Light Economic Breezes
Not Slowing Boating Industry

Retailers, Manufacturers Pleased by Steady Demand

Article and photos by Dave Brumbaugh

Boat retailers and manufacturers would seem to be as vulnerable as any industry sector to an economic slowdown. Whether for pleasure or charter businesses, quality boats and yachts easily run into six figures — the type of expenditure that may be delayed in tough times.

However, the combination of a turbulent stock market and troubling news about the local future of Georgia-Pacific and Alcoa Intalco Works hasn’t created “The Perfect Storm” for Bellingham marine businesses.

“On the boat sales side of things, we’re almost exactly the same as last year and we had a great year last year,” says Jon Lindout, vice president of BoonDocks Boats & Motors in Squalicum Harbor.

“The stock market hasn’t affected us too bad,” concurs B.J. Mattaini, manager of the Squalicum Harbor branch of Olympic Boat Centers. “Sales really haven’t been too bad at all — much better than we thought.”

Mattaini says sales of 30-foot and larger boats “are doing pretty well,” which he attributes to more families going on cruising vacations and wanting the space and amenities that larger boats offer. Also, he notes the fishing forecast for this season is good.

In 2000, Belling-ham Yacht enjoyed its best year since opening in 1984, says Nick Ouilette, co-owner with brother Dean. Bellingham Yacht has territorial rights from Alaska to Oregon for Sabreline Motor Yachts and Albin and is among the top dealers in the country for both. Sales of their powerboats typically range between $140,000 and $700,000.

“It’s slowed down a little bit since last year but you’d expect that,” Ouilette reports. “Before, it was just who could get boats from a manufacturer.”

Busy manufacturers

A pair of local boat manufacturers also report a healthy demand for their watercraft.

Larry Wieber, owner of Aluminum Chambered Boats in Bellingham, says charter-fishing businesses and government agencies are showing increasing interest in its vessels as fuel costs rise.

“Because of our power-to-weight ratio, we cut fuels bills over 40 percent to 70 percent over standard powerboats,” Wieber states. “If you go fishing three times a month, you’ll save the amount of a monthly payment just in fuel bills.”

ACB has introduced 11 new 2002 models, ranging in size from 16 feet to 32 feet, although the 26-foot models account for 80 percent of its sales. Sieber expects the company to be producing 10 to 12 boats a month by next year.

The renowned Sea Sport line of boats, previously produced by Wright Bros. of Bellingham, was sold in September to the Marine Services NW, owned by the Lindout family and parent company of BoonDocks Boats & Motors. Jon Lindout says his family hasn’t made major changes to the successful operation along the Guide Meridian, just north of Horton Road. Now named Sea Sport Boats Inc., the facility continues to build around 100 boats a year.

“Our customer is still very much out there,” Lindout says, adding that demand for its larger boats is strongest.

 

Repair shops

Like cars, marine vessels need regular maintenance. Also like cars, some customers prefer to do their own work and some hire others to do it.

Bellingham Bay Shipyard, purchased by Billie Adams in 1998, handles routine maintenance and major overhauls of commercial fishing ships, Navy and Coast Guard vessels and state ferries. Its work generally is split 50-50 between commercial and government vessels, says Tim Adams, chief financial officer.

He says the company’s outlook is promising because the North Pacific fishing fleet is faring better now.

Bellingham Bay Shipyard had about $12 million in revenues last year. Its 70 employees include a number of “family-wage” positions, such as machinists, mechanics, welders and electricians.

The Boatyard at Colony Wharf provides services to the “do-it-yourselfer.” The self-service boatyard, which can hold up to 100 boats, recently added equipment that enables it to haul boats up to 35 tons into the yard for bottom painting, repairs, propeller maintenance and other tasks. Previously, boats larger than 20 tons had to wait for time at Colony Wharf’s dock, says company spokesperson Kelli McNamera.

While its clientele was primarily commercial fishing boats, that has changed in recent years to pleasure craft and charter fleets, McNamera says.

Located on the Whatcom Creek waterway, Colony Wharf also has arrangements with 30 contractors who can work on boats if their owners find the tasks are more than they can handle.