GoMarine promises top brands and top service

by Jeni Bone on 29 Sep 2009 Seasoned marine industry professional, Capt Joe Goddard, is channeling his three decades of experience across marina development, yacht design and sailing into a retail venture on the Tweed/Gold Coast border, perfectly positioned on water and showcasing the best in local and imported trailer boats.

The GoMarine dealership has opened on Wharf St opposite Ivory Marina, with waterfront access for boat testing.

As Goddard explains: 'It is a boutique dealership by any definition. The site is a landmark location, parking is easy and customers will receive professional, yet personable service in a lounge-style showroom with complimentary refreshments.'

There will be an assortment of chandlery items, safety gear and even marine-themed art for sale. The service facility is on site and access to the water could not be easier.

Goddard – formerly CEO of Southport Yacht Club and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, co-founder of EastSail, Australia’s largest sea school, charter business and boat owner program – says that despite the lull in the economy, the time is ideal for recreational boating.

'Boating is a healthy, family activity that needn’t cost a lot. It’s the means of getting together with friends and enjoying our incredible waterways, taking time out from stressful lives to fish, swim, dive and ski. There have never been so many registered boat owners in NSW and Queensland, so obviously, people are still looking to the water to explore and enjoy the great outdoors.'

The brands he has chosen for GoMarine suit the entry level boatie to connoisseur – Stacer, Baysport, Yamaha long boats and Yamaha engines.

'We have hand-picked the best brands with respected names for the trailer boat market,' says Goddard. 'Stacer is built by Telwater on the Gold Coast. It’s Australian-owned and well managed. The boats are well designed and incredibly made.

'Yamaha is the world’s leading outboard engine manufacturer. I personally have owned and maintained them for more than 15 years. Yamaha engines are ahead of their time and the corporation is steady and strong.

'The Yamaha longboats are made in Dubai and are extremely well crafted to suit our conditions. They come in 19ft and 24ft models and are ideal for fishing and family activities. They are competitively priced to fill a niche in the boating market.'

GoMarine will offer Sea Link trailers for the Baysport brand and Oceanic for the Yamaha and Stacers, as well as representing Club Marine Insurance, giving customers absolute peace of mind.

As for Goddard’s credentials, he is a salt-in-his-veins boatie himself, with experience across all facets of the marine industry.

He is a naval architect and engineer by training and has been involved in boat design and building, planning, design and management of major international projects – including marina developments in the Philippines, Tunisia, Europe and Dubai’s Arabian Canal Project, a US$11bn project which, once completed in 10 to 15 years, will be of the magnitude of the Suez Canal.

'I am not a ‘Johnny-come-lately’ in the business or a car dealer who wants to dabble in boat sales. GoMarine Tweed Heads is a dealership I have planned from the ground up which will be run as a family business for the long-term.'
Despite the competitive environment, Goddard is confident GoMarine will strike a cord with consumers from northern NSW and the Gold Coast.

'We have the only waterside location in the area. At our dealership you can smell the salt air and see people fishing along the river bend. It’s a nice place to come and see and buy a boat from the experts. We will offer boat tests to qualified customers and spend the time to work out the best fit for each customer. Best of all, we’ll be there for any queries, questions or problems that may arise.'

Goddard acknowledges that the boating market is very tight at the moment, but he is convinced 'quality, well-priced trailer boats will always sell well'.

'In our region, people love their boats and will always have pride in ownership and service of their prized possessions. After visiting a number of dealerships over the past year, I am staggered with the lack of service and attention. There’s a quick sale mentality. The discounting policy is to blame for this. I wonder if they will be around in five years time?'

Goddard has honed his dealership experience from assisting entrepreneurs establish their own businesses.

'I set up businesses like this for a living, having assisted many people in setting up marine retail and boat dealerships in Sydney and Dubai. I have worked closely with them to make their businesses run smoothly, as efficiently as possible and to great success.

'We will be very competitively priced on fiberglass boats and after-sales care. Our engine service rates are stated up front and very reasonable. Yamaha makes sure its technicians are impeccably trained and up to date on every product innovation.

'We will ensure owners have the knowledge and skills to be safe on the water and enjoy their boats and we will run boat-owner education classes on a regular basis.

GoMarine will truly be a family affair. While Joe will be managing the 'big picture operation' and be on hand to carry out 'pretty much anything that needs to be done', his wife Leigh will be in charge of administration and his teenage sons Michael and Thomas will be taking on roles in the business.

The GoMarine Technician is Mark Cormack, backed up by Kent Jackson.

'I would like to think that people would leave GoMarine thinking: ‘I feel informed. Those GoMarine people were nice and professional’. I do believe our product mix, service and our own passion for boating will set us apart from competitors.'

GoMarine
169 Wharf Street Tweed Heads, opposite Ivory Marina
Tel: (07) 5536 5312
www.gomarineaustralia.com

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