Summer 2007
Actually summer doesn’t start until June 22nd but it’s sure been hot enough to be summer! Lots of people are going for rides and unfortunately some have already had some boo boo’s. Here’s some advice that I think will help:
- Your first ride of the season is not the time to blaze new trails. Start with short rides, for example, to the power lines and back and only anchor where you know you have deep water. The most common problem people encounter is running aground where they think they remembered water but there isn’t.
- The first rides help you to check over everything to make sure it works properly. You don’t want to have something silly happen when you’ve got 8 guests aboard the boat.
- Act like you’ve forgotten everything you knew and go get a chart to study. Reacquaint yourself with the river in this way (hopefully with a neighbor boater sharing the beverage of your choice) and it goes a long way to making things go smoothly.
Anniversay Party
Thanks to almost the entire Hedrick clan for making this a success! Mike Hedrick’s Pit Pirates BBQ catered the party with his slow cooked chicken, pulled pork, and all the fixin’s. Terry Hedrick and his wife Theresa’s classic rock band gave us 3 hours of good time music. Proud papa Chuck was in his glory seeing so many members of his family pitch in so everyone could have such a good time. Jeff Atwood hit the nail on the head with a much bigger and improved moonbounce. Unfortunately, I was helping troubled boaters and never got in the bounce myself—but I’ll be back!
Around the Marina
We completed the work to the travel lift and now it’s capable of hauling 381’s and 427’s again. As of this writing, it looks like the pile drivers will finally be done by 6/22 and we can get the pier lights back on where they’ve been working. In their defense they hit a lot of obstacles but the pilings look terrific! Now that the heavy work is done we’re back to landscaping and painting. We hired 4 full-time teens and plan to keep one year around so we can expedite this process.
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Referral Program
Although most of you don’t ask for a benny in return for referring customers to us, we do try to show our appreciation for those people that evangelize for the marina on our behalf and send new customers our way. After talking with the top 3 evangelizers, Hoffmaster's has decided to pledge to all of our customers bringing in new clientel that we will make a donation to your favorite charity. If you refuse that acknowledgement, we will instead make a donation to one of our favorite charities—Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Lorton Community Action Center or Make a Wish Foundation. I want to emphasize that Hoffmaster’s Marina has no desire to bribe present customers to bring in new ones. Hundreds of dollars are donated to these charities each year on behalf of those who refer customers to us. We just don’t tell you we did it if you asked us not to.
Summer Clearance
We have a Summer Clearance Sale beginning soon on all floor models. If you had an estimate in with one of the salespeople it would pay to check back with them. It's time to stop selling off of the present inventory and to start clearing boats out to make room for the '08 models which arrive in the Fall. Additional incentives are available for boats that will slip elsewhere and those purchases not requiring a trade-in.
Upcoming Events
Beginners Cruise to Goose Bay Marina is slated for July 21st. This is a separate cruise from the Float In at Port of Kinsale sponsored by the Potomac River Yacht Clubs. Our cruise is designed for people with cuddy cabin boats and cruisers that have never been on an overnighter at a marina before. Goose Bay is about 1.5 hours down river and it has campsites, a pool, and nice bathhouses. It is Caribbean Night at Goose Bay—they will have a live band and we will have dinner catered in. Jeff Atwood, your master of ceremonies, will have a campsite there. We’ll raft up, camp up, party, and plan to come back home on Sunday. If interested call Jeff or email him at jeff@hoffmasters.com
Travel News
Tim’s Rivershore is back with the deck fully reopened! Sally and I went there a couple weeks ago during the week for lunch. We talked with Tim and his father Vern. We ate crab balls, steamed shrimp, and the waitress made me martinis herself—they were on the spot terrific! Tim’s promotes many activities on the Potomac River and they are best friends to us boaters so please check them out at www.timsrivershore.com and give them some business!
We had a lot of boats go on cruises over Memorial Day Weekend. Occoquan Yacht Club cruised to Colonial Beach and stayed at Colonial Beach Yacht Center. The reports I got: They’ve spent a lot of money on the place rebuilding the docks, there’s deep water, some transient slips available under cover, the bath houses are great, and the restaurant serves good food although the kitchen can become overwhelmed.
The marina sets up golf cart rentals, which are an officially sanctioned way to get around town. There are several other restaurants available that offer variety, light gambling, or a little nightlife; bed and breakfasts and motels for those who are coming in runabouts or who are ready to kiss the ground; and last but not least, a beautiful beach that is well maintained. I have several reviews in and this is a great place to visit. For more info visit CBYC’s website at www.colbchyachtcenter.com.
Coles Point has almost got its' food service issues worked out. The good news is that the folks who ran the sports bar around the corner in Bransons Cove have taken over the restaurant. The bad news is that they’ve had health problems in the family which have made it difficult to get things completely off the ground and running. We'd like to hear from you—please email us about your visits to these or any other places you may journey to on the Potomac. We need your input! I’ll probably give it a try myself.
One parting idea on travel: The Mount Holly Steamboat Inn is a beautiful bed and breakfast with a weekend brunch and dock space for those that rent rooms or come in to eat. You can visit them at www.mount-holly.com. I’d love to hear reviews of this place.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Joe Hoffmaster—Sales Manager, General Manager, Sales Specialist new boats; M, T, W, and F
8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Martha Hoffmaster—Head Mom
Judy Chilcot—Accounts Receivables, billing questions, and boat sales; M–F 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Terry Verity—Service Writer, parts and service questions; M–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jeff Atwood—Sales Specialist; T–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. or by appointment
Charles Hedrick—Sales Specialist; M, W, Th, and F 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun. noon–4 p.m. or by appointment
Tracey Crowell—Parts and Accessories; M–F 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sam Childress—Lead Tech/Foreman; M–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
David Brigante—Delivery Specialist, compliance, ship's sytems; M–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
John Louisor—Marine Coatings specialist, lead lift operator, ship's systems; M–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Dave McMillan—Volvo Penta Certified Tech, Fiberglass Repair, ship's systems; M–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Jon Hanner—Volvo Penta Certified Tech, Electronics and Electrical Specialist; M–F 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
For Service and parts orders and follow-up, call Terry or Tracey. On the weekends leave Terry notes. Parts order forms and work order forms are located on the parts counter or online. 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.
