EQ Marine ???? Update from Pacific North West Area Please
- Thread starter Byrdman
- Start date
I was at EQ this weekend to pick up my boat. At present, EQ is being run by Kathy and staff. Les appears to have moved on to other interests and Kathy didn't have control of the web site or email server. Kathy indicated that she was setting up a new web site which she anticipated she would have up and running later this week. The new site will be http://www.eqharbor.com/ - right now there is just a stub there but I know Kathy is working on it. Carl (Karl?) is back working in the shop and is healthy. A marinaut that had been on order for awhile recently shipped.
It's not clear what is the long term plan for the Marinaut or what Les is up to right now. I understand he was recently re-married. Hopefully, he'll come back on the site and let us know what he's up to.
It's not clear what is the long term plan for the Marinaut or what Les is up to right now. I understand he was recently re-married. Hopefully, he'll come back on the site and let us know what he's up to.
skiptowns98033
Member
Les departed for the Philippines in search of a new bride, got married and decided not return to EQ as initially planned. He is no longer part of the organization.
journey on
New member
The new web site doesn't mention the Marinaut, or indeed any new boats. Is this lack a short term situation?
Boris
Boris
I have absolutely no idea what has happened in this case. My comments are pure conjecture.
In my business life I met many people who invented or otherwise came up with "a better mouse trap". Most couldn't imagine why the world did not beat a path to their door. The answer is that developing a great product is only 20% of a success story. Identifying the market, producing the product and taking it to market is 80%.
I don't know whether the Marinaut was a great product or not. I never saw one. I do know that the market for boats like the C-Dory and the Marinaut went through a major shift around 2007/8. Economics and demographics combined to make that shift. Good business people like Fluid Marine recognized the shift and adjusted their model accordingly. Think about Ranger and Cutwater.
There is probably a decent sub-niche market for new C-Dory boats based on history and brand recognition. I sincerely hope so since they are fine boats. To try and bring a spin off boat like the Marinaut into the market required not only a great product and real commitment. It required very deep pockets and a recognition that the project would probably never be economically viable. It needed a rich person who wanted a toy. From what I read here I don't think Les fitted that description. With any luck he has found a found a wife who will bring him peace and happiness. Someone who will be a partner and supporter when he has new dreams but someone who is also well grounded in reality.
I truly wish him the very best.
In my business life I met many people who invented or otherwise came up with "a better mouse trap". Most couldn't imagine why the world did not beat a path to their door. The answer is that developing a great product is only 20% of a success story. Identifying the market, producing the product and taking it to market is 80%.
I don't know whether the Marinaut was a great product or not. I never saw one. I do know that the market for boats like the C-Dory and the Marinaut went through a major shift around 2007/8. Economics and demographics combined to make that shift. Good business people like Fluid Marine recognized the shift and adjusted their model accordingly. Think about Ranger and Cutwater.
There is probably a decent sub-niche market for new C-Dory boats based on history and brand recognition. I sincerely hope so since they are fine boats. To try and bring a spin off boat like the Marinaut into the market required not only a great product and real commitment. It required very deep pockets and a recognition that the project would probably never be economically viable. It needed a rich person who wanted a toy. From what I read here I don't think Les fitted that description. With any luck he has found a found a wife who will bring him peace and happiness. Someone who will be a partner and supporter when he has new dreams but someone who is also well grounded in reality.
I truly wish him the very best.
skiptowns98033":3ow0k20v said:
Been following this site and the Marinaut for several years, read all of Les's comments, emailed him but never met him. This is just weird. He must either be wealthy or bankrupt if he can just sail away to the Philippines and leave all else behind.
Jake
South of Heaven
New member
Why is EQ so important and beloved by the Brats? Is it like the "home shop" for a lot of you? Good service, sales and memories over the years etc?
I wish I had a dealer around here that I felt the same way about. My experience as of recent with the local boat dealers and industry folks has been less than pleasant.
I wish I had a dealer around here that I felt the same way about. My experience as of recent with the local boat dealers and industry folks has been less than pleasant.
dotnmarty":32jer3rf said:
Marty is right, :thup :thup Again, Still, and Some More :thup :thup
EQ Was one of the original C-Dory Dealers, and One of the 2 best, arguably. Les Would give you the time of day or the whole nautical encyclopedia if you asked. Kathy was the woman behind the man, Always there, as has been aptly put "the wind beneath (his/my/the) wings.
Best to both.
(Oh, the other "best". Marc at Wefings. Another gem in the C-Dory history.)
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
I talked to Kathy just yesterday. They plan to get the Marinaut operation back up and running. It's still a good boat and a good design. As some of you may recall, the primary hull and cabin building was being done outside of EQ (by other boat companies) but the final assembly, finishing and rigging was being done at EQ (mostly by Stan). Stan is still with EQ and is still excited about building boats. Whether or not they can make a profit in the long run on those boats remains to be seen but it's my understanding that they intend to give it a go.
As for what is up with Les, there's no point in us speculating or spreading rumors, let's wait for him to reappear and indicate what he's up to and he if doesn't I know those of us who know him still wish him the best.
As for why EQ is so beloved by many of us, I'd say it's quality, reliable service you can trust at a reasonable price. I've been dragging my boats past many other vendors to get it serviced at EQ for many years. The few times I went elsewhere, I got charged a lot more money for much poorer work.
As for what is up with Les, there's no point in us speculating or spreading rumors, let's wait for him to reappear and indicate what he's up to and he if doesn't I know those of us who know him still wish him the best.
As for why EQ is so beloved by many of us, I'd say it's quality, reliable service you can trust at a reasonable price. I've been dragging my boats past many other vendors to get it serviced at EQ for many years. The few times I went elsewhere, I got charged a lot more money for much poorer work.
My only interaction with Les was when I had EQ install our kicker. I could have done it, but time = money and Les (sorry, don't remember the name of the actual mechanic) was able to get it done quickly, at a very fair price and on time. His mechanic took the time to instruct me on the ins/outs of the engine, how to winterize it etc and I have nothing but compliment son the service.
At the time Les showed me the first Marinaut they were building and it appeared he was very excited by the new opportunity. This was years ago, at least 4 or 5 IIRC.
The rest of it is his/her personal business. I will not rumor or speculate on any of it.
At the time Les showed me the first Marinaut they were building and it appeared he was very excited by the new opportunity. This was years ago, at least 4 or 5 IIRC.
The rest of it is his/her personal business. I will not rumor or speculate on any of it.
PaulNBriannaLynn
New member
We bought our boat from EQ and I couldn't have had a better experience anywhere. He took the time to take me out through deception pass and showed me all the nuances of the boat. He would have been happy to spend days talking with me, I never felt like I was wasting his time or he was too busy to deal with me.
This was 3 years ago, and we talked about his retirement plans at that time. I'm happy to hear he followed through with some of those dreams. The personal stuff I could care less about, s*^$ happens!
I had a trip planned to Sekiu and one of my outboards wouldnt idle at all, and was thinking of cancelling the trip. I called up Les, and he said bring it down will get you fixed up. After Carl messed around with it and got the gunk cleaned out of the jets, I was on my way to Sekiu. I think Les charged me $90.
This was 3 years ago, and we talked about his retirement plans at that time. I'm happy to hear he followed through with some of those dreams. The personal stuff I could care less about, s*^$ happens!
I had a trip planned to Sekiu and one of my outboards wouldnt idle at all, and was thinking of cancelling the trip. I called up Les, and he said bring it down will get you fixed up. After Carl messed around with it and got the gunk cleaned out of the jets, I was on my way to Sekiu. I think Les charged me $90.
Jason:
As others have mentioned Les was a great guy. He had already moved on from C-Dory, but his apparent moving on from EQ Marine will be a psychological blow to the Western Washington small boat community. Imagine making a boat purchase or going in for maintenance/repairs and having your expectations exceeded every time. Imagine a dealer so honest he would talk you out of purchasing a boat or motor of his if he knew it wasn't the right fit. Or would tell you frankly that an option you were considering was a poor value. Or that a particular model of an engine line (which he could make money selling to you) was trouble prone.
Les would spend any amount of time you wished going over fussy details and getting things just right for you. On his website he would post treatises about the various aspects of boat and motor selection and use for your reading enjoyment. If you were thinking about buying, he would market your used boat for free, then handle the sale through his dealership as a courtesy.
By 2006 or so he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the slipping QC of the products C-Dory was putting out as they ramped up production. Rather than compromise his values he walked away from the line, leaving the W. Washington market to a few bigger dealers who marketed boats in the usual manner. He kept the Arima line until they went under, tricked out several Rosborough's, and followed his heart into the manufacture of the Marinaut line. I feel the Marinaut represents his best attempt at "pure quality, one boat at a time", which as others have mentioned is not always economically viable. Those who own a Marinaut, however, have a damn good boat.
I wish Les nothing but the best going forward. The boating business is a challenging and highly cyclical one, and it could be he's simply decided to move on. I do hope he pops up occasionally to let us know how he's doing.
As others have mentioned Les was a great guy. He had already moved on from C-Dory, but his apparent moving on from EQ Marine will be a psychological blow to the Western Washington small boat community. Imagine making a boat purchase or going in for maintenance/repairs and having your expectations exceeded every time. Imagine a dealer so honest he would talk you out of purchasing a boat or motor of his if he knew it wasn't the right fit. Or would tell you frankly that an option you were considering was a poor value. Or that a particular model of an engine line (which he could make money selling to you) was trouble prone.
Les would spend any amount of time you wished going over fussy details and getting things just right for you. On his website he would post treatises about the various aspects of boat and motor selection and use for your reading enjoyment. If you were thinking about buying, he would market your used boat for free, then handle the sale through his dealership as a courtesy.
By 2006 or so he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the slipping QC of the products C-Dory was putting out as they ramped up production. Rather than compromise his values he walked away from the line, leaving the W. Washington market to a few bigger dealers who marketed boats in the usual manner. He kept the Arima line until they went under, tricked out several Rosborough's, and followed his heart into the manufacture of the Marinaut line. I feel the Marinaut represents his best attempt at "pure quality, one boat at a time", which as others have mentioned is not always economically viable. Those who own a Marinaut, however, have a damn good boat.
I wish Les nothing but the best going forward. The boating business is a challenging and highly cyclical one, and it could be he's simply decided to move on. I do hope he pops up occasionally to let us know how he's doing.
RoseDoctor
New member
I just bought a Marinaut 215 from EQ. It is the original Marinaut built by Dave Toland back in 2010 - navy blue hull with a bright red stripe, white upper with black windows and red trim. Stunning boat!
Les and I had been working on some serious mods to the boat for several months when he sort of dropped out of sight. I'm told he is in the Philippines and is not coming back. Mods included power windlass, autopilot, interior upgrades, canvas bimini and storm curtain, etc. But most important was a set of kayak saddles and a davit on top that will enable my wife and me to haul our 16-foot sea kayaks wherever we please on Puget Sound. It doesn't get any better than that!
I brought the boat ("Seeker") to Olympia last week and she is sitting in Puget Marina awaiting installation of my 115 Suzuki 4-stroke. We hope to have her on the water in early May - just in time for the start of boating season here in the Northwest.
As far as I know, Kathy is pretty much running the show with Stan and Carl doing the boat building. I didn't see anything under construction there last week. I wish them all well - they are quality folks.
Gary
Les and I had been working on some serious mods to the boat for several months when he sort of dropped out of sight. I'm told he is in the Philippines and is not coming back. Mods included power windlass, autopilot, interior upgrades, canvas bimini and storm curtain, etc. But most important was a set of kayak saddles and a davit on top that will enable my wife and me to haul our 16-foot sea kayaks wherever we please on Puget Sound. It doesn't get any better than that!
I brought the boat ("Seeker") to Olympia last week and she is sitting in Puget Marina awaiting installation of my 115 Suzuki 4-stroke. We hope to have her on the water in early May - just in time for the start of boating season here in the Northwest.
As far as I know, Kathy is pretty much running the show with Stan and Carl doing the boat building. I didn't see anything under construction there last week. I wish them all well - they are quality folks.
Gary