Goodhue or Flightcraft?
 

I am thinking ob buying a new Cobalt from Goodhue or Flightcraft. Neither seems to get great reviews.

Wondering if anyone has an opinion on which has better after the sale service. Any help would be appreciated.

One dealer is in business strictly for the money. The second one is in business strictly for the money.


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Service and winter storage can be used as a chip


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Anyone?
 

Anyone have good or bad experience with either? Service? Good or bad?

Plan to use either or for storage and service.
 

You cannot get to Flightcraft by water so that is maybe a negative.

I’ve been at Sheps (Goodhue) for decades, through multiple owners. I had one really negative experience with the last owner just before it was sold to Goodhue. Since Goodhue bought Sheps there have been many staff changes and a big uptick in rentals which has changed the dynamics a bit. That said, I have had no issues with the new people and find them helpful and responsive anytime I need something done. I wish slip and storage fees were lower but am glad to have a slip so won’t complain.

My friend has bought 2 boats recently with FlightCraft and I can say this past one is his last with them. Everytime he had issues with the boat or trailer its been a bunch of excuses and poor outcomes. He deals with both Laconia and the Milton (I think?) one. I've been next to him while he's been on the phone and been at the show with him too.
I just know he's now looking at other boats for his next purchase. (he buys every couple years so far).

Wow, really? I can't say I know anybody who gets a new boat every couple of years.

If you're going to buy a boat that often, you might as well join American Boat Club! New boats every year for about the same price you would pay for a slip!

Of course, I am partial to Formula boats and had mine since 1988. Bought a Sea Ray and return to Formula. Also had a 4-Winns and also return. Nothing like a Formula! ABC does not offer Formulas!

I bought a Cobalt from East Coast ten years ago and have had nothing but great service. Maybe I'm just the lucky one or just have realistic expectations.

aren't they the same family, dad one, son the other?

Flightcraft
 

We have had excellent sales and service experiences from Meredith Flightcraft for the past 11 years. Service team has been easy to reach, attentive and always do excellent work. We also do winter storage with them too. Couldn’t be happier with the whole team.

They live on a pond, no need for a slip. A ton of them on that pond buy new boats every year. They claim that it is cost effective. I dunno, I don't have enough money to do that. Different strokes for different folks.

I would highly recommend Flight Craft to anyone looking to purchase a boat, new or used, or in need of service. For me, Flight Craft has been a great company to do business with. They have a great team!

My history with Flight Craft all started well before I was a customer of theirs. I backed into one of their brand-new boats while trying to shoehorn myself in at the gas dock. Dan, the owner was there working the docks that day. When I asked if they could call the owner, I heard, I am the owner. That’s when I got that pit in my stomach. We both inspected his boat and there didn’t appear to be any damage, just broke some letters on my boat (Four Winns). Dan said he would pull the boat and inspect it in the shop, there “might” be spider cracks. I thought, oh here it comes, I am in for a big bill. I apologized and gave him all my information. Months passed and I didn’t hear from them.

The following year I decide to get a bigger boat and I have always liked Cobalt’s. So, I went to check them out. I meet with Ryan, and he was great! He spent a lot of time going over the boat, answered all my questions, and I had a lot of them. Took me out on 2 separate sea trials. I went back for a third and final before I made up my mind. But Ryan was tied up, but Dan offered. During the ride with Dan, I asked him if he remember me, or me backing into his boat the previous year. Dan said, he didn’t remember it. I told him I had really expected a bill from him. He said, “if there’s no damage, there’s no damage”. He didn’t even send me a bill to pull the boat, inspect it and re-splash it. I have been in the marine business for more than 35 years and this is unheard of! He just finalized the sale!

I ordered a Cobalt R7 from them and this is my third season with it. They were a pleasure to work with when I bought the boat, and their service team has been well above average with a couple miner hiccups since.

Remember when you read reviews, consider that there are great customers and horrible customers, and sometimes you will come across one that you will never be able to satisfy no matter what you do!