September 2nd, 2010 by Rob
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 Brunswick Awards 28 Scholarships to Children of Brunswick Dealerships.
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| LAKE FOREST, Ill., Aug. 24, 2010 – Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), a market leader in the marine industry, and the Brunswick Foundation recently awarded 28 sons and daughters of dealership owners and employees in the U.S. and Canada, a total of $56,000 in college scholarships to assist those students with their tuition fees. The Brunswick Foundation Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program recognizes recipients for their academic excellence, leadership capabilities and civic involvement during the past school year, and are chosen by an independent committee of academic professionals at leading Midwestern universities.”I am truly appreciative for receiving a Brunswick scholarship this year,” said scholarship recipient Randilea Nichols, whose father is Randy Nichols, president and chief executive officer of Nichols Marine in McAlester, Okla. “I sincerely thank Brunswick Corporation for its generosity and support towards my future as well as my college tuition costs.”
The Brunswick Dealer Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program is part of Brunswick Dealer Advantage, a wide ranging group of dealer support services available to over 5,000 Brunswick marine, Life Fitness and Brunswick Billiards dealers in the U.S. and Canada. Brunswick Dealer Advantage offers valuable tools that help dealers to build long-term profitability and value in their businesses and help them succeed.
“We are so proud of our sons Colby and Patrick for winning scholarships this year, and we are so thankful for the Brunswick Foundation and Brunswick Dealer Advantage for their support,” said parents Rob Brown and Nancy Fortier-Brown of Clark Marine in Manchester, Maine. “Our dealership benefits from several Dealer Advantage features, and the scholarships are just one more way that Brunswick is showing us that they support our dealership and our families.”
In the U.S., Brunswick marine dealers can leverage leading retail services like Blue Water Finance, Brunswick Product Protection, BoatTrader.com and Channel Blade to attract new customers. Under Dealer Advantage, dealers may also offer major employee benefits and rewards programs such as General Motors supplier pricing, AdvantageCare healthcare and Aetna dental and vision, as well as enjoy preferred terms on key operation services like Brunswick Acceptance Corporation floor financing, Staples office supplies, US Bank credit card processing, UPS shipping services, Arthur J. Gallagher business insurance and lots more. The number of programs a dealer can access increases based on the strength of the dealer’s partnership with Brunswick. Opportunities for scholarships are offered to Gold and Platinum-level dealers.
“Higher education is important in helping the next generation to prepare for success,” said Russ Lockridge, vice president and chief human resources officer for Brunswick Corporation. “It is an honor to be a part of helping these dealers and their children realize their dreams.”
“Brunswick Dealer Advantage and the Brunswick Foundation scholarship program allow us to directly help dealers and their families,” said Judith P. Zelisko, president of the Brunswick Foundation as well as Brunswick’s vice president – tax. “Brunswick Corporation has a long history of charitable contributions, and we are proud to be able to contribute again this year.”
The 2010 Dealer Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program recipients are:
| Maxwell Berube |
Port Harbor Marine |
South Portland , Maine |
| Brandon Bringer |
O P C Marine Service |
Imperial, Mo. |
| Jessica L. Bunch |
Lake Wylie Marine Inc. |
Lake Wylie , S.C. |
| Amanda Clarke |
Quality Performance Marine Inc. |
Corona , Calif. |
| Erin Creaser |
Glenn Burney Marine Ltd. |
Parry Sound , Ontario , Canada |
| Caitlin Flynn |
Lookout Marine |
Somerset , Ky. |
| Colby Fortier-Brown |
Clark Marine |
Manchester , Maine |
| Patrick Fortier-Brown |
Clark Marine |
Manchester , Maine |
| Elisabelle Gaboury |
Gaboury Marine |
Sorel Tracy , Quebec , Canada |
| Nicole Garofolo |
Dicksons Marine |
East Patchogue , N.Y. |
| Maddison Hall |
Lake Wylie Marine Inc. |
Lake Wylie , S.C. |
| Erika Haselhorst |
Belleville Sport Sales Inc. |
Belleville , Ill. |
| Luke Hunt |
Marine Service Center |
Decatur , Ill. |
| Nicole Kush |
Hipp Marine Service |
San Diego , Calf. |
| Kelsey Lautrup |
Cariboo Supply and Marine Ltd. |
100 Milehouse, British Columbia , Canada |
| Jacob Lueders |
Frontier Power Sport |
Fergus Falls , Minn. |
| Alexandria Mazoch |
Clear Lake Power |
El Lago , Texas |
| Randilea Nichols |
Nichols Marine |
McAlester , Okla. |
| Nikki Novak |
Pierre Sports Center |
Pierre , S.D. |
| Alexis Pollard |
Elite Marine Inc. |
Riverside , Calif. |
| Audrey Puryear |
Dalton Marine |
Dalton , Ga. |
| Jacqueline Reitz |
Jarrett Bay Boatworks |
Beaufort , N.C. |
| Brooke Shelton |
Wilson Marine Corporation |
Howell , Mich. |
| Jordan Sheridan |
MarineMax Southwest Florida |
Fort Myers , Fla. |
| Jamie Theno |
Hidden Mill Marine |
Hammonton , N.J. |
| Theresa Valentine |
Lindy’s Sales Inc. |
Fairgrove , Mich. |
| Ellen Werner |
Arnolds Boats and Motors |
Louisville , Ky. |
| Lynsie Whitlow |
Whits Marine Inc. |
Fort Smith , Ark. |
|
Daniel Kubera
Director – Media Relations and Corporate Communications
July 11th, 2010 by Rob
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Peter & Gary, Monmouth Detail Crew
These are the guys who are getting it done for you.
Jake, Andrew, & Pat, Manchester Detail Crew
We pride ourselves in our mechanical abilities. Nothing comes before our dedication to the repair and maintenance of your boat.
The cleaning and detail services have always been viewed somewhat as speculative. Until now we had not applied ourselves to the same degree.
That mindset changed this spring.
The definition we give in our Preferred Customer Service Packages is; “First Layer-Detail Services Included. More intense cleanings are available upon request.” (for a fee)
This past spring it was brought to our attention that our idea of “first layer services” did not exactly correspond with our storage folk’s idea of a rightful cleaning and paying extra in these tight times was not the most desirable option!
Sooooooo….we made a change!
I know that many of my competitors had given up cleaning as part of their storage offerings. I could have chose at this point to follow suit, but that’s just not us! Instead of giving it up we chose to double our efforts.
Since the change I have received numerous positive calls. The added labors have been well worth the while.
The gentlemen pictured are the reason for the many compliments.
June 24th, 2010 by Rob
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What you are seeing in the slide here is the inside of the carburetor of a 2.5 hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard that was stored over the winter with untreated Ethanol fuel.
This is not the first one we have opened that looked like this either.
Now if you are figuring you’re about to read another segment on the evils of ethanol in our gasoline, you are not. I’m not going to get into a long presentation on chemical separations that can happen with ethanol fuels, that horse has been beaten more times….
Instead, here are several useful suggestions
1 – If you are purchasing fuel for your boat, only purchase what you feel you are going to use for the day, weekend, or week. Try not to store fuel, even treated for more then 30 days or so.
2- Fuel up on the way out, add an E-phase type product in proportion to the fuel added. Always burn fresh fuels, ideally, park your boat with ¼ of a tank of treated fuel or less.
3 – Long term storage of carbureted engines; we are going to be running the systems dry so as to not be dealing with issues like the one presented in the picture above.
4- Use your boat more often! The more you enjoy your boat the more fuel you are using, less likely you are to have fuel stagnation related problems! Go have fun!
Ethanol laced fuels require a different way of handling then we are accustomed to. We just need to change our thinking and doing slightly.
June 16th, 2010 by Rob
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One of the things I have missed over the past few years has been working on the water.
I’m a subscriber to the E-Myth philosophy where you should focus on being the Technician, the Manager, or the Entrepreneur. I know my attention is needed equally in both the areas of managing and the long term steering of Clark Marine, although I really miss the technical field service side of things
Back when, I would be the guy to call on you at your dock, dissect your engine and leave it in better shape then when I had arrived. During the resent past I rarely leave the store. This spring and summer, I have been scheduling more of my time to being back on the water.
How many folks do you know who opened a business doing something they loved and in time found them mired in every other facet of the business other than the reason they opened it in the first place? I resemble that statement!
Where I still keep up my presence in the store, I somewhat enjoy the business side of things and I especially like the social aspects, though, my heart is really to be on the water servicing fine folks like you.
April 13th, 2010 by Rob
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OPEN HOUSE POSTPONED TO SATURDAY APRIL 24th & SUNDAY THE 25th.
Due To The Predictable Maine Weather
We Have Chosen To Postpone Our Spring Open House One Week.
HOLDING OUT FOR SUNSHINE!
Haven’t Pulled The Trigger On Your Boat Purchase This Spring?
Clark Marine Has Set Saturday The 24th & Sunday The 25th Aside For You!
This Open House Sale At Clark Marine Is About You And Your Money!
Every Boat we Have – New – Used – Pontoon – Fish Boat – Cuddy – Bass Boat – Portable Outboards too! Are Discounted For You To Have Fun On The Water This Year!
The Grill Will Be On And The Tiki Bar Will Be Open, There Will Be Entertainment for the kids and gifts for everyone who attends.
These are all a given.
But Make No Mistake
This Clark Marine Open House Is Not About Hamburgers and Wii contests,….
Its About Saving You Money On Your Boat Purchase!
You will find the boat of your dreams is now at the lowest price of the year.
Rain – Sun – Snow – The Sale Will Go On! Our Entire Inventory Is Available To Be Viewed And Purchased On The spot!
This Saturday the 24th 8 to 5 and Sunday the 25th 10 to 3 At Clark Marines Final Big Sale Of The Spring Open House.
Clark Marine, On The Puddledock Road Manchester,
Or Visit us on the web at funonthewaterstartshere.com.
April 3rd, 2010 by Rob
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Boy Scout Troop 613, of West Gardiner, recently gathered to make three platforms for loon nests. These platforms will be placed on Cobbosseecontee Lake. The project was developed and lead by Brad Hart, for his Boy Scout Eagle project.
Brad chose this project because he has always enjoyed watching loons. Upon researching them, he learned that in recent years the chick count on Cobbossee Lake has been decreasing. This can be attributed to several factors, one being the rise and fall of the lake. The change in the water level floods the loon nests, destroying the eggs. The platforms that the Boy Scouts built will float, keeping the nests and eggs safe from the water.
Participating in the building of the platforms were: (left to right, front row) Alex Hart, Odin Jubinville, Dylan Haskell, William Bucci, Nick Bucci, Marc Plaistead, Brad Hart, Harris Plaistead. Back row: Jeff DeHart, Jacob Handy. Also participating in the building, but not pictured were: Ryan O’Neill, Eli DeHart, John Bucci, Ronda Haskell, Kevin Hart
“Kudos to this fine group of young men.”
Article provided by Brad & Kevin Hart.
March 15th, 2010 by Rob
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Three of us here at Clark Marine have spent the better part of a decade preparing for Mercury’s Certified Technician Exam. Last Friday, Derrick Turner and Nelson Beaudry and I passed the test.
Without sounding boastful, everyone here is proud of what the three have accomplished. Between classroom time and computer distance training it had taken a number of years to acquire the knowledge and experience required to pass this goal.
Speaking for myself, this is easily the most difficult assessment I have taken in 10 Years…Not since I passed OMC’s Master Technician test in November of 2000 have I sat in front of an exam of this caliber.
I am not aware of any other dealership in central Maine right now that has 3 Certified Mercury Technicians on staff other than Clark Marine.
The Mercury products you are purchasing are changing every model year it is important that we keep up with those changes. You pay us to effectively service and repair your equipment from know how not guess work. Keeping our education current and to the highest level available is essential in maintaining our performance.
Having this level of training allows us the ability to keep our service prices in check. By understanding your engine better then anyone else we are able to ward off many issues through prescribed general maintenance. We can also identify problems more quickly allowing for timelier repairs. Both are a benefit to your wallet.
Every person that makes up the Clark Marine team is in a constant mode of education. Where so many dealers invest in one or maybe two technicians I invest in everyone on my staff. If you come to work with us and you have no interest in improving yourself, you are not going to last very long with us.
Currently we have seven additional Technicians climbing the ladder to certification. I want Clark Marine to be the most educated service department……anywhere.
If you get the chance please comment here or I invite you to stop in and congratulate the guys.
March 8th, 2010 by Rob
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I feel strongly that it should be. But what I think doesn’t matter near as much as what you think.
What is your opinion on making the Augusta Boat Show an Annual Free Event? Would it be more a value to you?
This is the morning after moving from the Civic Center back into our digs and while the crew is busy putting the place back together I like to sit back, digest, and see what I feel will improve the recent event. I keep coming back to; an event open to all who want to see if boating is right for them and be able to do so at no risk to their wallet.
The Augusta Civic Center is the perfect facility to host such an event. The location could not be easier to access from I-95. There is more then enough free parking, and if the dealers would join forces to deter some of the expenses that are currently born by the promoter, a free to the public event could easily be hosted.
The Open House’s that the better dealers host each spring allow for folks to shop our product lines are free. Though you can only visit with one dealer at a time.
Would it be an advantage to have the ability to visit with a dozen or so vendors all in the same day for the same price as an open house? Free.
If you are a first time to boating prospector would you be more likely to attend a free showing as opposed to forking out $15 – $20 – $25 – for the ability to do your research?
If you are a veteran boater just looking to shake a little winter rust off or harboring the mindset of a trade, would you be more likely to attend a no cost show as opposed to a parting with some of your hard earned to do the same thing as well?
It’s already time to start planning the 35th Annual Augusta Boat Show.
I am truly interested in your comments.
February 27th, 2010 by Rob
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Tickets to the Augusta Boat Show Anyone?
We’re going to be there and we’d love to see you attend too! I have a handful of Free Passes that will just go to waste if they go unclaimed. So please drop me a line, here, phone, email, stop by the store, or I could leave a couple at the ticket counter for you.
This year will mark our 12th year as an exhibitor At the Augusta Civic Center. Where some dealers have chose not to attend for 2010 I have taken a differing view and upped our exposure. The crew and I have created an excellent display of 11 of our most Popular Avalon Pontoon Boats and Princecraft Deck & Fish Boats. We will also have a nice sampling of Eastern Township Docking too.
Hey! we hope you decide to attend! Details for the shown can be found via this link.
http://clarkmarine.biz/home/springevents.html
February 24th, 2010 by Rob
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I just finished up an interview with the local paper. It’s always a bit unsettling to be interviewed by a reporter who should be writing about birds instead of boats! (pretty close to the same thing, eh?)
I can never tell how these things are going to play out once in print. All I know is that it usually ends poorly!
Conversation usually goes something like this….
As we are walking by a boat transom,
Reporter: (Pointing to the boat drain plug with his pencil) “What’s that?”
Rob; “Drain plug hole.”
Reporter; Scribble….scribble…scribble… “Do all boats have a drain plug?”
Rob: “Generally so”
Reporter: (Scribble…scribble….scribble) “What happens if the plug comes out?”
Rob; “The Boat takes on water, not a good thing.”
Reporter; Scribble…scribble…scribble…
Quote comes out in the paper the next day as; “Rob Says All Boats Can Sink!”
I am holding out hope that this article will be different and if not….Oh Well….It at least will include a good picture of a handsome guy!
