Spring 2006
At the Marina
People ask me what we do during the slow times at the marina. My official answer now is: What slow time? Maybe there is one for a dealership that is either fully developed or not developing as it should but for us, we just work on through. There's a difference between
being busy and making money though, so maybe I should say that even though we work our butts off we still lose money. At any rate, as soon as Labor Day ended we had a crew jacketing the C pier pilings and reworking the tee on A pier. Since they finished up we have been constructing the deck from B pier to the ramp (see photos). That of course has been a huge project but when it's done the customers with boats along the seawall will be a lot happier, we'll have more water access, and people from A Pier will be able to get to the bathhouse much more easily. Additonal plans are to:
• redo the parking island in front of the store to increase parking between B and C piers
• install benches along the parking perimeter so people can look out over the water
• put the Foss' grille to good use, and
• widen the ramp for launching boats.
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We have been held back on roof repairs by the heavy and frequent winds, but should have them done by the time boating season is in full swing.
This all means a good bit of concrete pouring, carpentry, and general spiffing up of the place. We'll be running hard right up to Memorial Day but we've hired more people to try to get this done.
Left: Chaparral display at the Washington Boat Show; right: Cobalt display at the National Capital Show.
Other Improvements
Boat Show season is over—thank goodness! We met tons of great people but we missed home and being in the routine of trying to improve the marina. In that regard, we have been pursuing NMMA certification at best possible speed (hindered by shows). You may get tired of the number of survey calls you get but here's what we're putting in place:
1. Two calls for every work ticket—one when the job is completed and a second as a follow-up a week later. The phone calls go into a log so we know we've tried to contact you.
2. Development of a 2-part work order form so you can have a copy for your records. Remember—when you place a work or parts order using hoffmasters.com, save the form as a pdf just before submission so that you have a copy. Otherwise, just request a copy and we'll get you one.
3. If you buy a boat from us, you'll get a follow up call from an independent firm asking how we did.
4. Once a year every slip or dry storage holder will be surveyed to help us create a honey-do list for people, processes, and services. CSI services has been contacted for this effort.
5) You will also receive surveys from NMMA and Chaparral and Cobalt, and possibly JD Powers. Please participate. Low participation by our boat buyers in the NMMA survey hurts us.
So you may get tired of the phone calls. If we hear you're getting overwhelmed please let us know. All we're trying to do is get better.
Looking Forward
I'm really looking forward to the coming boating season. We just had the Spring Kickoff party, Jeff Atwood and Terry Verity flipped burgers—mostly Terry although Jeff took a lot of the credit—and we rallied to get this party started! I've already heard from a customer who read the last newsletter and wants to participate in an outing for special needs kids that could use a day on the water. All the guys I work with are really pumped and running like crazy so we don't fall too far behind. The other boat dealers and river-based businessmen I talk to are really optimistic about this coming year.
So here's to the new season! We've got a ton of stuff coming up on the river including:
• April 8 cake cutting for our 52nd birthday
• May 13th and 20th Steve Thompson conducts Coast Guard Courtesy Exams
• May 13th Anniversary party with live music and kids stuff to do
• May 13th ORMA Blessing of Fleet.
It won't be long now—we are de-winterizing and delivering boats already and the yard is in full swing! May this 2006 boating season be one full of fun, family, togetherness, adventure and relaxation for everyone who reads this. And NO HURRICANES!
Joe
Contact Information
Joe Hoffmaster—Sales Manager, General Manager, Sales Specialist new boats. M, T,W, and F
8am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm.
Martha Hoffmaster—Chief Financial Officer; M, T, Th and F 8:30am-11am, 12:30pm-3pm.
Judy Chilcot—Accounts Receivables, billing questions, and boat sales; M-F 8:30am-4pm.
Terry Verity, Service Writer, Jeff Atwood, Parts Manager—Parts and service questions, Cobalt sales; M-F; 8am-4pm.
Charles Hedrick—Sales Specialist; M, W, Th, and F 8:30am-4pm; Sat 10am-4pm; Sun Noon-4pm or by appointment.
Tracey Crowell—Parts and Accessories; M-F 8:30am-4pm.
Sam Childress—Lead Tech/Foreman M-F; 8am-4pm.
David Brigante—Delivery Specialist, compliance, ship's sytems M-F; 8am-4pm.
John Louisor—Marine Coatings specialist, lead lift operator, ship's systems M-F; 8am-4pm.
Dave McMillan—Volvo Penta Certified Tech, Fiberglass Repair, ship's systems M-F; 8am-4pm.
Jon Hanner—Volvo Penta Certified Tech, Electronics and Electrical Specialist M-F; 8am-4pm.
For Service and parts orders and follow-up, call Terry or Jeff. On the weekends leave Terry notes. Parts order forms and work order forms are located on the parts counter. Anybody in the store can assist you with this.
To put your boat up on brokerage or to get a value call Chuck.
If you have a question about your bill call Judy.
