Hello everybody. My name is Steve. I have been a shadow member here since last summer when I first discovered the C-Dory boat line and this site. I'm pleased and excited to announce that my wife and I are the newest owners of a Marinaut 215. My hull, #4, is complete and is currently in assembly and then off to rigging. I expect to take delivery next month. We will be Les' third boat on the water when done.
First let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the two site admins, Mike and Bill. This is a great community that you have set up and allowed to grow and flourish. I have spent countless hours here researching and refining my purchase decision and quite frankly it would not have been possible without this site. An endeavor like this has to be a labor of love and it shows. Well done.
And to all of the active site contributors - many, many thanks to you as well. Without your countless discussions, pictures, and stories I would probably still be wondering what my next boat would be. Sharing your knowledge, your experiences, and your varied uses of the boat has been a wonderful education for me. It has opened my eyes to many possibilities that I really never thought existed for this size boat.
I've been day boating and fishing for a long time on boats 20' and under and I've known I've wanted a boat like this boat for a while, I just didn't know exactly what "this" was. I'm a "northeast coaster" and we do not see many pilothouse style boats similar to C-Dorys nor have much like it to choose from. Finding a warm and dry, trailer-able boat that you are equally comfortable sleeping on for a night or two, fishing or cruising on the coast or inland on the lakes and rivers and one that won't break the bank at every turn just doesn't happen.
Last summer I had the opportunity to spend the day on a friend's 24' Osprey - my intro to a NW style pilothouse. Not too long afterward I saw the BoatUS cover story on Bill and El. Noticing the similarities and spending some time searching on line I found the brand's sites and with the help of the C-Brats was able to piece together the brands relationships and the rich and twisted history. All the while I was reading about what Dave and Les were trying to do with upstart Marinaut Boat Co.. The rest was as we say "is history". I quickly knew what I wanted in a boat and realized how much I didn't know and had to learn. It's really been fascinating and fun learning about what you do and where you go with these boats. At times it's been very challenging but at all times rewarding and always a virtual great get away.
There were a lot of things that went into my decision to go with a Marinaut over a C-Dory, but other than the boat itself, one of the single biggest was and still is Les Lampman. His experience and knowledge, attention to detail, unwillingness to cut corners, openness and honesty and loyalty to the brand really set him apart. All this became evident and is proved out over time on this site and the respect and friendship that you all have for him and likewise he has for many of you. So, again my hats off to you all.
And I'd like to especially thank Rich and Betty of the Betty Ann, owners of the first Marinaut, for sharing their time and experience with the boat. Though my decision was largely made prior to their purchase announcement last year, I was able follow the build of their boat and to trial their boat with Les this spring when they took delivery and that helped solidify things for me. My wife and I have subsequently enjoyed time with them on their boat and are striking up a new friendship. They are genuinely nice people. This is what it's ultimately all about, enjoying time with family and friends on the water.
This is my first post so I hope to do it right the first time.
I've refrained from posting prior to this as I don't have a lot new to bring to the table and many of my questions have been answered here and there in the volume of terrific posts. So thank you again to all for contributing to this site in the ways that you do and for welcoming into the C-brat family the Marinaut.
First let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the two site admins, Mike and Bill. This is a great community that you have set up and allowed to grow and flourish. I have spent countless hours here researching and refining my purchase decision and quite frankly it would not have been possible without this site. An endeavor like this has to be a labor of love and it shows. Well done.
And to all of the active site contributors - many, many thanks to you as well. Without your countless discussions, pictures, and stories I would probably still be wondering what my next boat would be. Sharing your knowledge, your experiences, and your varied uses of the boat has been a wonderful education for me. It has opened my eyes to many possibilities that I really never thought existed for this size boat.
I've been day boating and fishing for a long time on boats 20' and under and I've known I've wanted a boat like this boat for a while, I just didn't know exactly what "this" was. I'm a "northeast coaster" and we do not see many pilothouse style boats similar to C-Dorys nor have much like it to choose from. Finding a warm and dry, trailer-able boat that you are equally comfortable sleeping on for a night or two, fishing or cruising on the coast or inland on the lakes and rivers and one that won't break the bank at every turn just doesn't happen.
Last summer I had the opportunity to spend the day on a friend's 24' Osprey - my intro to a NW style pilothouse. Not too long afterward I saw the BoatUS cover story on Bill and El. Noticing the similarities and spending some time searching on line I found the brand's sites and with the help of the C-Brats was able to piece together the brands relationships and the rich and twisted history. All the while I was reading about what Dave and Les were trying to do with upstart Marinaut Boat Co.. The rest was as we say "is history". I quickly knew what I wanted in a boat and realized how much I didn't know and had to learn. It's really been fascinating and fun learning about what you do and where you go with these boats. At times it's been very challenging but at all times rewarding and always a virtual great get away.
There were a lot of things that went into my decision to go with a Marinaut over a C-Dory, but other than the boat itself, one of the single biggest was and still is Les Lampman. His experience and knowledge, attention to detail, unwillingness to cut corners, openness and honesty and loyalty to the brand really set him apart. All this became evident and is proved out over time on this site and the respect and friendship that you all have for him and likewise he has for many of you. So, again my hats off to you all.
And I'd like to especially thank Rich and Betty of the Betty Ann, owners of the first Marinaut, for sharing their time and experience with the boat. Though my decision was largely made prior to their purchase announcement last year, I was able follow the build of their boat and to trial their boat with Les this spring when they took delivery and that helped solidify things for me. My wife and I have subsequently enjoyed time with them on their boat and are striking up a new friendship. They are genuinely nice people. This is what it's ultimately all about, enjoying time with family and friends on the water.
This is my first post so I hope to do it right the first time.
I've refrained from posting prior to this as I don't have a lot new to bring to the table and many of my questions have been answered here and there in the volume of terrific posts. So thank you again to all for contributing to this site in the ways that you do and for welcoming into the C-brat family the Marinaut.
