2007 Dealer of the Year:
Legendary Marine, Marine Supply…The Boating Center, and
Woodard Marine are named 2007 Dealers of the Year

A trio of dealers, two from Florida and one from Vermont, has won Boat & Motor Dealer’s 2007 Dealer of the Year Awards. For the first time in its 50-year history, Boat & Motor Dealer is honoring three dealerships based on annual revenues: less than $5 million in gross revenues; $5 million to $10 million in gross revenues; and more than $10 million in gross revenues.

What separates these dealers from their competitors is not their revenues, as much as it is the quality of their business operations, their dedication to excellence through their thorough training of employees and caring concern for customers.

Legendary Marine
In the $10 million plus category, Boat & Motor Dealer has selected Legendary Marine of Destin, Fla., as the winner. In just seven years, the dealership has grown from a single, solitary trailer to a full-fledged marina and boat dealership at five different locations along the northwest coast of Florida and southern Alabama.

What separates this dealership from others is the way it organizes its operations, measures the effectiveness of its advertising, and augments its approach to customers through its ”Customer Bill of Rights.”  Its mission statement says it all: “We are the symbol of excellence in boating!”

This Marine Industry Dealership Certified business has grown to more than $24 million in gross annual revenues, while billing more than 60,000 hours of service work out of its 32 service bays.  It is a model of “greatness”  in each one of the six categories we judge dealerships. Moreover, it is constantly looking for ways to expand its business, such as its 2007 deal with Yacht Clubs of America designed to create combined marinas and dealerships at locations stretching from Florida across the Gulf of Mexico to Texas.  
Boat & Motor Dealer will profile Legendary Marine in its March issue. READ ARTICLE [PDF]>>

Marine Supply…The Boating Center
The winner of the “Dealer of the Year” Award in the category for dealers with revenues between $5 million and $10 million is Marine Supply…The Boating Center in Winter Haven, Fla.

Founded 55 years ago by Gerald Emry, Marine Supply…The Boating Center has evolved from a bait shop and boat rental business into a full-service marine dealership. Gerald’s son passed on the dealership to two of his children, David Emery and Tricia Gurr, who now operate the business.

Located on one of the 16 chain of lakes in Winter Haven, Marine Supply…The Boating Center targets three types of boating customers: inland fishing; cruising and skiing; and winter residents. To compliment its lake location, the dealership recently opened a second facility on the busiest highway in Polk County.

The dealership is one that believes in an organized, systematic lead management system as the key to its success. Moreover, the business is in constant contact with its current customers and future prospects so that it can change its offering and approaches to meet changing customer needs.

Marine Supply…The Boating Center will be profiled in the April issue. READ ARTICLE [PDF]>>

Woodard Marine
The winner of the best dealership under $5 million is Woodard Marine Inc. in Hydeville, Vt., whose motto is that people really interested in their work deliver excellence to their customers (P.R.I.D.E.). This Marine Industry Dealer Certified business is aware of its customers and their needs as the basis of heir business operations.

Woodard Marine is the hub of boating on Lake Bomoseen in Vermont, which is a tourist attraction, so it must offer an expanded line of boats, extensive repair services, well-maintained boat storage, and other marine-related activities. The dealership is recognized for its pro-active attitude, which has it looking around the corner for the next opportunity and challenge.

When it comes to boat rentals, sales, and service, Woodard Marine prides itself on having a knowledgeable staff, high-quality products, and an efficient service center.

Boat & Motor Dealer will profile Woodard Marine in its May issue.