New for 2010!

New for 2010 to celebrate my past success!..... I want to beat ANYONE's published / quoted pricing by 10% for an EXACT duplicate platform (shape, style, color, options. Materials and method of manufacturing may vary)). I'm doing this because I want to get even more aggresive this year about going after the platform market. I'm VERY confident that I make the best platform available and definitely the most value.


I'm adding the following FAQ's on my web site:

Q: How do I know that I'm going to get exactly the platform that I have pictured in my mind?

A: I send you pictures pretty much every day at the end of the day showing you the progress that we've made. In this way you:
1) See the quality that goes into the construction, 2) feel comfortable in the progress and conformance to schedule and 3) Ensure that I am making the platform to your specifications. You get to see the platform finished before it is shipped so that there are no surprises when it arrives at your door.

Q: Is there a "best" time to order?

A: YES, the best time to order is the off season (Jan, June, July, Dec). The lead times are much better.

Q: Does the platform ever drag in the water from being too big?

A: We primarily make "full size" platforms. Many people ask this question as they are concerned, especially when getting up on plane, that the big platform will drag. We actually went out this summer and did a professional photo shoot on my boats to photograph and video the platform from rest to on plane. At no time did the platform drag in the water. I've NEVER had a customer come back and relay concerns about this so I'm saying No, it won't be a problem.

Q: What about "vents" .... are they necessary for water drainage or air pressure relief?

A: Again, a lot of customers ask this question. When we first started making these platforms over ten years ago, we thought they needed vents. However, through first hand experience and customer feedback and comments from other maufacture's, I am convinced that they are not necessary. Some customers like the look of them or use them for hand grabs so we offer them as an add on, but functionally they are not necessary.

Q: What about installation hardware? How does yours compare to your competitions?

A: If you do a good job of research, you will find that my installation package is unsurpassed. While they smash the ends of their SS support rods and drill holes in them, I give you specially designed brackets that hold the SS rods. This gives you more flexibility in the installation and is a significantly stronger application. Also, for most of their platforms they offer two support rods. The minimum number (except on platforms less than 16 sq ft) of support rods I provide is four! It is over engineered sure, but I like my customers to feel no flex at all while standing on the platform.

Q: Shipping? State that it depends on when you order your platform.... If you order during peak season (Feb through May and Sept through Nov) it could be up to 4 weeks. If you order during off season expect two weeks. Ordering a SeaDek pad can add as much as 4 weeks.

Finally, I have a new testimonial that I'm very proud to receive. John has been a customer since he got his first boat about five years ago. He and his wife have been loyal customers and a truly great people. I LOVE my customers! :

From John Newman: Scott: Just a note to personnaly thank you for all you have done for me and my ski boat. I know when I first met you 5 years ago that I didn't know anything about boats. That first year ended up being pretty costly after the prop repair, etc... But from listening to your advice regarding driving lessons and recommended care and maintenance, I think I did pretty good these past two years, huh? We've thoroughly enjoyed taking friends and family out on the river. It has become one of our favorite activities.

I don't know anybody else that meets their customers at the ramp at the end of the year to assist in pull out and delivers the boat to the ramp in the spring. Your generosity is appreciated and I understand why when I come to your shop you are buried in boats!

I've heard others talk about your customer-first attitude and skills as a boat maintainer. I want you to know I echo their comments. And we love your mechanic Frank. You guys are honest and fair. You've been wonderful and Jeanne and I thank you.

See you in the spring!

John and Jeanne Newman
Spokane Valley, WA

For those of you planning on coming to the boat show to see the Safe Step Swim Platforms for yourself, I'll see you there!

Scott

I have two new significant developments to share. The first is that I have joined the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). It was a requirement for getting into the Seattle Boat Show. But it turns out that I'm glad I'm involved. They have some good publications and I should get some exposure on the West side. I am also taking advantage of a Boat Show Special for advertizing in a West Side magazine- Nor'Westing. The editor has already decided to write an article about my company in addition to the advertizing.

The second development is that the air pollution control authority in Spokane has recognized my business- Contemporary Fiberglass, as a top (gold level) achiever in performance with regards to improving air quality. I have always believed that I could run my business effectively, profitably and still abide by all relevant regulations. And to be honest, as I grow older I am even more convinced that I want to help leave this planet in good shape for my children and grandchildren.

I have been getting ready for the Boat Shows at the end of the month. The phone has been ringing with potential customers wanting information on my Safe Step Swim Platforms. I believe that 2010 will be another record breaker. I'm so confident that a custom extended swim platform adds so much safety and functionality to your boating experience that more and more people will be ordering them.

Cheers. I hope to hear from you if you are interested.

Kingsley Scott Lents arrived on Sunday morning at 1:02. Mom and baby are doing fine. I'm a grandpa!

Hi again. Just checking in since it has been a while since I posted. I have stayed busy at work of course and my daughter is due (actually Overdue now) with her first child. So of course there is lots of work to do to get ready. We sure hope Kingsley Scott (huh?? How about that for honoring your dad?) comes out quickly. I'm so looking forward to being a grandpa.

Now to the boat business. I just completed a platform for a guy who bought the boat back east and then shipped it directly to my shop in Spokane where I built him a full size platform and installed it for him. I've done this a couple of times and it works out pretty well for me and for my customers. Allan's comment when he came to pick up the boat? Scott- YOU DUH MAN!!!

You can see the remainder of his comments and all of the rest of what my customer's are saying about my products and services at the website- www.myswimplatform.com

I have had several customers telling me lately that when they were talking to my competition, that my competition was speaking ill of my product from the standpoint of it being made out of Fiberglass Reinforced Plywood. Implying that it was susceptible to rot.

First of all know that I would never speak negatively about my competition. I focus on making my products and services better and better. I figure that is the way to grow market share. And it must be working. My business has doubled every year since I started it over ten years ago. And I believe now that I am the largest custom extended swim platform manufacturer in the world!

As far as my platforms being susceptible to rot, they are manufactured exactly as your boat is. Fiberglass and gelcoat over a High grade marine plywood. They come completely sealed from my shop. As long as you treat them the same way you treat your boat, that is never put a hole through them without sufficiently sealing the hole, it will last as long as a 100% fiberglass platform. And, mine weigh about half as much!

So do your research and I'm confident that you'll choose a Safe Step Swim Platform. Thanks again for reading and have a great holiday season.

Scott

Exciting news!

Last week I had one of those nagging feelings that would not go away. My wife says it's my intuition and that I need to listen to it. So I did. My intuition was telling me that I need to enter the Seattle Boat Show this year (2010).

I've been involved with the Spokane International Boat Show now for four years. I've had great success. I've met a lot of great people and enjoyed a good deal of business as a result. My problem is that the Seattle show is the exact same week as the Spokane show. I'd already booked the Spokane show for this year and even if I had not, I would not give up the Spokane show as I think they do a great job and I want a presence in my home town. Who would man the Spokane booth? So I talked to some friends and local family and I think I've got it covered. So it's done. I've booked the Seattle show.

The reason I'm so excited is that I get plenty of inquiries from the west side of the state. I've sold my share of platforms and I even occasionally go there for the installs. I have family that lives in Summner so it gives us an excuse to get there, see them and as a bonus get to Pike's Street...one of our favorite places to visit. The last one we did this summer, my wife Jeanne accompanied me on an install and was actually very helpful. The customer was so impressed that he gave us a $200.00 tip when we were done. We spent it at Pike's Street the next morning. She thought that was great. So I'm excited that the Boat Show will just open up more opportunities to both sell platforms and give us reason to visit that side of the state.

So when you are at this year's boat show and you spot the Contemporary Fiberglass booth, featuring Safe Step swim platforms, stop in and say hi. I'll give you a great deal on a custom extended swim platform.

See you then.

Scott

Latests Options

I just delivlered a completed platform to a customer from Alberta Canada. I thought it turned out great and he agreed! We added a flush mounted table receptor and interchangable BBQ. The platform is large enough to have a party on! He stated that he had it made to make it easier for his father to get on and off the boat at the slip. I felt good about that. Check out all the options for your Safe Step® Swim Platform that will enhance your boating pleasure at: Contemporary Fiberglass/Options. Thanks for reading. Scott

Options make the difference!

My answer to the question posted...."why buy a Safe Step swim platform?"- Options.

First of all, let me explain the difference between a Safe Step swim platform and my competitors' swim platforms.

Their platforms are made from a mold. 100% fiberglass. This means that they may or may not have a mold for your year, make and model boat. If they do happen to have a mold, you get what you get. There are no variations to the size, shape, style or location relative to your transom.

Fiberglass molds are very expensive to produce. I would estimate that my competitors must sell 4 to 5 platforms from a mold just to break even with the cost of producing that mold.

My platforms are built one at a time per each customer's specs. They are fabricated from a product called fiberglass reinforced plywood (FRP). It is a manufactured product created originally for truck trailer panels. I originally used it to do dry rot repair on boats so that I could offer 100% lifetime warranty on those repairs. All I had to do was to seal the bare wood edges and I could feel confident that no moisture could then attack the wood core.

Using FRP allowed me to build my first swim platform over ten years ago. The beauty of this method allows me to build your platform into any size, shape, style, and color and, therefore, price that you desire. The platforms are built just as your boat hull is -- wood core, fiberglass and gel coat overlay. The result is that they weigh about half as much as a 100% fiberglass deck. My engineering background combined with the FRP's strength, allow me to design your platform to hold about 125 pounds per square foot. Trust me, put all the adults you want on one of my grids and it will still feel strong and stable.

Sure my labor costs are higher since each platform is fabricated custom, but the raw materials cost is relatively low. This allows me to be very competitive costwise. Apples to apples, I believe I can beat my competitor's price. In addition, you can put your platform pretty much anywhere you want relative to the transom, and you can locate your ladder anywhere you want on the platform...... You get where I'm coming from.

Let's talk about options. I have the best job in the world. OK, Jimmy Buffet has the best job in the world, but I'm close. I have this need to be creative and even artistic. Plus, I like to get mechanical, occasionally. And I like to use my engineering background just to feel intellectual once in a while. So when people ask "can I have a removable outboard motor mount?" I get excited. Actually, this is a real life example and you can view my creation on my website: www.myswimplatform.com. Can you get this from my competition? Forget about it.

So how do I come up with the ideas I have for new and cool options? I just listen to my fellow boaters. So many folks have asked me to design a "beach to boat" ramp. My wife and I were at a motorcycle show and saw an aluminum fold-up ramp for use in loading motorcycles into the back of pickups. Voila! I incorporated one of the ramps into my setup, tested it for a summer to ensure it would work in all kinds of conditions and recently added it to my available options. Try it out. It works great. Some of the options, like LED lighting, are simply bling. Some people hate it and some people love it. Your option!

Write to me and let me know what you think and if you have any questions. Let's hope this winter goes fast and we can get back on the water. Cheers.

Scott