Jeanne and I returned from Kissimmee FL last night.   There, we attended training in order to become certified SeaDek fabricators.     The experience was remarkable.    Better than either of us could have imagined.

SeaDek is a very professional innovative and savvy company, with down to earth management and staff.  Jeanne and I are Very grateful to them for their hospitality and generosity.

We are also so excited as the more we learn, the more we believe that this will be very big in the Pacific Northwest.   SeaDek is wildly popular in and around Florida because of SeaDek's brilliant social media marketing and plain word of mouth advertising.     They have not even advertised yet in the Pacific Northwest, and I've been installing SeaDek for 9 years because of the word of mouth interest!

So our next step is to finalize financing and then purchase the necessary equipment.   Then we must buy some special software, tooling and raw materials and we will be cutting.   Our website is in the process of being designed.    In the meantime, please visit SeaDek.com to see all of their capabilities and products.

If you have any questions, please call me at 509-995-6239.

Thanks again for your continued support!

Cheers, Scott

well hey there!

No excuses.    Should have posted….even if a short note.    So everything is good.    Two boat shops closed in town and so we got BURIED.   No seriously….without Kale, I would never have kept up.   Boat repair has been huge and the swim platform business continues to explode.   And the platforms just get better and better with our commitment to quality and innovation.

So now you are up to speed.    But wait….there is NEW news!!   SeaDek is coming to the Pacific Northwest.    This is an excerpt from the business plan that I am writing:

I.               General Company Description

Safe Step Marine Flooring creates non skid flooring systems for boats and other applications where non skid textures are important.

There are three steps to creating the flooring system-

1)   template the area to be covered.

2)   Create pads to fit the template.

3)   Install the pads.

SeaDek Marine Products* is located in Rockledge FL.    They developed the initial flooring system.  They have grown to a point that they cannot keep up with demand in spite of moving into a larger facility and hiring / training personnel as fast as they can.  They have decided as a corporation to create satellite operations that are certified to sell and create their flooring systems.    Currently there are 5 of these satellite operations located in the most boat owner saturated areas of the country.   These operations are called Certified Fabricators.    SeaDek has asked me to be the sixth, and likely last, of these Certified Fabricators representing the Pacific Northwest area.

Mission Statement-

Safe Step Marine Flooring will create Marine Flooring Systems for customers in the Pacific Northwest that equal or surpass the quality of the original SeaDek flooring systems.   This includes Contemporary Fiberglass and Marine as a primary customer creating a unique synergistic relationship that creates co-branding, marketing and discounted raw material opportunities.  Safe Step Marine Flooring will strive to achieve remarkable profits for the owners and creative and fun opportunities for it’s employees and Certified Installers.

Company Goals and Objectives-

The main location / shop for Seadek fabrication will be in Spokane,WA.   It is desirable to have Certified Installers in the major areas of concentrated boat ownership-  Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.   Certified Installers are people who have graduated from a specific training program** put on by SeaDek.   Safe Step Marine Flooring goals include being a leader in customer service with a loyal customer following.  

Business Philosophy-

Product will be marketed to primarily Marine customers, both private boat owners and major boat marinas / service centers.    We plan to also attempt to broaden the demand by eventually targeting the aviation industry and other applications where non skid flooring is important.  For instance, SeaDek has established a contract with Yeti Coolers, a popular manufacturer of high-end coolers, to create decorative yet functional pads for the tops of the coolers.  There are unlimited large and smaller end uses for a closed cell EVA foam pad that can be decorative as well as functional.

This segment of the marine industry is growing rapidly.   In fact, that is the reason that SeaDek has decided to create these Certified Fabricator companies; to mitigate the extremely long lead times that currently exist because supply cannot keep up with demand.   Almost all major U.S. boat manufactures have switched to Seadek as their non skid flooring supplier.

SeaDek is based in Florida.   Therefore, past marketing has been concentrated in that area and has spread slowly up the east coat and to the west.  SeaDek has not done a lot of advertising in the Pacific Northwest.    That means that the already high demand in this area will only increase in both the short and long terms.  Since I already have a strong reputation for custom extended swim platforms in the Pacific Northwest, and the strongest internet search result*** (SeaDek Pacific Northwest / Contemporary Fiberglass) for SeaDek in the Pacific Northwest, I am the logical choice to become the Certified Fabricator for this region.   Safe Step Marine Flooring will utilize that foundation in order to build a network of marketing strategies in order to grow this business as fast as Contemporary Fiberglass has grown.

Important company strengths include two owners that possess the two most important needs of this business-   knowledge of the product and process and a strong administrative background to handle the intricacies of the three system components- templating, fabricating and installing along with the order and delivery process.  Scott currently owns and operates a company that includes SeaDek systems as a good portion of that company’s product offerings.     He has templated and installed hundreds of SeaDek pads.    Jeanne is currently a business process analyst for one of the largest employers in the U.S.  Her job is administrative support to several large government contracts executives.  Further review of the owners’ resumes will highlight additional strengths.

The company will have a good chance to succeed because in addition to SeaDek's commitment to assistance such as immediate orders to be delegated, then there is the co branding, marketing and technical support and finally the new company’s prior knowledge of how to obtain additional orders through regional boat shows and local advertising.   As mentioned previously, there will also be Certified Installers whose job will be not only to do the templating and installing but will also be responsible for marketing and selling.   This will occur through dealer introductions, literature handouts at marinas and finally by word of mouth.   We have found that since there are natural concentrations of boats in marinas (i.e. concentration of targeted customers), that once SeaDek begins to show up on a few boats, then Everyone in the marina wants to know what it is and how can they get it installed on their boat!!

This business will be set up as an LLC, same as Contemporary Fiberglass.

So, since we are already such HUGE fans of SeaDek, it comes as a big honor to be asked to be the sixth, and final satellite operation with the authorization to produce SeaDek.

That's all the time I have peeps.    Will try to do better posting because I know that some find this very interesting (so I've been told).

In the meantime, if you are interested in a Safe Step Swim Platform….or are in the market for some SeaDek, please visit the website:   www.myswimplatform.com.

Cheers!!

Scott and Jeanne

Miss me?

Hi All!!

Sorry it's been so long since the last post.  It's been too long since I posted.  

No excuses.     It was a VERY busy fall and I took on new projects at the house.    I got the hot tub and pool in the ground and began a new surrounding deck.    I added two lights and a set of french doors out of the master bedroom.     I knocked down an interior wall that never made sense why it was there since we moved in.    Anyway, I've been a busy dude.

I continue to be grateful for all of the blessings in my life.    I have nothing to complain about.   Business has been great and I've had my share of fun and restful side activities.

In 2015 I'm going to focus on doing better at:

1) Teaching Kale about the bigger picture regarding him taking over the business.   More exposure to the financial side and more details about the administrative work.     He's getting very good at doing the skilled work at the shop and he's so good with customers.

2)  Focusing on my health.     Don't get me wrong.....I'm pretty darn healthy already.    I never get sick.    But I read a saying from Gandi the other day that struck me.     Something about how people stress and work so hard for more money and then have to spend all of the money to "fix" the bad health that comes with too much stress and hard work.    In other words, I'm going to continue to attempt to balance the work and the zen.    Hope that makes sense.

3)  Spending more time with my grand kids.    They spent the night the other night with Jeanne and I.    What a hoot!   They never cease to amaze me with the things they say and do.    We made them grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.    Kiah said it was her favorite dinner EVER!   Then we watched movies and put them to bed.     They enjoyed the Huckleberry pancakes that Jeanne made them in the morning.   Too fun.

So, I'm not sure I disclosed this is a blog, but Jeanne and I had the honor of being extras in the TV series Z Nation that is being filmed in Spokane.   We were zombies in episode 12 which aired this past Friday.     We had a lot of fun and I think we nailed it.   If you did not see it, check it out and let me know what you think.

Looking forward to another record year this next 12 months.  If you're thinking about making the leap and adding a Safe Step Swim Platform to your boat this year, please visit the website:    www.myswimplatform.com and see what all the buzz is about.

Cheers, and have a GREAT holiday season....

Scott

Unique way to use SeaDek pads

First.....a note to all of the folks in the middle of our great state that are suffering from unprecedented wild fires.    I can't imagine how uncomfortable it is there right now, because we can hardly breath here in Spokane and we are a hundred miles away.  Our thoughts and well wishes are with the people who have lost their homes, etc....    in the 213,000+ acre area that is affected.

On a lighter note...... A great customer of mine, Tom, has now had us do dozens of things to his already beautiful Sammy Duval MasterCraft to enhance it's looks and functionality.     The latest addition are these SeaDek pads to add a custom look to the deck and nice, non-skid application for his trailer fenders.

A great idea and we were all happy with how it turned out once the pads were installed.

If you would like to discuss a project that you have in mind for your boat, contact Scott at 509-995-6239 or visit the website-   www.myswimplatform.com and see all of the ways that we can care for or repair your boat.

Thanks, and have a Great weekend.

Lots to catch you up on!

I apologize for the long time between posts....     I've been the busiest I've ever been this spring.    But I do have lots of news!

First, another beautiful SUP just delivered.   I had great luck with a new resin I tried and had NO dry spots or faults in the flood coat.    Less porosity and air bubbles meant for a nearly flawless end result.   Still a Lot of work, but I feel good about this new process.

Next, and this is HUGE....    a customer brought me his Alpha class A motorhome for repair.    This coach has serious blistering on the side panels.    After reading up on the issue, it turns out the Alpha actually went bankrupt because of this issue.   Too many of the motorhomes were affected for them to cover under warranty.    AND, there was very little success in repair shops that knew what they were doing to permanently fix the problem.  

We ourselves, had problems with the blistering coming back after we thought we had fixed the problem.    We kept at it though until we figured out a way to fix the blisters and keep them from coming back.    The customer is happy and the coach looks like new.

So, if you are an Alpha coach owner and have this problem, contact us and we can assist in the repair.

Lastly, I just want to post a picture of another Safe Step Swim Platform that added the Safe Step Docdots solar LED lights on the deck.     He sent a picture and testimonial after he installed his platform.    Pretty cool affect.    If you want to learn more about Contemporary Fiberglass, please visit the website:    www.myswimplatform.com.

Also, on a personal note.....the library is almost done (and looking Great!)   and the golf course is coming along nicely.    I bought a tractor with a backhoe!     I wish I had more time to work on both of these projects as I really do have fun working on them.

Cheers, and have a Great boating season!

Scott

Another Doc Dot platform and a Brand New Option that you MUST see!

Hello and welcome back SPRING!

I'm in the process of building a platform for a gentleman from Indiana.   He made an awsome template and has added maybe the most options to the platform that I've even experienced!    He has two DocNSafes, two table receptors, four SS drink holders (he ordered beer holders   :)) and five Doc Dot solar LED lights!    Nice!     I'll be sure to add images once the platform is complete.

I had another new experience also last week.    A gentleman that was currently out of the country wanted to add a platform to his boat that was at a Marina on the east coast.   He could not make a proper template,  So he ordered a top mount overlay platform that simply had a 6" lip on the front so that it could be bolted down on the top of the existing platform.   Not the conventional way to approach a custom platform, but it worked and he is happy!

I was getting tons of requests for a platform that had a seat that would drop down in the water so that it could be used as either a ladder or a seat.    People liked the idea of being able to cool off in the water while watching the kids swim or enjoying a cocktail or ???   I had an idea of what I wanted to offer.    After several iterations, I came up with a powder coated aluminum seat that was strong and functional.   Then, after that proved itself worthy, I made one in a wider version so that someone special could join you for that cocktail.

Pricing for new stuff:   note……these will be offered in both black and white.

Safe Step Dive Seat / ladder-   $298.00

Safe Step Dive Seat / ladder in a pocket-   $498.00

* Safe Step Dive bench / ladder-   $398.00

* Safe Step Dive bench / ladder in a pocket-   $598.00

·        *   Image to come shortly.  

 People ask me all the time......."what sets your platforms apart from your competition"; or "why should I choose your company over your competitors"?   I think one reason is these new, innovative options that set us apart.   My competitors obviously agree as they keep trying to copy my ideas.

    I'm very excited as I think these new options will be as popular as the new LED products.   So if you want to stay cool this summer,  order your Safe Step Swim Platform with the new cool options now!   And visit the website:    www.myswimplatform.com

Have a Great weekend, 

Scott

Another Doc Dot platform

Had to show you this.    Both, because it is pretty fun, but also shows how versatile these solar LED lights are.    The platform was a pretty simple platform with the exception of a very nice SeaDek pad and these blue accent Doc Dots.

At only $16 ea installed, it is a no brainer to those who like a little bling.    We are crazy busy already and we are looking forward to a BIG 2014.      Order a swim platform peoples......I have to pay for the house remodel somehow!

Visit the website for more information.    www.myswimplatform.com

Cheers.    Have a Great boating season.