Sept 18, 2018
Recently, Cruisers Yachts recognized SkipperBud’s as its Top Worldwide Dealer of 2018. Though this isn’t the first accolade SkipperBud’s has received (they’ve been named a top dealer several years now), CYOnboard got to speak with both parties for the inside scoop. Both touted their strong relationship as the foundation of such success.
When we got on the phone with Dan Zenz, Vice President of Sales at KCS International, Inc., who works closely with SkipperBud’s, we wanted to know how he got started with Cruisers Yachts. After college Dan worked for a Cruiser Yachts dealer in Wisconsin for eleven years before taking a position with KCS International, Inc., builders of Cruisers Yachts. Dan came in as Regional Sales Manager taking care of the East Coast, and has been promoted up to his current position. Originally Cruisers Yachts signed up SkipperBud’s as a KCS dealer in Ohio and gradually moved in to Chicago, Wisconsin and Illinois in 2010, and the partnership has evolved from there. Dan tells us that many demos are done out of SkipperBud's marina facilities.
Chatting with SkipperBud’s President Mike J Pretasky JR, the partnership seems organic in its roots. Mike also started as a young age at SkipperBud’s and by 16 was delivering boats all over Lake Michigan. A long-time power boater, Mike spent the past twenty-five years living lakeside. It was his passion for power boating that drove him in his career. Cruisers Yachts and SkipperBud’s have long been connected. They’re both based in the same area, and even knew Dan Zenz prior to officially entering a partnership. Ultimately, SkipperBud’s wanted to represent their hometown boat. Both are privately held companies and Mike can’t say enough about how it’s the strength of the relationship that has led SkipperBud’s to be continually named a top Cruisers Yachts dealer. As for the future? SkipperBud’s will always be looking for an opportunity to expand in the Mid-West and they will always want to include Cruisers Yachts with them in the Great Lakes.
It’s worth noting that Silver Seas Yachts, a sister company is the second place dealer this year, further evidence of the strength of the relationship between the two companies.
Corporate Profile - Dometic Outdoor Global Marine Division
Dometic Outdoor Global Marine Division is one organization that has set the bar high globally on quality standards in all aspects of its operation. From its human resources practices to its product development and manufacturing standards, the company strives for 110% in all it does. Dometic’s Vancouver, British Columbia design and manufacturing facility is the largest marine focused company in Canada. Its global standards are admirable, and our entire industry can learn from its leadership and positive practices.
In 1962, Dometic (then under the name Teleflex) developed, launched, and marketed a mechanical steering system and with its success came the first hydraulic steering in 1983 and No FeedBack Steering in ’91.
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The 10th edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) has wrapped up at the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) and it gives a compelling look at the future of electric boating.
The MEBC was started in 2014 as a competition between university teams who built and raced boats powered only by solar power and batteries. To encourage more participation from institutions that may not have naval architecture or boat construction expertise, the YCM introduced the Energy Class competition. The club supplies the student teams with the same one-design catamaran hull, and each team adds their own cockpit and propulsion system that can be powered by any renewable alternative energy sources, not just solar.
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Questus Marine patented, Self-Leveling Radar Mounts automatically keep radar antennas level with the horizon, eliminating target loss.
Regardless of the angle of heel, with a Questus mount, a radar antenna will pick up targets to either side of a vessel, rather than aiming to the sky and water (for planes and fish). The Questus Marine Self-Leveling Radar Mount can be installed in three basic configurations: backstay mount, mast mount or Stern Pole mount.
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