|
About
Boating Atlanta
Boat and Motor Dealer published an
article about our store. This is an industry publication which highlights marine dealers. We have taken the liberty to condense this six page
article.
"From sailing to salt to fresh. That's how Mark Lusink describes the many twist and turns his career as a marine retailer has
taken. First this Buford, Georgia dealer sold sailboats from Sailing Atlanta.
Then he opened a second store to carry saltwater fishing boat line, calling that
Boating Atlanta. When the sailboat market crashed he combined the two
stores and sold under a new banner- "Boating Atlanta. He expanded the boat
lines selling runabouts, fishing boats, pontoon boats and
sailboats.
Some thirty miles north of Atlanta and minutes
away from from the picturesque Lake Lanier, Lusink started the boat business in
1971. Through his diligence and hard work, Lusink grew his dealership to be the
largest sailboat dealer in the Atlanta area. In 1980 sales where brisk and the
service business coming in so fast that he purchased a larger piece of property
for the service side of the business. The service end of the business became so
successful that the insurance underwriter would not write a policy unless the
company made cost prohibited modifications to the forty foot boat paint spray
booth and add a water wash filtration system. During this turmoil a power boat
representing a major saltwater line, came in and said "Why don't you put
power boats in this building." Lusink said he had always liked salt water
boats, and it was a natural line to compliment sailboats. This was the start of
Boating Atlanta.
Because of the larger size, the Buford Highway
location eventually became the main store. Now down to just one sailboat line-
MacGregor, Lusink calls his business, Boating Atlanta. "Boating
Atlanta says everything," he said. What is in the future? We again expect
increase in sales this year. We've will become more professional at selling
Stingray, Sea Hunt, Tritons, Sylvan, Sunchaser, Riverhawks, and MacGregors . Lusink's realistic attitude is at least partially responsible
for keeping his business thriving through the years. And, it's probably what
will keep him strong into the next decade." End
Into the next decade with help. Lee Hartley has been
given the helm. Lee has a strong technical background and has been with
the Company for over fifteen years. Lee has the youth and energy to take
our company to even greater successful level. With his service background,
he has a total commitment to Customer Satisfaction!
|
