EQ Marine

I think we read too much into the relationship between the C-Brats and C-Dory Marine. I certainly feel we overestimate the value they place on our group, although I do believe the value is much greater than they know.

Ricardo asked me at the boat show if I was a C-Brat. It's OK for him to forget, I suppose, it has been a few years since we first met. I told him I was a member on here and my boat name. He seemed to remember hearing something about me. At the factory party, after C-Cakes Barry so graciously lavished his praises upon Bill and me, Ricardo came over to our table and thanked me for the beer. The beer?? I do not have any delusions of anything, but it does seem rather odd that the VP of a company whose advertising budget is significantly lessened by a web group wouldn't make a point of knowing who owns the domain name. Now he's probably got David and Pat ticked off, too.

It was another fantastic party for us, though. And I remain genuinely grateful for their hospitality and recognition of the fine people here.
 
YACD : I'm glad you have had a good experience with Sail Annapolis.
Honda doesn't list them on their web site. I'm going to have to take another run over there, find parking somewhere and talk to them first hand and find out where their work yard is located.

My comment about CD losing good dealers and replacing them with question marks was not to imply SA had inferior service, (location aside)just that EQ & Cutter had a history of good service and the replacement dealers are not well known on this site.

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion.

Allan
 
You did not buy two pieces of S*&^ - you bought two great boats. Enjoy them! There are two completely separate issues - one is some QC stuff - nothing made by man is perfect, but it seems it was exacerbated in their very fast ramp up to high production levels. The fact remains that the factory has stood behind their warranty throughout it all. The other issue is the C-Dory business model. Nobody was a bigger critic of their changes in this regard that I was. I have said all I am going to say on that, I think things have clearly improved in the last year, although as the dealer issue shows, it is not all a bed of roses. Above all, I am reassured that Scot and Rich at least understand the significance and value to the company of C-Brats, whether or not Ricardo does, which was the main thing that was in jeopardy when they were acting like they wanted to be Bayliner. The information about Ricardo and Madison Bay holdings is interesting, will take some time to digest.


boodalu":1w08s4uz said:
I get confused reading this thread and others like it. About a year ago I discovered the C-dory and the C-Brat site and read everything I could. The positive passion of the C-Brat members was a large part of the reason I bought a 255 TomCat. Heck, I was so convinced I also bought a 16' Cruiser. I got to put about 40 hours on the TomCat before the boating season ended and had a blast and no problems with the boat. I just picked up the 16 and its killing me their is ice on the Mississippi where I am. Then I read threads like this and wonder if I bought two pieces of S*&^. Right now, I am going to remain a "half glass full" kind of guy and hope like hell C-Dory remains successful. Maybe I can convince my wife to move the TomCat to Chicago (Lake Michigan); use the 16 to go "lake hopping" and get another C-Dory for the Mississippi (everyone seems to LOVE the 22) ;-)
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It gets curiouser and curiouser
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venture_29_thumb.jpg
 
OH No.... the 29 flipped in traffic ....


You know, I really thought I was on a link about EQ.... :mrgreen:


Interesting when we see Tom Latham run thru, now CEO of many things Richardo pop up. Wonder who will be at the factory party next year?

Thanks for the beverages Mike....and Pat & David I appreciate you and a few more who got this whole C-Brat thing started :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

And to think it was all because some of us got thrown off the ol C-Dog site.

What a history... C-Dory & EQ, and a bunch of us Brats ran off from C-Dog... now that is the cat's meyow....

Looking for link soon names.... WHO IS RICHARDO....? Did I spell that right? I did not get a chance to meet him...but I did not bring the beer or start this wonderful site. I just play on C-Dory boats.

GO GET ON THE BOAT!

Byrdman
 
Les is out of town for a while on a trip to eastern WA. Of course I don't, and couldn't speak for EQ, but as a long time EQ customer (over 22 years), and at EQ on a daily basis, I think that I understand the situation.

When EQ first started with C Dory there were 2 models - 16 and 22. Kathy and Les loved the boats and it was a perfect line for a small organization. We all know the current number of boats that C Dory makes, and EQ has no desire to be a big business. To fairly represent C Dory, a dealer should be able to market the entire line. Master Marine, just a few minutes away, apparently can do that.

I know both Les and Kathy like and respect Ricardo, but a small business in a small community is in a difficult position. I know that EQ has done its best to fairly represent C Dory, and to provide customers with personal service.

Dusty - a proud dad.
 
Sawdust":349c5dtx said:
I know both Les and Kathy like and respect Ricardo...
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As do I, which seems to be somewhat at odds with many here.

Yes, I get a bit of the "car salesman" impression when I speak with him, but I'm more interested in results. Ricardo has always come through for me.

Many of you old time C-Brats recall, I had the first 19 Angler built by C-Dory under the Reynolds. C-Dory suggested, the boat would perform fine with a 60HP outboard, and it was ordered from my local dealer accordingly.

When I reported the performance problem to C-Dory, Ricardo flew down to CA the following weekend to take a personal ride on the boat, meeting me at the local reservoir. He took the helm, and immediately acknowledged the boat was seriously underpowered.

With Ricardo taking the lead, my dealer was contacted, and a Yamaha F80 was swapped out for the F60. I paid a minor upgrade amount - less than the difference between the two motors, and all labor was paid for by C-Dory. Additionally, the F60 had about 50 hours on it, mostly in salt water - the dealer could not sell it as new, and Ricardo and C-Dory made sure the dealer was taken care of in this regard.

And before any of you wonder if I was receiving "C-Brat Nerd" preferential treatment - this was long before this site existed. To C-Dory, I was just another customer.

So, feel free to spout off about Ricardo - I certainly can't vouch for everyone he's ever dealt with. But he went above and beyond the call of duty for me, and I've heard similar stories of his actions from others.
 
As the Godfather would say, "It's business, not personal".

Yes, we only read one side of the issue but it sounds to me that C-Dory wished to retain Les & EQ as a dealer and EQ chose not to based on their unwillingness to sell and produce C-Dorys at the pace that C-Dory deemed necessary. Furthermore, Dusty, while not speaking for Les, makes it clear that EQ was not interested in selling the entire line of C-Dorys available now.
Dusty":2g438iq6 said:
We all know the current number of boats that C Dory makes, and EQ has no desire to be a big business. To fairly represent C Dory, a dealer should be able to market the entire line.
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So what's wrong with a business trying to follow a business plan that they deem best for the success of the company? And why do folks have to find a villain when things don't seem to go the way they think it should? It seems to me, based on Ricardo's email, that the temination of the business relationship was mutual. Dusty seems to confirm it. So, AFAIC, lighten up people. At least until we hear from Les.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Peter
C-Dancer
 
Jeanie P":2lwby8i4 said:
YACD : I'm glad you have had a good experience with Sail Annapolis.
Honda doesn't list them on their web site. I'm going to have to take another run over there, find parking somewhere and talk to them first hand and find out where their work yard is located.

My comment about CD losing good dealers and replacing them with question marks was not to imply SA had inferior service, (location aside)just that EQ & Cutter had a history of good service and the replacement dealers are not well known on this site.

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion.

Allan
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Sorry to prolong this Allan but in fairness to Sail Annapolis they certainly are listed as a dealer on the Honda website: its under Owners->Find a Dealer and then enter zip code 21403.

Roy
 
An old professor of mine used to say "B^tching troops are happy troops". Judged by that criterion, sometimes I think we must be the happiest bunch around! :wink: :lol:
 
I have been a CPA and small business consultant for over 35 years. I have seen a lot of strong businesses prosper and some weak ones go away.

I think Les did himself a real favor by ending his connection with a much weaker business partner. Les' customers continually report that he provides them exactly the boat they want at a reasonable price, and then makes sure that all problems that come up are fixed quickly and fairly. This is the textbook definition of quality.

Les has a long and consistent record of high quality service to his customers. There is no reason for him to let a weak business partner (with much lower quality standards) jeopardize his excellent reputation.

Jim
 
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