Fluid Marine Sold!!!!!!!!!!

For those who are unfamiliar with Sea Sport Boats, these boats are very popular for use in the rough water areas of NW Washington and throughout Alaska. Many of the Charter Captains in SE Alaska swear by their Sea Sports due to the build quality, stable platform, large fish fighting cockpit area, high re-sale value and rough water safety, year after year.

What may not be as well known is the Lindhout name. When I mentioned to some long time Sitkan's that Sea Sport had purchased C-Dory, I was quickly assured how fortunate we were. In a small community that will trash you for the slightest indiscretion, the Lindhout family is highly thought of due to their integrity.

I personally have never met Jeff, but on this island where fishing and boats supply a vast majority of our income despite the dangerous waters surrounding us, the Lindhouts and Sea Sport Boats enjoy exceptional reputations.

Congratulations go out to all owners of C-Dory vessels, some how our little company has survived and has now been purchased by an even better organization. I for one look forward to this new relationship.

Thanks Jeff for bringing us aboard your team!

"Chivita" Dave
 
Welcome and good luck, Jeff. It takes some chutzpah to make a significant investment in fixed assets these days, and take on the accompanying additional overhead/fixed costs, not to mention the desire/pressure to actually make a buck. I really believe this will prove to be a good investment for everyone concerned...you guys have been doing this (building boats, and great ones) for a long time, and know the market.

As you know from this site, the C-Dory line comes with a great "peanut gallery" at no extra charge. Lots of ideas here...some of them may not even ruin you!

I'll second the vote from Capt Dan (Osprey) and offer support for Dave Miller @ Northwest Outlet in Superior, WI. From what I can tell, NWO was the only dealer east of anything for the longest time. My wife and I drove 650 miles to buy from Dave, and came home with our new boat in the worst snowstorm I have ever driven in. And NWO made the whole journey worth it. I have the same respect for Dave so many folks have for Marc Grove and Wefings in Apalachicola and for Les at E.Q.

Anyway, good luck and I wish the best for you and the C-Dory family.
 
Hi Jeff,

Good to hear that C-Dory is in the hands of a real boat builder. We were in the canoe business for twenty five years and saw fine canoe builders (Old Town-Mad River Wilderness Systems ) gobbled up by a bunch if money men. The money men did not care about the dealer net work and started to sell to the big box retailers. The quality also fell off. Glad to be retired!

Looking at the map of C-Dory Dealers I see a lot of empty space and I know from talking with past dealers that they were not treated well by past owners. Our dealer was Cutter Marine in Maryland and the did a fine job representing C-Dory. They were dropped apparently for not stocking the entire line. Each area of the country has special needs and the dealer should be able to stock what he can sell. I wish you all the best in making and selling the boats so many of us love. Who knows I may be an owner again some day.

Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)
 
After taking J's boyfriend to SeaTac Airport this morning, I took a quick detour to the "very recently" old C-Dory factory and it appeared all "buttoned up" with no sign of activity and no boats in sight. (Definitely, looks like "history"). (Certainly glad that I knew about the factory move before I drove past there!). Then I drove on to Bellevue to eat lunch with J after she got out of classes at noon.
 
I'll add the following observations: 1. The blending in of SeaSport robustness and build quality to the awesome C-Dory design concept is sure to be a winner. 2. I second the notion of inviting EQ Harbor Service back into the dealer network. Fact is, I've been thinking about an Arima for my next boat cos' I can buy it from EQ! Regards to the new owners! Mike.
 
First, I've been away from the site for just over a week, and come home and find out SleepyC has adopted new parents. OK, as long as she is still in the preferred parking spot.

Second, Jeff, welcome aboard and all the best wishes in the new and hopefully very productive C-dory venture (apologies to C-Dory, but that word didn't fit there). We have also looked at Sea Sports and appreciate the fine and hardy workmanship. Our preference was toward the outboard power and the truly accidental find was our beloved 22 Cruiser. Recently at a local state park dock we had a chance to look at a very nice "customized" OB C-Sport :wink with a nice storage space in the motor well and a custom bracket on the stern with the OB power out there. Great work and very satisfied customers.

Third, Charlie, (in reference to the Sea Sport photo on page 1) I have been thinking of repowering, for better fuel economy, I just hadn't yet figured on doing it with the 9.9's but now I see i can do it as still maintain my twin OB advantages. :thup :thup

Fourth, With the new ownership and moving the factory, I am guessing there will be some jobs lost in Auburn, and I am sorry for that. The SBS and factory tour will change, hopefully we will not loose the SBS CBGT where ever it is held :idea: this may open it up to a new facility that fits the group needs even better.

For the last 20% of my $0.02, I think that the C-Brats have a very good handle on which dealers are worth a shot at keeping in the mix and which are not worth the time for the phone call. There are owners here who have had excellent relationships with their dealers/service centers and some who have had less than that. A PM to Jeff with a yea or nay couldn't hurt.

and the freebee gotcha "sea-brats.com" -- yup, ya got me too :roll: good on ya,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
I see this as very encouraging. C-Dory was purchased by a company that knows how to make good quality fiberglass boats and has a well deserved reputation.

In my marina (Edmonds, WA) I would estimate 10% of the boats are SeaSports...that's about 100 in one marina. Everyday is like a SSGT! Obviously, I haven't talked to all the owners, but I haven't met a SeaSport owner who complained about the quality of his boat.

I was especially encouraged by Jeff's statement,
Sea Sport has stayed true to our niche of remaining smaller and building high quality boats and this has kept us going since 1955. Our intention is to keep the same successful game plan with C-Dory as well. The C-Dory boats are a perfect fit for what we do and I couldn't be more pleased about having the opportunity to build them.
Click to expand...

This echos everything I've read on this site about boat building.

I look forward to learning more.
 
Welcome, Jeff!

As others have said before, you have a gold mine here at this site. I hope your company takes full advantage of the knowlege and enthusiasm here. We're a bit fanatical about our boats. :lol:

Sea Sports have a fabulous reputation in Alaska. By my own casual observation, the overwhelming majority of fiberglass boats in Kodiak were Sea Sports. Never met an owner who didn't love their boat as much as we love ours. Best of luck and :beer to a solid future!

Rick & Donna
 
Hey Jeff. Nice to see someone from a family business building the C-Dory boats with a love for the boats.

If you are ever in the Nashville area, or want to get together with a crew of us from the eastern side, drop me a line. Several of us starting to congregate in the Nashville...and 150 mile circle now... in fact....some of our C-Brat friends are weathering out these bad lightening storms tonight....in a cove just down river a bit...and I will see the Russels from AR around noon tommorow.

We have done several gatherings around Nashville and the Cumberland and would love for you and any of your crew to join us. Or..look forward to meeting you and your crew on my next trip up to the NW corner later in the month...

Cheers :beer :beer and look forward to meeting you soon.

Byrdman
 
Cfoster from KY brought this thread back up on a new link and was reffered back here...

Thanks Cfoster...cause this was back in Jun...and we are now in October.

So what is going on with the C-Dory hull builds now?

Jeff....talk to us. I will be out in the NW soon if not next week... May run up to Bellingham for a visit.

Byrdman
 
It's good to have Byrd Man on the move. He sure doesn't let any barnacles grow on him from sitting in one place. I hope he visits the factory and gives us the latest info.

If the factory is following this string of posts I want to say again that we need a dealer to cover the Chesapeake Bay area. Cutter Marine always had a big display at all the boat shows in the area. They should be at the top of the list for a dealer in this area. Their service was always on time and most important done right the first visit.

Thanks in advance to Byrd Man for his report if he visits the factory.

Fred, Pat, and Mr Grey(the cat)
 
I hope they can find a way to add another dealer in Michigan. Colony Marine would be a better choice with 3 locations. 2 have access to big water. Far better suited for sales than the current location. I haven't yet met a happy C-Dory owner from there. I see a 22 or 25 in my future and don't want to drive 1000 plus miles to the next closest dealer.
 
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