Boat Brands When Buying a Used Boat When buying a used boat, the brand may not be as crucial as you think. The key factors to consider are the boat’s individual history and how well it has been maintained. Boat brands can change hands, altering their quality and reputation over time. Therefore, a used boat’s… Read More...

A Guide to Selling Your Used Boat Selling a used boat successfully hinges on a few critical steps: Start by thoroughly cleaning and depersonalizing your boat, making it easier for potential buyers to envision it as their own. High-quality, high-resolution photographs in landscape format are essential for making a strong first impression online. Accurate pricing… Read More...

Navigating the Waters of Pre-Owned Vessels: Insider Tips for Used Boat Buyers When buying a used boat, conduct a thorough inspection for red flags such as hull damage, engine problems, and poor maintenance. Always perform a sea trial to assess the boat’s performance on the water. Check for signs of wear like rust or discoloration,… Read More...

How to Buy a Boat (New or Used) in 2024: An In-Depth Guide To buy a boat in 2024, start by setting a realistic budget, considering both the purchase price and the total cost of ownership, including storage, insurance, and maintenance. Determine how you’ll use the boat most of the time to decide on the… Read More...

What is the Best Time of Year to Buy a Boat? The best time to buy a boat is during the late boating season or early fall. This period offers maximum discounting, highest trade values, and the most lenient terms as dealers are looking to clear inventory for the next model year. You’ll find more… Read More...

To avoid boat buyer’s remorse, consider these key tips: Performance Match: Ensure the boat’s power and size match your intended use and conditions. Appropriate Selection: Choose the right type of boat for your activities, whether it’s fishing, cruising, or watersports. Quality Trailer: Invest in a reliable trailer that fits your boat to avoid breakdowns and… Read More...

In the vast and competitive seascape of the marine industry, the art of negotiation between a boat broker and a potential buyer is akin to a well-choreographed maritime ballet. The phrase “I need to talk to the manager” is a familiar refrain, echoing through the docks and sales offices of boat dealerships. But what truly… Read More...

The sea calls to many with its siren song of adventure, freedom, and tranquility. However, for those looking to purchase their vessel to answer this call, the process can be fraught with less-than-honest practices by boat dealers. You must be aware of the signs of an impending storm, a boat buyer must be vigilant for… Read More...

In the vast sea of potential clients, marine service providers must navigate carefully to avoid the treacherous currents of bad business. Just as a seasoned captain can read the waves, so too must the savvy service provider discern which clients to bring aboard and which to leave at the dock. To start: a minimum price… Read More...

The marine industry, with its vast oceans of opportunity, is as treacherous as it is promising. “Your business is gonna fail… it’s because they all fail.” This stark warning is not just a pessimistic forecast but a call to understand the undercurrents that lead to failure and how to navigate them successfully. The Siren Call… Read More...

In the vast ocean of business strategies, the decision to sail solo or with a crew can make all the difference in navigating towards success. For many entrepreneurs, particularly in the marine industry, the allure of expanding their crew with employees or helpers is tempered by the siren call of independence and financial freedom. This… Read More...

In the vast ocean of businesses, attracting and retaining customers is akin to navigating through treacherous waters. Let’s dive deep into the marine service industry and understand how to anchor customers for life. Follow Merrill Charette for more content and join www.shipshape.pro Understand the Depth of Your Service: It’s crucial to grasp the intricacies of… Read More...

In today’s competitive marine service industry, customer loyalty is the linchpin of success. But what is customer loyalty, and how can marine service providers cultivate it? We’ll delve into the essence of customer loyalty and how it can be the game-changer for businesses in the marine sector. Follow Merrill Charette for more content and check… Read More...

In today’s fast-paced world, where time is a luxury and everyone is looking for convenience, there’s a compelling argument to be made about the clientele you should target in your business. Here’s an in-depth look at why targeting a wealthier clientele can be beneficial for your business. Follow Merrill Charette for more content Experience Over… Read More...

“Hourly versus estimating… what works for me might not work for the guy down in Louisiana.”  The debate between working hourly and estimating is not new, especially in industries like marine services where projects can vary greatly in scope and complexity. Let’s explore this topic Follow Merrill Charette and join SHIPSHAPE.PRO if your a business… Read More...

The marine trades industry is a vast and diverse field, encompassing everything from boat building and repair to marine engineering and navigation. But how does one get started in this lucrative and rewarding field? We’ll explore the key principles of building a successful career in the marine trades, with a special focus on trust, value,… Read More...

The marine service industry, much like any other service-oriented business, requires meticulous scheduling and management. Let’s dive into the intricacies of scheduling marine service jobs effectively. Follow Merrill Charette for more content Understanding Customer Expectations “How do you tell a customer that you very much want their work but it’s going to be X numbers… Read More...

In a world where the marine service industry is evolving rapidly, the ethics of doing business and the pursuit of wealth are topics that cannot be ignored. Lets delve into the intricacies of these subjects and how they relate to the marine service sector. Understanding the Value of Your Service The marine service industry, much… Read More...

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the debate between pursuing a college education and diving straight into manual labor is more relevant than ever. Let’s explore the pros and cons of both paths. Follow: Merrill Charette for more content The College Pathway The traditional route of attending college has its merits. For many, it’s a rite… Read More...

The Art of Boating Etiquette: A Guide for New and Seasoned Boaters Navigating the serene waters and feeling the gentle breeze on your face is an experience many cherish. But beyond the allure of the open seas and tranquil lakes lies the responsibility of understanding the unspoken language of the waters: boating etiquette. As the… Read More...

One of the most pressing issues in the marine industry today is how to attract and retain young talent. Workforce development seminars are a common fixture of marine industry events, reflecting a growing concern about the industry’s ability to engage with the next generation. However, in my experience, many people in the industry publicly express… Read More...

A brief history of Maritime Maritime industry has a long and varied history, stretching back centuries and shaping the development of humanity in ways that are often overlooked by modern day scholars and citizens alike. Despite being often overshadowed by other industries, maritime has had numerous impacts on culture, economy and society throughout time.  The… Read More...

Why is ocean mysterious The ocean is a mysterious and thrilling force of nature that has captivated humans since ancient times. It covers most of the planet’s surface, yet its depths remain a mystery to us. It is home to spectacular and unusual creatures. It is also home to a vast array of unknowns, an… Read More...

Difference between SuperYacht and MegaYacht This question I have posed to many people, in which all give a uniquely different perspective. But here is an attempt to come up with an explanation of the difference: A SuperYacht is a large, luxury yacht that is typically used for recreational purposes and is usually owned by a… Read More...

Marketing in the recreational boating industry is a challenging and complex task. This is due to the fact that the market is highly competitive, dynamic and saturated – there are also many quality competitors in the space. A number of factors make it difficult to effectively market to recreational boaters. These include, the fragmented nature… Read More...

The age old question of what is better: a old boat or a new boat. Ive heard the story spun so many ways and personally I like the older boats for their style, just like old muscle cars, but below are some non-biased thoughts. Old boats are often thought of as being better than new… Read More...

How much does a boat cost? The lawyer in me wants to say “it depends”. Ive seen a 50ft sailboat go for nothing, hell the owner had to pay to get it removed and I’ve seen 25ft powerboats go for a million at the boat show.  The cost of a boat depends on a variety… Read More...

What do you think about when you hear the word treasure? A description of a loved one? A relic in a cave destined to be disturbed by Dr. Jones or The Lady Croft? A huge pile of gold crested by a sleeping Dragon? A chest full of doubloons hidden in a cave? All good answers,… Read More...

Sea Stories What makes a good sea story? From childhood, through school and into adulthood we see countless examples of nautical fiction. Nautical fiction, also known as naval, sea and maritime fiction, is defined as a genre of literature with a setting on or near the sea.  But can that be it? Would stories ranging… Read More...

Data is King One of the pioneers of the world wide web once told me that data is king. My time in the maritime space has justifiably validated that statement over the years. It has also been said that “to predict the future, you must know the past”. In this case that knowledge of the… Read More...

Digital Presence and Its Direct Correlation with Success There is a clear connection between the excellence of your website and brand image with the company’s overall success, as I have discovered via my work with SHIPSHAPE.PRO and MIDA (Marine Industry Digital Agency). According to statistics, 88% of all online purchasers looking for goods or services… Read More...

On Board for Success   Meet the minds behind United Marine Systems / SHIPSHAPE Whether you’re new to the marine industry, have a passion for the sea, or like to take your boat out once in a while for a quick ride of the waves, it’s always reassuring to know you have a support system… Read More...

Words of Wisdom from a Pro Diver We met Brian LeBlanc, a professional driver with 21 years of diverse diving experience. He has had four to five thousand dives within the last 9 plus years since he joined J&B Underwater Services as a partner. According to Brian the underwater world is mysterious yet calming thanks… Read More...

Buy Your First Boat In 7 Steps If you’ve read our articles or listened to our podcast, you must have felt an inkling of a desire to have a boat of your own and venture to one of those beautiful harbors. How expensive is it to buy a boat, you say? Relax, you don’t need… Read More...

11 Pitfalls Of Buying A Used Boat They say that the two most rewarding days of a boat owner’s life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it. We believe that is not a winning mentality. If purchased properly and taken care of, as you would your firstborn, a boat… Read More...

Gauging Seaworthiness Seaworthiness is a complicated measure – the context cannot be confined to whether a boat can stay afloat or not. It has multiple connotations across varying frames of reference ranging from the “safe to sail” hardware angle to the skill and competence of the crew manning a vessel. Being a mode of transport,… Read More...

There was a time when nations raced to launch the first man into space. With the buzz these days around renewables, alternative energy, and legislature like the FAST Electricity Act. one can deduce what the race is for this time. In the wake of the green revolution, the industry is on full throttle to transform… Read More...

The boating lifestyle has never been more in vogue than it is now, making boat owners (along with the products and services they require) the anchors of the marine economy. According to a recent survey by the NMMA: There are over 17,000,000 registered boats in the US and there are 35,277 marine businesses in North… Read More...