posted 05-15-2012 10:11 PM ET (US)        

It's always such a pleasure to interact with a great dealer. Being the start of the season (and one of the first nice fridays) the dealership was booked solid all day with boat demos, new boat deliveries and de-winterizations. Despite being extremely busy they had the boat up on a stand for me to inspect when I arrived and swiftly put it in the water for a full demo & test drive with the salesperson. They showed me every little thing about the boat (a lot of which I already knew, but it was nice that they took the time).

The boat was impeccably clean with not a spec of dirt (obviously washed & waxed before I arrived at 9am). It was fully equipped (at no additional charge) with top quality black fenders, black ropes, coast guard safety gear, paddles, life jackets etc.... Even the ropes were nicely coiled up on the deck when the boat went in the water.

They had built a custom full stand up weather shelter (side and front curtains that attach to the existing top) & console/seat covers. The dealership also installed all the electronics as I opted for the more current E7D plotter over the stock factory Raymarine gear. Each person involved in the prep of the boat took time to come by and introduce themselves and obviously tool a lot of pride in their work.

I was greeted with a smile by every single person I met and I really felt it to be so refreshing. I've purchased two other new boats in the past (from different dealers) as well as a new car last year. I've always been disappointed with the experience. It usually feels rushed and more like they just want to move onto the next sale rather than take care of a new customer. This experience was the polar opposite.

After the demo the sales person and I filled out the paperwork. He took the time to go over all the manuals, maintenance, warranties, ethanol fuel precautions etc... by the time we were done the boat was loaded on a trailer behind a truck ready to be delivered to my marina about 1/2hr away.

If you live in Ontario and are looking for a new whaler (or a few other brands) take a moment to check out Gordon Bay Marine, they made me into a customer for life.

Anywho... enough of my "rant", just thought I'd take a moment to share my experience with what I consider to be an excellent Whaler Dealer.