Mercury legend notches up 40 years helping boaters

by Mercury Marine on 20 Dec 2011 In 1971, John Johnson stepped into a workshop to start his apprenticeship as a marine mechanic, and 40 years later he’s glad he did.

'It doesn’t feel like 40 years because I’m still enjoying it – I still enjoy the spanners,' said Johno, who along with his wife Bobbie owns and operates J and B Marine at Ingham, in North Queensland.

'The engines have changed so much over the years there’s always been something new to learn.'

Typically, Johno didn’t make a big deal about his milestone, going to work as usual to sell and fix outboard engines.

'It’s strange to look back because when I did my apprenticeship they had us working on cars,' he said. 'You’d spend all day at work fixing outboards and then go to Tech (technical college) and they didn’t have any marine engines so we trained on car engines.'

Johno and Bobbie opened J and B Marine in 1993 and haven’t looked back.

'Of course there have been some tough times when we’ve seen dealerships close but I think we’ve survived because we have a strong workshop. When money’s tight people won’t buy a boat but they’ll repower or get their engine serviced.'

If anything John and Bobbie have got too much work at the moment, following the closure of one of their rivals.

'We’ve bought a 27’ Grady White with twin 250 Verados but I haven’t even put 20 hours on her - we‘ve been too busy,' laughed Johno, who’s long been heavily involved in ski racing.

A remarkable feature of Johno’s four decades in the marine business is his constant connection with Mercury.

His first workplace, S M Motors in Bundaberg, was a Mercury agent so Mercurys were the first engines he fixed. And it was Mercury which approached Johno and Bobbie in ’93 to go out on their own.

In that first year they sold 100 engines to be Mercury Dealer of the Year and collected a 10 day trip to Thailand.

They’ve won plenty of other awards since and now, with five full-time employees, they’re still selling and servicing Mercury motors.

'I reckon Mercury’s warranty is second to none,' Johno said.

'Whatever they say they’ll do, they do. You don’t get any problems, which is very important.'

John Temple, Mercury’s General Manager Australia New Zealand Pacific, has paid tribute to Johno’s 40 years of hard work and success.

'Johno deserves this recognition. He’s a industry stalwart,' John said.

'I’ve lost count of the number of dealer awards he and Bobbie have won over the years, but it was never a surprise because they go out of their way for their customers.

'I know Johno will stay in the industry for many years to come.'


More at www.mercurymarine.com.au