Oh boy! Where do I start? By nature I'm an open and gregarious person and would like to keep everyone updated on everything. That said, I'm pretty sure if I had been doing that those that know me would have worried about my sanity, and those that don't already know me would steer a wide path assuming the worst.
I'd like to be making a big announcement right now with the assurance that I'm 100% correct but I'm not quite there yet. With that said, let me make go ahead and make a 99% announcement.
The announcement is that we've come to an agreement with Nordic Tugs to produce the Marinuat 215 for us. Most folks hold Nordic Tugs in high regard and I'm no different, I think this is the best way for us to get a high-quality boat to market with the ability to make more boats available.
Previously, we were having the fiberglass components molded for us in Port Townsend by Townsend Bay Marine and then we'd build the boat from the bare shell stage. A few months ago they informed us they were not interested in continuing to make the bare hull shells for us. Of course, that launched a search for a place to have that done since we don't have the physical space to do that at our shop in Cornet Bay. That's been a very long process and we've been in ongoing talks with Nordic Tugs for the last six months or more. It's been really important to both of us (Nordic Tugs and Marinaut) to get this right, and while it's taken a lot of time, I believe it will all be worth it.
Unlike our situation with Townsend Bay Marine where they only fabricated the bare shell, Nordic Tugs will be building the complete boat for us. The M215 will come to us (at the shop in Cornet Bay) just as the C-Dory, Arima, and Rosborough boats did, ready for us to install the engine, electronics, accessories, and outfit it for delivery to our customer.
I want to point out that Nordic Tugs will be building the boat for us to our specifications (with their outstanding craftsmanship), and that it is, in fact, our boat. The truth is that I've been at the Nordic facility a few times now and looked over their hull layups, their cabinetry, their wiring, and general fit out and, if anything, we could learn a thing or two from them if we wanted to continue to build the boats at Cornet Bay. I couldn't ask for a better fit, they have the same business philosophy (deliver a quality product and the sales will happen) and their operation is much like ours, just on a larger scale. They still hand build each and every boat, just as we do, and their attention to detail is no less than ours.
Over the last 3 years or so we've only been able to build 3 or 4 boats a year (there are 10 of them out there at this point). That turned out to be a good thing because we've been able to really fine tune the process but at some point you have to be able to put more boats out. You can get away with building only 3 or 4 big boats a year and still have a profitable company, that doesn't work very well with small boats like the M215. Having said that, the numbers don't have to be huge, I'd like to think we could start building maybe 12 boats a year rather than 3 or 4 and that in itself would be a rather significant change. If the demand is there we can build more but we're not intending to take over the world. The boat itself (the quality and the happiness of our customers) is much more important than how many we can sell and build, and as long as I'm involved that's where the focus will remain. Sounds cliche but it really is quality based, not quantity based (I honestly believe if the quality is there, the quantity takes care of itself).
Having Nordic Tugs build the complete hull also opens up the possibility of having a few dealers. If we're able to go that way we'd have maybe 4 to 5 dealers; one in the Southeast (northern Florida maybe), one in the mid-Atlantic (Maryland?), one in the Great Lakes area, and EQ Harbor Service in the Northwest. There may be another area or two worth exploring but at the moment this is "what ifs".
It is my intention to have the Marinaut 215 at the Seattle Boat Show next year and to finally make the boat available to a wider audience.
I want to offer my apologies to the C-Brats community in general. Over many years (I joined the group in 2003) I've derived a great deal of pleasure from everyone involved. It's been wonderful on both a professional level and on a personal level. Those that know me know that the latter is a much more significant thing than the former. My apology is for not being more active than I have been in the past few years. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of being able to give back to the community and that's hard to do when you're not active. The last two or three years have been a tough go for me personally (though in comparison to some I'm quite blessed and I know that) and has taken a lot of my focus away from boats in general and fun things like the Brats.
In addition, I'd like to thank the C-Brat community. Big Time. You've supported me greatly throughout the years; you've been a source of inspiration, a source of friendship, a source of strength, and just a lot of fun. I can't express in words the appreciation I have for the support and friendship you've given my father (Dusty) through the years. It's really heartwarming and very special.
I feel ready to hop back in the saddle and get back after it this year.
All the best,
Les
