns the property and the new restaurant that will rise like the ‘Phoenix’ is named ‘Luna Rosa.’ I spoke to a manager a week ago and she told me they hope to open one week from this paper’s distribution date and they will have open docks for patrons. There will be a happy hour, and she will e-mail me updated info about the opening.” Thanks for the question and you will receive two day passes to the Fort Myers Fall Boat Show.
Fourth Question, “Ed, I have been a fan of your bottom paint (Super Shipbottom) for nearly 10 years ever since they applied it at Compass Rose Marina on my 32-foot sailboat; twice on my 34-foot trawler; and finally I am ready to paint the trawler again. But, two boat yards have declined to use your paint despite my insistence that it is great paint, help,” signed loyal and confused.
If any industry in the country can confuse a loyal customer, Mister Loyal, it is the marine industry which has never suffered from over regulation. Your e-mail convinces me and should convince other boaters and boat yard owners that Super Shipbottom is a good paint and would serve them well. It is made in Fort Myers. But you and I are up against big time players who will do everything to get you to use their favorite product so they can get their year-end “bonus!” Keep trying and send me the name of the yards who have declined to use our paint. Come see me at boot B/H 003 at the Fort Myers Fall boat show with the two day passes you get for sending in your Q&A!
Hope to see you ALL at the Fort Myers Fall Boat Show November 12-15.