Shep Browns sold?
 

I heard rumors - and that is all it might be! - that Shep Browns is sold or in the process of being sold to another marina. I am not sure which other marina might be involved. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?

I hope not, I like Shep Browns.

Maybe who you heard it from confused it with Channel Marine being bought by Winnisquam Marine?

Not a rumor
 

It is not a rumor.

Goodhue Hawkins.

Closing soon.

I wonder if these recent sales are good or bad for the lake.

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Wow, Sheps has been around for a long time...Glad to see at least that the marina who bought has also been around for a long time and is reputable.

Well wishes to both parties involved!

Dan

Tilton bb
 

Who is closing? Sheps or Goodhue?

Was at Goodhue + Hawkins recently for service and Sheps came up in convo. Not sure of the details or what stage of negotiation they're in but you can take it from there.

Thanks!
 

Thank you TiltonBB! I have been going to Shep's for many, many years. This year it has been busier than ever and the renovations look great! I am surprised by the sale - and will wish Bill well when I am back on the lake this weekend. I am sure owning and running a marina is an incredibly stressful and busy way to be on the lake!

I think he may have meant closing as in the closing of the sale.

Closing
 

Yup, probably, thank you Biggd

My boat is at Goodhue as we speak getting serviced (first time there), so far I am very impressed with the operation comparatively to some of the other places I've poked around. My impressions so far are organized, helpful, clean (big one for me) and busy. I'm confident they'll be getting my business in the future.

Well Sheps did loose both Monterey after many years of dealing them, that had to have hurt the business a little bit. They still seem to be plenty busy otherwise though.

Closing as in: Sale complete, documents recorded, money changed hands. New owner.

The business will remain open as usual, just with a different owner.

Looks like on or about August 18th

"Shep's has been around a long time" Same with Channel Marine and many others. The name doesn't change, but many of the "old" marinas have had several different owners over the years. As I recall, Brian Moriarty sold Glendale Marine and bought Shep's in the late eighties. Then he sold to the present owners and now it is selling again. (Glendale Marine was Goodhue Boat Yard when Brian bought it.) Somebody more familiar can correct me if the details are off, but selling boatyards is no different from selling car dealerships. Happens all the time, but now we have blogs and forums to talk about it with a wider audience. Good luck to the new owners

Article in the Laconia Daily Sun
 

Thanks all for the information! I remember Carl (I can pronounce but not spell his last name!) and Brian but am not old enough to have known Shep. Each new owner has brought a new vision while maintaining an outstanding staff, especially in the service department. I look forward to meeting the new owners and want to thank Bill and Charity - good luck in whatever the next step is!

News article announcing the sale
 

Today's (8/11) Laconia Sun artcle

"MEREDITH — A local marina that has been in operation for 98 years will soon have new ownership. Shep Brown’s Boat Basin is being acquired by Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard of Wolfeboro...."

doesn't G&H also own East Coast Flight Tech?

No, they do not.

thank you for clarification

While there is a relationship between the two companies... I do believe they remain separate entities...

I wish Bill jr and Charity the best, up go the prices

I heard over the weekend that they are taking on Chapparal and will be seeing boats on the ground in a few weeks.

Did Fay's lose (or get rid of) the Chaparral line?

Not sure, but the info came from a sheps employee.

I heard the same thing as well.

I find it hard to believe that Chaparal would have two dealers on the same lake...Me thinks Fay's lost out.... Let's face it, Fays isn't exactly known for their stellar advertising or pushing their product lines.

Dan

Yeah I have a feeling boat sales isn't where they make their $$$.

G & H used to own the M.P. site !
 

My 1st experience was there was about 63 or 64 years ago at the M.P. site. kerk

From the Laconia Daily Sun 9-1-2017. A notice from Fay's re: Chaparal
http://edition.pagesuite-professiona...er/production/


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Link didn't work. It's on page 7, upper right corner.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Try this link: http://edition.pagesuite-professiona...4-f3c1ee69f46e

Very sorry to hear they have lost the Chaparel franchise. They are a great boat yard.

Loyal Fay's Customers
 

The item in the LDS by Fay's notes their concern for their customers. We strongly second this thought. We have been at this boat yard since 1963 when we brought our first boat east from the Midwest after our wedding. Merrill, Jeff, and the entire staff have been great. In tough times, they have worked with folks through their issues. The loss of the Chaparal franchise will not affect us, or our pleasure of Fay's being our home port for our trips out to East Bear Island. 🐻

Agree!
 

Sad that they lost the Chaparral line but we are loyal Fay's customers and will continue to be.

I do not believe Cobalt is "the most popular Runabout on the lake". I obviously have no stats but if I had to venture a guess I would say Sea Ray just from my observation.

Fay's and Rinker
 

I notice that Fays is now listed as a Rinker dealership. Is this the replacement to Chaparral?

Fay's
 

Yes, Fay's plans to sell several lines now including Rinker. They mentioned a few others to me, but I don't remember what they were. One is a center console line, though.

Fays
 

They will also have Wellcrafts including the scarab jet boats!! Those are awesome boats!!