Marine Max Expands

Yes Interesting. I use the Skipper Buds in Volo, IL for service. Earlier this summer the announced that they were "moving". Turns out this was marketing speak for closing. Specifically they have relocated to another Skipper Buds location 13 miles farther away. Now I'm guessing they were reducing overhead as part of the sales agreement. I've read mixed reviews on Marine Max on this site. I've been loyal to Skipper Buds and they have been good to me and my boat but now I'm not sure that driving the extra distance is worth it. I may be looking for another place for service.
 
Wonderful.... just went from a bad dealer to a worse dealer

I have had two really bad experiences with skipperbuds.... my only regret is I had a second bad experience with skipperbuds
 
I have had mostly good experiences with Skipper Buds. And the "bad" really wasn't anything that was not quickly worked out to my satisfaction.

My understanding is that they will stay "Skipper Bud's" and retain the management team for a number of years.
 
Steve S said:
I have had mostly good experiences with Skipper Buds. And the "bad" really wasn't anything that was not quickly worked out to my satisfaction.

My understanding is that they will stay "Skipper Bud's" and retain the management team for a number of years.
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That's good to hear. My experience is similar. When they did screw up they were fast to recover to my satisfaction. I do know that the Volo service staff and the service manager went to the new location in Antioch. Maybe I'll suck it up and make the drive there if/when needed next year.
 
I have had great service with my Skipperbuds. I've not heard anything good about MM on this forum.
 
Hmmm. Why divest 20 locations during a peak in boat purchasing and valuations? Taking profit before the pop?
 
El Capitan said:
Hmmm. Why divest 20 locations during a peak in boat purchasing and valuations? Taking profit before the pop?
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Retirement. Sell out at the top of the market to a larger conglomerate with more money than brains.
 
Not a big fan of Skipper Buds. I do know 3 very good salespeople they have and considered good friends, but they always told me "my hands are tied with management" They offered me 22,000 on a trade that I sold for 41,500.
 
I went to West Marine today in Port Clinton Ohio.... I was looking for an expensive raymarine cable. The very nice lady ripped the store apart and found everything but.... so she says I should go down to skipper buds as they work with raymarine a lot ....so go down there...very quiet. Go to parts...said what I was looking for and they went in the back came out with the cable and said merry Christmas ...he just gave it to me for free...WOW....so I walked around the show room... million dollar center console...then up from there. Talked to a new salesman and some other guy for a half an hour about the Indianapolis Colts... I kept telling him I only where this hat when I work in the bilge :) .... very nice experience and quite surprising.... later in the day I needed a sea Ray part so went to Marine Max just up the road from SB... sign on the door said the showroom was closed...go to Skipper buds it said....went to the back to the parts department ... it was closed at 3:45 when they were suppose to be open until 4:30... I couldn’t help to wonder if they are not consolidating with Skipper Buds.... why have duplicate dealers around the corner from each other ?
 
Blueone,

I was in the area about a week ago. Driving past Skipper Buds - Marina Del Isle, I noticed what I thought were new Sailfish models shrink wrapped in the parking lot. Previously, those were sold by MM Port Clinton. The Sailfish boats website now lists SB as the local dealer.

The MM Port Clinton website now says the two local locations - MM & SB - are under one roof now part of the SB location network. Sales and service available at Marian Del Isle, service only at MM Port Clinton (Catawba Island).
 
Buckeye Boater said:
Blueone,

I was in the area about a week ago. Driving past Skipper Buds - Marina Del Isle, I noticed what I thought were new Sailfish models shrink wrapped in the parking lot. Previously, those were sold by MM Port Clinton. The Sailfish boats website now lists SB as the local dealer.

The MM Port Clinton website now says the two local locations - MM & SB - are under one roof now part of the SB location network. Sales and service available at Marian Del Isle, service only at MM Port Clinton (Catawba Island).
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They should change the sign on the door at MM... the million dollar 42 with 3-350’s was a scout at SB
 
Marine Max bought Skipper Buds back in September or October.
 
We always had good experiences with MM Port Clinton and not so good with SB. Hopefully with MM taking them over things will improve. Maybe now
I will go look at a Tiara lol.
 
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Capt. Rusty Higgins said:
So good to see you in print again Casey. Hope the fam is doing great! Miss you guys

Rusty
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Capt.

All are doing well, thanks. 2020 resulted in less travel and more time at the lake house! Not a bad trade off!! Hope you are doing well. If you ever make it to Lake Erie, let us know. We have plenty of dock space. Happy New Year!
 
I might get in trouble for this. I believe Marine Max was responsible for the end of Sea Ray larger boats. Years ago they took on all those other brands to compete with Sea Ray. MM pushed the less expensive other brands, which you can't blame them for doing, but they forgot what made Marine Max, Marine Max. Sadly, Sea Ray sat back and allowed this to happen, so they are not without blame. I understand boat buying has changed to outboard day boats, but that it not the only boats people want. There is still a large group of people that want 40 plus foot cruising boats.
 
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