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Sail-World.com : Currumbin Marine fights back, with help from Honda
Currumbin Marine fights back, with help from Honda
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'Michael Fox, proprietor of the Queensland Gold Coast’s only authorised Honda dealership, Currumbin Marine.'
Bob Wonders
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Michael Fox, proprietor of Currumbin Marine, on the Queensland Gold Coast, well remembers late 2008.
'That was when the global financial crisis hit us,' he recalled. 'We went from having our facility jam-packed with boats and were selling five to seven units regularly every week to a point where we were battling to sell one a week,' he said.
Fortunately, for Michael Fox and his staff, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
'This summer December and January were excellent for us,' he explained, 'February was a little slow and the seemingly constant wet weather on the Gold Coast of late is not helping matters, but the market has definitely turned the corner.'
Currumbin Marine, at the southern end of the Gold Coast, only a few kilometres north of the NSW-Queensland border, is the only authorised Honda dealer on the so-called tourist strip. It has been a home to Honda for the past 12-years, and has gone from strength to strength since Michael Fox purchased the dealership and its facilities four years ago.
It is also an authorised dealership for Polycraft and Ally Craft, with a back-up outboard in the reliable Tohatsu range.
'I can't speak too highly of the Honda brand,' Michael said.
'I've been around engines most of my life and I'm overawed at the excellence that is Honda.
'The company's research and development could only be described as outstanding, nothing is overlooked, every detail is attended to, their reliability is legendary,' he added.
Michael describes Currumbin Marine as 'like a corner store.'
'We're very much a local business, with the vast majority of our clientele being residents of Currumbin or nearby suburbs like Palm Beach, Tugun and Bilinga,' he pointed out.
'Advertising is minimal, with most of our deals achieved through the old word of mouth approach.'
The workshop, headed by chief mechanic Richard Jackson, is a vital component of Currumbin Marine and Michael says many locals, even those who may not have bought their boat from him, call on the workshop for routine and major servicing.
A small showroom stocks a comprehensive range of accessories and spare parts, from anchors, ropes and chain to life jackets and general boating equipment.
Although Michael says fishing stands as a primary reason behind his boat sales, he does not stock fishing tackle.
'There's an excellent tackle story nearby and we recommend it to our clients and in return the tackle store recommends Currumbin Marine for any of its customers needing anything boating related,' he explained.
Currumbin Marine is not a regular boat show exhibitor and has not done a major show for more than 12 months.
'Frankly, it's just too hard for a small dealership,' Michael said. 'It amounts to establishing a branch office for the duration of a show, and simply put we don't have the staff or back up to do it.
'It's fine for the larger dealerships, but at least for the time being I think exhibiting at boat shows is out of the question for Currumbin Marine,' he declared.
On his valuable Honda range, Michael said the company's four-stroke mid-range engines, 40hp, 50hp and 60hp topped the sales graph. 'They really can't be faulted,' he said.
'The majority of our customers are keen anglers on local waterways and these engines are just made for small boats, for rod and reel fishing, trolling and they return outstanding fuel economy.
'Fishing seems to be the primary reason behind the purchase of every boat sold here and I'm told other manufacturers and dealerships in the area will tell you a similar story.
'I've virtually given up on family-style boats, like bow riders and cuddies, in favour of what could be termed specialist fishing boats,' he added.
Michael also believes those keen on fishing make more regular use of their boat than, say, the typical family boater.
'That's the way I see it, the family guy might only use his boat one weekend a month, but the keen fisho will be out every weekend and wouldn't care too much about the prevailing weather,' he points out.
'So here at Currumbin Marine, we're more than happy to cater to the local angler.
'For the local waterways around here, a rugged Polycraft boat with a Honda outboard at its transom stands as the ideal rig,' he added.
For further information contact Currumbin Marine, telephone (07) 5534-6606 or visit the website www.currumbinmarine.com.au
 | The workshop at Currumbin Marine is a viable component of the business, handling servicing for Honda and Tohatsu engines as well as other brands. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
 | Camper trailers were a redent introduction to the Currumbin Marine product range and have proven quite popular. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
by Bob Wonders
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10:32 PM Tue 16 Mar 2010 GMT
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