A sad day...

M

Michael Meyer

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
RO Number
27857
Messages
80
Went over to Barry Paulsen's Boat Center (local Regal dealer) to get some parts for my 242 and dicovered that Palson Marine has closed it's doors.

Man this economy is taking it toll :(
 
When gas prices started back down I thought (really) that the boating market would turn around. Two days ago after listening to news about the number of employees that have been layed-off from large corporations (70,000+ and climbing)and after attending a local boat show...yea, everythings going south and even marinas are cutting back. It's sad.
 
I discovered that on their website just before Christmas. They were the only Regal Dealer in Northern California and always had a good selection. There is a dealer in Southern California but when I attended the LA Boat Show last year, they only had two cruisers on display. Not sure if they increased stock now that Paulson's closed. Yes pretty sad. I bought two boats from them and probably was going to buy a third.
 
It is no longer about gas prices, people are saving as much as possible
in case they too are laid off or have to close their own small business.
The economy is upside down. It is probably all speculation, like the high
oil prices, but you never know.
I heard that Canada and Europe are in a hissy about the new economic stimulus
plan. It states that all steel and iron HAVE to be bought from US companies
unless the iron or steel is inferior to forien supply or if it cost more
than 25% more than forien supply.
That was a good move. All the new projects within the package will be done
with American iron and steel.
 
I talked with Full Tilt Marine yesterday and was informed that they are closing their doors today. Hopefully someone in the area will bake over their service and warrantee work. I dont want to travel 1.5hrs by boat to get it serviced. Times are really tough. Regal said they are going to loose at least 25% of their dealers.

The only good news in all of this is that Regal is strong financially. They owe very little to anyone and should come out of this OK. I am a little concerned that cutbacks will mean less help on warrantee items and issues that come up with a new boat. Everyone is watching their pennies.
 
After seeing about Full Tilt Marine I went on their website. It appears to me this wasn't something they decided to do in the last day or two. I did not see any new 2009 boats; just new 2008, new 2007, and even new 2006. I wonder what is going to happen with their inventory?
 
Van, Even though we have purchased our last two Regals new from Jackson and in the past have always taken them back for warranty service, last spring I took the boat to Weavers Marine and had great results. They worked with Volvo on servicing my outdrives under waranty and did my Kohler warranty work the summer before. You don't have to go back to the selling dealer for warranty work.
 
Sorry to hear Paulsens went under. I bought a left over 3760 from them and had it shipped to Pennsylvania in August last year. The writting was on the wall then.
 
Joe,
I understand that I do not have to use Full Tilt for warrantee work!
But it is now not convenient for me to go to any other dealer at this point. I am 1.5 hrs. by boat to Jackson. I burn 30gph. and then have to get a ride home and back again. They do not want to come to my boat. I have people in my area to do my motor work but the boat warrantee work has to be done by a Regal dealer.

Jackson is suppose to be taking Full Tilts inventory. Yesterday they moved all of their brokerage boats to Arb2@gr5tM marine accross the HWY. Hopefully Regal will set them up to do other warrantee work. There are allot of Regals in my area so it would be wise of Regal to set someone up.

I have been talking with Regal customer service at length this week. Regal could not set up any other dealers until Full Tilt actually closed their doors. So I am sure they are on top of things. I know that there are people who store their boats for the winter that will be stuck in the spring when trying to move them. I was going to store my 4460 their this yr. but decided not to because the writing was on the wall. With the dealer not being able to launch or retrieve boats from their location these people will have to get an independent hauler to come in and launch their boats. They have already paid for haul, winterize and launch. I am sure they will not be happy to pay 2times for the same service.
 
I just spoke to Doug from Luv-N-Life this evening. At the end of the season, he traded his in for a new 3560 from Full Tilt and part of the deal was that they would winterize, shrinkwrap and store the boat. They called him today saying they needed to move the boat. He is going to ask them to move the boat over to Weavers since he also has had them do warranty work on his previous Regal and will have them do the 20 hour check. If you can, check with Dominic (Bliss). He had so many problems with Full Tilt's service department that Regal authorized him to use the mechanic that he had do upgrades to his boats. The mechanic was mobile and worked on the boat while in his slip at Mears. The engines, drive train, generator and other mechanical items are the things that will need to be looked at under warranty and there are certified shops all around that can do that. I am sure when the need arises, Regal will do what they need to do to retain their customer service rating. I have always been extremely impressed with that side of the company.

On another topic, Jackson is trying to plan this years Regal Rendezvous on the Bay. Interested?
 
I always wondered how Full Tilt stayed in business, they really lacked customer service. The first time I went to buy a new Regal I visited Full Tilt in Woodbridge, the salesman sat at his desk and told us we could go out and look at them, I guess since it was raining he didn't want to get wet nor a commission. We did buy a Regal but from Master Marine in Williamsburg, VA, in fact bought 4 of them over time. They are a great dealer.

Dale
 
Funny! When I went to Full Tilt in Woodbridge the first time, the salesman wouldn't go out because it was too hot and sunny! I did buy a new boat from them, but had so many problems with them completing warranty work and just general customer service, that my next boat was from a different manufacturer. I thought my Regal was a great boat, and would have liked to move up in the line, but I wasn't going to deal with Full Tilt.
 
Full Tilt Marine was horrible to me. Sorry to see anyone go out like that, but I could not see how their attitiude kept them alive in good times. They don't care. Sorry for my rant...
 
I always thought that Full Tilt gave Regal boats a bad name on the Potomac. If I needed maintenance I took my Regal anywhere but Full Tilt. Not sorry to see them go.
 
All of Full Tilts customers boats that were stored at their facillity are being moved to A&M accross the HWY. A&M is letting all those boats stay in their yard for free because those customers already paid for storage. They just want to pick up all the service work. I called them they are also working with Regal to do some warrantee work as well. I called them but they are not set up for mobile service so I can not use them. I have been in touch with Seven Seas who is at Mears Point Marina. They are able to do all warranted work and are set up as a mobile unit. They are also talking with Regal to be able to do any Regal Warrantee work on both Regal claims and motor claims.
I have confidence in Regal, they will take care of all those who were caught up in this mess. There are plenty of service providers in the area that can help with this. Regal told me that if you have issues with warrantee work to get estimates from those doing the work, send them to Regal and if it seems fair they will pay you and you will pay the service facility for the work performed.
 
FYI to Regal Owners....

Sunset Harbor Marina, located in Essex, MD is an authorized service dealer for REGAL. Sunset Harbor is also a certified Merc & Volvo dealer and represents Jackson Marine Regal Sales in the area. Unfortunately, we do not offer mobile service, just the BEST service.

Bring us your boats!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top