Triton Comes Through
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kevin ware
New member
The family that owns Triton are the same folks that started and ran SeaSport in Bellingham, WA., and have been in business for ages. We bought a SeaSport from them some years ago. For us they are "local" people, known to build a good product.
When the recession hit, Sea Sport (aka Triton) shrunk their operation dramatically...but still stayed in business, whereas C-Dory and Osprey (also local) went out of business. When that happened the Sea Sport folks were able to buy their old competitor's molds and designs at a very good price, which is the reason why are three product lines are now in Bellingham.
The present Triton operation is located on the west side of I-5, just north of Bellingham, and we have stopped by to see them a couple of times. The operation is much smaller that the old Sea Sport one, but all the molds are there, and they are still making boats in the small factory out back.
They are the same very pleasant and decent folks to deal with, and I would expect they will make a real business comeback when the economy finally turns around. And, that will be a good thing and long overdue thing to see!
Kevin Ware
Mt. Vernon, WA.
Tom Cat 25.5
When the recession hit, Sea Sport (aka Triton) shrunk their operation dramatically...but still stayed in business, whereas C-Dory and Osprey (also local) went out of business. When that happened the Sea Sport folks were able to buy their old competitor's molds and designs at a very good price, which is the reason why are three product lines are now in Bellingham.
The present Triton operation is located on the west side of I-5, just north of Bellingham, and we have stopped by to see them a couple of times. The operation is much smaller that the old Sea Sport one, but all the molds are there, and they are still making boats in the small factory out back.
They are the same very pleasant and decent folks to deal with, and I would expect they will make a real business comeback when the economy finally turns around. And, that will be a good thing and long overdue thing to see!
Kevin Ware
Mt. Vernon, WA.
Tom Cat 25.5
My understanding is that the Wright Family originated Sea Sport and sold it to David Lindhout. This is from the Triton Marine web site:
Triton Marine Industries came into being in 2010, but its roots go back to the early 80's when Chuck Lindhout purchased a small marine repair facility down at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham called Marine Services NW.
Marine Services NW was an authorized dealer for Yamaha, Mercury, Mercruiser and Volvo Penta engines and the company took care of the boating needs of both the commercial and recreational boaters in the community.
The business expanded in the mid 80's by becoming a dealer for the renowned Sea Sport boat line. The company flourished as it became the largest dealer in the country for the simple yet rugged pilothouse style boats that became the boat of choice for the avid anglers in the harsh waters of Alaska.
Because the Lindhout family believed deeply in the quality and reputation that Sea Sport Boats had earned, they made the decision in 2000 to purchase the manufacturing facility in order to insure the commitment to quality would continue. The Lindhouts continued to build the Sea Sport boats adhering to the highest standard of boat building and over time added other pilothouse style boats to the lineup: including the Osprey, Skagit Orca and C-Dory boats.
In 2010 the Lindhouts combined manufacturing, service and sales all under one roof with the establishment of Triton Marine Industries in Ferndale Washington. It is our goal to continue building the premier boats in their class while offering unsurpassed customer service in our boat sales, service and rigging operations. We truly appreciate the support from our customers over the years and we hope that we can continue to serve you well in the future.
In Soundings Trade Only June 2009:
Sea Sport Boats Inc., of Bellingham, Wash., purchased the assets of Fluid Marine, the Auburn, Wash.-based builder of C-Dory, Skagit Orca and Tom Cat boats.
Sea Sport has been manufacturing boats for recreational use, charter use and governmental agencies since 1955. In 2006, the company purchased the assets of Osprey Boats and began building the Osprey line out of its Bellingham facility.
This is clarified by an article in the Bellingham Harold of May 2011:
Wright family closely watched the industry trends and saw a demand for enclosed boats in Alaska during the early 1980s. That led to SeaSport boats, which became commonly used in these waters as well as Alaska's.
Unfortunately the company did not survive the financial meltdown that ravaged the boat-building industry in 2008. SeaSport became cash-strapped and couldn't get financing extended from its lender, Horizon Bank, a Bellingham-based bank that would be shut down by government regulators in January 2010 and then taken over by Washington Federal. SeaSport went out of business, and the mold designs are still owned by the bank.
I have been told that Fluid Marine LLC still owns the C Dory molds and gets a royalty from each boat produced. (and this may be one of the reasons that when Sea Sport went under the C Dory molds were not seized as an asset).
Triton Marine Industries came into being in 2010, but its roots go back to the early 80's when Chuck Lindhout purchased a small marine repair facility down at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham called Marine Services NW.
Marine Services NW was an authorized dealer for Yamaha, Mercury, Mercruiser and Volvo Penta engines and the company took care of the boating needs of both the commercial and recreational boaters in the community.
The business expanded in the mid 80's by becoming a dealer for the renowned Sea Sport boat line. The company flourished as it became the largest dealer in the country for the simple yet rugged pilothouse style boats that became the boat of choice for the avid anglers in the harsh waters of Alaska.
Because the Lindhout family believed deeply in the quality and reputation that Sea Sport Boats had earned, they made the decision in 2000 to purchase the manufacturing facility in order to insure the commitment to quality would continue. The Lindhouts continued to build the Sea Sport boats adhering to the highest standard of boat building and over time added other pilothouse style boats to the lineup: including the Osprey, Skagit Orca and C-Dory boats.
In 2010 the Lindhouts combined manufacturing, service and sales all under one roof with the establishment of Triton Marine Industries in Ferndale Washington. It is our goal to continue building the premier boats in their class while offering unsurpassed customer service in our boat sales, service and rigging operations. We truly appreciate the support from our customers over the years and we hope that we can continue to serve you well in the future.
In Soundings Trade Only June 2009:
Sea Sport Boats Inc., of Bellingham, Wash., purchased the assets of Fluid Marine, the Auburn, Wash.-based builder of C-Dory, Skagit Orca and Tom Cat boats.
Sea Sport has been manufacturing boats for recreational use, charter use and governmental agencies since 1955. In 2006, the company purchased the assets of Osprey Boats and began building the Osprey line out of its Bellingham facility.
This is clarified by an article in the Bellingham Harold of May 2011:
Wright family closely watched the industry trends and saw a demand for enclosed boats in Alaska during the early 1980s. That led to SeaSport boats, which became commonly used in these waters as well as Alaska's.
Unfortunately the company did not survive the financial meltdown that ravaged the boat-building industry in 2008. SeaSport became cash-strapped and couldn't get financing extended from its lender, Horizon Bank, a Bellingham-based bank that would be shut down by government regulators in January 2010 and then taken over by Washington Federal. SeaSport went out of business, and the mold designs are still owned by the bank.
I have been told that Fluid Marine LLC still owns the C Dory molds and gets a royalty from each boat produced. (and this may be one of the reasons that when Sea Sport went under the C Dory molds were not seized as an asset).
Matt Gurnsey
New member
kevin ware":1isqiel6 said:
Kevin- your infpormation is incorrect. C-Dory did not go out of business, but sold. Sea Sport, which was sold by the foundersto the Lindouts, did go out of business, and Triton is the new company formed by the Sea Sport prinicples.
Small differences to be sure, but posted for accuracy.
Jack in Alaska
New member
It is great to hear that Triton Marine seems to be on the upswing. That should help keep my C-Dory from becoming an orphan.
I had a Corvair, 2 International Travelalls, 2 Evinrude snow mobiles and 2 C-Dorys. All became orphans as the companies went out of business. This news may save my latest C-Dory from that fate and I hope keep Triton on solid footing. It would be great to see rows of new CD's at their factory ready for delivery.
Good luck to them...........
I had a Corvair, 2 International Travelalls, 2 Evinrude snow mobiles and 2 C-Dorys. All became orphans as the companies went out of business. This news may save my latest C-Dory from that fate and I hope keep Triton on solid footing. It would be great to see rows of new CD's at their factory ready for delivery.
Good luck to them...........