Testimonials from the 2006 Top 100 Dealers Program

The Top 100 night was a terrific night for the boating industry. Can’t thank you
enough for what you have done for the MRAA and professionalism. Boating Industry is a real champion to me. It is a daunting task to take on, and a year goes by so fast. We
will fully participate in the further marketing of the Top 100. We are so honored
to be a part of this elite group.
Joe Harwood
Arrowhead Yacht Club & Marina

You folks produced a terrific event once again. You raised your own bar by creating the “Best in Class” recognition, the “Editor’s Pick” presentations and the After Party.

Increasing the size and weight of the “Top 10” awards is much appreciated. We are extremely proud to be one of only two members of last year’s Top-10 class to move up in ranking this year. Thanks so much. It was “great to be number eight” in 2005. To be number “seven is heaven” in 2006. Number “six is in the mix” for 2007.
Larry Russo Sr.
Russo Marine

When the last year’s Top 100 Dealers list was published, our team at South Shore Marine was really motivated to apply for round number two. This year’s combination of dealer certification and the Top 100 was truly an invaluable exercise for our company; it inspired us to dig in & focus on doing what we do best… and to worry only about “better” not “bigger.”

Our sincere thanks to all of you for making that challenge/opportunity possible. We all have our goals relative to competition, but a real target such as the Top 100, made it easier for us to aim – and aim higher. Huge Kudos to Boating Industry magazine! You’ve got us fired up, and as an industry, it’s LONG overdue. We’re honored to be onboard.

Also, I enjoyed your Editor’s Choice story on Hampton Watercraft & Marine. The story sounded very familiar. For eight summers during high school & college, I was self-employed cleaning boats. At Age 23, after six months of misery in the corporate world, I started South Shore Marine as a cleaning & detailing company. It’s amazing how dreams can grow. We’ll tell you more about all that in our next application.
Tom Mack
South Shore Marine

I want to thank you all again for the great honor of being named No. 2 in the Top 100. It was a great night. Excellent job.
Mike Eiffert
Galati Yacht Sales

Again, we can’t thank you enough for the opportunity of being in the Top 100 dealer status. We had a great time at the Top 100 Gala, and would like to thank you and your staff for all the hard work. Great job!
Paul Davis
Omaha Marine Center

We are thrilled to be ranked in the Top 100 and appreciate what you have done for us.
Taylor Richards
Taylor’s Boats

We just wanted to say thank you for including us in this year’s Top 100 and that we had a great time at the awards ceremony.
Mark Lewis
Marine USA Inc.

Jim and I just wanted to let you know that we had a great time at the Gala. We were so impressed by the event and the quality of the dealers that were there. We were proud to be a part of it and so happy that David Parker finally convinced us to enter. We’ll “step it up” a notch next year with our application after seeing what the others sent in.
Debbie Hayes
MasterCraft Boats of Arizona

Congratulations on running a great event last Wednesday. We consider it an honor to be included as one of the award recipients! Thank you again for a great program that will be very beneficial to the marine industry. We are very motivated to continue our quest for improvement!
Wayne Sorensen
Utah Water Sports, L.C.

Thank you for allowing Lake Viking Marine to join the ranks of the Top 100!!! I look forward to the next year & the challenge of improving our systems in-house to go up the chart!! Your organization deserves a large round of applause for your efforts in the endeavor.
Larry D. Tague
Lake Viking Marine

From 2006’s Top 100 Dealer applications:

I would like to take this “final thought” opportunity to thank The Editors and everyone involved in the Top 100 process for their commitment and dedication. As a result of this application process, our company has had an excuse to thoroughly examine and assess our dealership. Many of the questions in the application helped highlight our strong points here at Norfolk Marine, but some questions also aided us in considering different approaches to certain aspects of our business. This application process has truly been enlightening: Opening our eyes to new approaches and practices is why Norfolk Marine has been around for 60 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Our balance of experience and vision for the future in selling the best products in our industry is why our company felt compelled to be a part of the Boating Industry Top 100.
Jason Murphy
Norfolk Marine

Thank You! Every time we have our annual dealership audits for Master Dealer, we always come out with areas that we need to refocus on and pay some attention to. We take these dealership audits as opportunities to learn and improve, not just do it for the sake of doing it. I feel like that this application has brought to our attention areas we can improve. Every dealership in the country should be required to do this questionnaire annually in order to benefit and improve their dealership. The benefits are extraordinary as what is written is done 90 percent of the time more than what is just thought or talked about. Realizing that we are not perfect and have many opportunities we strive constantly to improve our business in every area. We look forward to being a part of the Top 100 Dealers, if you find us worthy.
Jeff and Rick Hall and Rick Neal
Hall Marine Group

Question No. 13: Explain your dealership’s succession plan. This was an area where the Top 100 application last year really exposed our weakness. We thought we were doing fine with the stock transfer, the fact that my wife and I both work there and my father still is somewhat knowledgeable about the day-to-day happenings at Boat Town. Since then, we have made measurable steps to improve this area and that the dealership would go forward with everybody knowing their place, job and responsibility should something happen to us. Question No. 22: What accolades has your dealership been recognized for?
In 2005, we ranked No. 42 in Boating Industry’s Top 100. We feel this is our best award to date.
Robert Clayton Raven
Boat Town, Inc.

Question No. 23: What are you most proud of about your business? … Lastly, in 2005 being recognized as one of the Top 100 Dealers in North America. No one will ever be able to take that away from us, and I am thrilled someone actually started such an incredible program and target to shoot for. Top 100 made my mom proud. We received tons of letters and calls congratulating the achievement and most importantly it validated everything we have been trying to accomplish since taking ownership in 1986.
Don MacKenzie
Boats Incorporated