Hoffmaster's Marina in Woodbridge, VA

Summer 2006

At the Marina
The pile jacketing project on B Pier started Monday, June 5th and is expected to continue until the end of the month. Here’s what to expect: On Mondays, the crew will ask us to move several boats out of their slips for the following reasons: (1) it allows the crew to pressure wash the pilings without getting grime all over the boats, (2) it allows divers access to install the piling jackets, and (3) it gives room for the crew to inject the grout material. Therefore, if you come down in the middle of the week to use your boat you may find it in a different spot.

Dry storage customers in the south field should also take note: as the crew lays out the jackets for use, the jackets temporarily block boats in or take up storage spots. If you intend to use your boat in the middle of the week please call ahead so that we can make sure you have access.

We apologize for any inconveniences. The bottom line is that we are trying to improve the marina while causing the least disturbance possible to our customers and the environment. Our only other alternative would be to close the piers down and send everyone away while we rebuilt the piers which would take well over a year. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact the office.

The Survey Results Are In
We contracted a company called CSI to perform phone interviews of all the slip holders and dry storage customers. Thanks to all the customers that responded. Based on the reports we did receive, we isolated the following areas for opportunity:

1) Two new grilles—we have added one at the bathhouse area and one at the entrance to A pier, each with a scoop and can for catching coals. Since we don’t allow use of grilles on the piers these have been needed for a long time. BYO charcoal and fluid.

2) Gas pump access—I realize it would be more convenient to have pumps at the end of the pier but the truth is that we need the slips. Our insurance is also lower because of where the pumps are located—savings which we in turn pass along to you with the lowest price for 93 octane on our creek.

We also realize it's not just about where the gas pumps are. The fuel area has been full on the weekend the past 2 years forcing people to use the lift slip one at a time. We need the area during the week while the jacketing is going on and people might drop off a boat for service late Sunday but overall it would help a lot if we could just leave the fuel area open entirely. Now that the major pier roof repairs are done we will leave the barge next door at mom's house so we've addressed some of this issue. We have added padding and will add lines and other small changes to help. We will also look at other ways to augment this (24 hour service, etc.).

3) Improve/replace the bathhouse— For now while the pier repair work is going on, we will at least get the doors to close on their own again now that the tenants that were busting the women's room door off it's hinges are gone and also install portable air conditioners to make the bathhouse more comfortable. The new deck work should help with floor cleanliness. I’d like to simply tear that building down and install a mobile bathroom trailer with showers and toilets. I think that would take care of things nicely. Let me know your thoughts.

4) Rebuild the piers/install steps—We are doing this. Over the winter we started by pile jacketing C pier and jacketing the end of A pier. We are redecking the exposed areas of the rest of the docks by priority. We are installing steps where requested. Next we'll save up and redo D pier. A will be the last pier.

5) Improve pier lighting—I hear you. It will be during the off-season but we will replace and improve the pier lighting up to the standard of the bulkhead sport boat slips with more lighting at each slip.

6) Install floating docks—That will be part of the analysis when we do the uncovered pier replacement. We will start by replacing the floating pier behind mom’s house this year so by that we’ll learn the technology. Then we’ll make the decision—assuming sales levels keep the cash flow going.

7) Lines hanging down under the piers—I agree and as we replace the lighting we’ll also straighten up the water lines and electrical.

8) Finger piers extending the entire length of the slip—we are considering allowing this but have backed off on our commitment to do it until the jackets are installed and we know how much beam in the slips we would lose. This is convenient for washing boats but I’d like to get the end of the barge at mom’s house fendered for that purpose now and later have a dock extension for temporary tie up to do this.

9) Improve signage—We are improving that now. By summer’s end we’ll have that completed. It will include labelling the dry storage slots and the slips.

10) Extend refreshment stand hours—problem is ABC and staffing. We would either need to have the refreshment stand located outside the store or staff the store with longer hours. We’ll see where this one leads. I think in the end we should do this but it's going to be 2008. I'd like to talk more with those who suggested it. Maybe I'm over complicating.

11) Dock decking replacement—If you’ve been down to the marina recently, you’ll notice this is going on as we speak.

12) Newsletter—We have instituted an email newsletter that points to this one and will augment it so communication is more effective. We have mailed out a letter asking for email addresses so that we can have everyone's on file.

13) Improve the ramp —We moved the dumpster by the ramp and widened it to make an easier shot for larger boats. If this is a good year we have a plan to get rid of the lip at the end.

We want to reward those that participate in the survey by acting on their suggestions; using those comments to improve our master plan. I don't see a pool happening because the insurance alone would cause rates to go up. That's why an uncovered slip for a 30' boat at PW is $3900/ year in advance. We can't kill the geese; we built the decking so we could hose it off on Sat. AM and we'll most likely gate (but not lock) the piers.

Other News
Be sure to checkout our News and Events page for information about the Northern Virginia Boaters' Swim Platform Party that is coming up and the fireworks at Tim's I in June and again in July at Tim's II.

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, Sales Specialist; 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 9:30am-4:30pm. Weekends by appointment only.
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.