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What
makes The Sailboat Shop different from other boat dealers:
While we do not get
asked this specific question very much, we get a surprising number of
answers to it from customers from all walks of life as they thank us for
our service and assistance. I thought it might be helpful for some potential
customers to hear why The Sailboat Shop is perhaps a cut above some other
boat shops.
- We have
been in business for 24 years.
That's a long time selling and servicing small sailboats.
- We are
not a marina that that sells boats as a side business. Operating
a marina takes an immense amount of time and effort. Our only focus
is on the sale and service of small sailboats. We are not even located
on a body of water. Highway frontage works best for our purposes.
- We do not
sell powerboats, pontoon boats, or fishing boats and accessories.
We feel that by doing so, we might lose our identity and our claim of
specializing in small sailboats would, at best, become suspect.
- We do not
sell large boats. As many of our customers tell us, large sailboat
dealers do not want to spend the time talking to a young family that
wants their first daysailer. They certainly are not going to understand
the difference between an O'Day Mariner that your family had when you
were a kid and what might be a comparable boat today for your new family.
- We sell
a number of models from a number of manufacturers. Since we
represent four of the top six manufactures of small sailboats in the
United States (over 35 individual models), you can be confident that
we are not going to push a particular make or model on you that you
do not need or want just because it's the only boat line we have.
- We are
one of the only dealers that have a significant used boat inventory.
Some dealers will have trade-ins or a few used boats on their lots out
of necessity rather than part of their business model. We have sold
hundreds and hundreds of used boats over the years--representing a staggering
number of different makes and models. Also worthy of note is that the
used boats for sale are rigged and positioned for display--not tucked
in the back of some marina on some bayou that you do not want to be
near after dark.
- A lot of
boats to see and compare. We pride ourselves in having a large
selection of new and used boats on our lot so a trip out to our shop
is well worth the effort. At the very least, a walk around our yard
and a chat with one of our staff is an education in what types of boats
(size, rigging, keels, cockpits, cabins, etc.) are available and, more
appropriately, right for your needs.
- We are
open year round. Even through the winter we can average one
boat sold each week (new or used). We have found that when someone discovers
the boat they have been looking for at the price they can afford, it
does not matter that we have to shovel the snow off the boat for them
to see it.
- We take
the time to make sure you understand your new or used boat.
We will often spend a couple of hours with a new owner of a new or used
boat putting the mast up, hauling the sails up, and running the motor--all
for no additional charge. Even though we perhaps lose time or money
by doing this, it is much better for us long-term if you are comfortable
with your boat and have an enjoyable time with it rather than getting
frustrated and perhaps lose your enthusiasm for sailing.
- Large geographical
draw. Perhaps because of the above items, we draw customers
(mostly for used boats) from Maine to Florida and halfway across the
US. We have found the Internet knows no geographic limitations. We often
have to politely tell inquiries from the West Coast, South America,
or Europe that shipping that small used boat isn't practical.
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