The Sumersets

When we sold our Nixa boat dealership, it was like having a log chain removed from my neck. It was time to focus on the marina again. In 1990, we sold all our rental houseboats and bought five new 64'x14' Sumersets.

One of our new rental houseboats

At the same time, Charles Luna (Johnna's brother) bought a seventy-footer. He had helped me get through the Nixa fiasco, so when we added a houseboat dock for our new rentals, he got a prime spot right next to them. Our rentals slept 10. Even though Charles's boat was bigger, he'd say it only slept two.

We decided to have postcards made that would show our houseboats, so we challenged our customers to submit their best photos. Here are a couple of the winners:

  

We became very efficient when it came to turning over houseboat rentals. Everything was very organized from when the reservation was taken until the final cleaning afterward. I had lists for everything: inventory, maintenance and cleaning included. Each employee had a list of duties. During the busy season we rented boats from Monday to Friday or Friday to Monday. The boats would be due in starting at 9 a.m. on those days, and we had to have them all turned around and back out by 5 p.m. the same day. Mondays and Fridays became known as "Houseboat Hell" days.

Our houseboat brochure.

Becoming a boat dealer was one of my worst ideas. Getting in the houseboat business was one of my best. The houseboat rental business was really good, but it was a maintenance nightmare. I knew if I was ever going to get any time off I had to sell them. So, we started selling them off about 12 years ago. We kept one that we completely remodeled, put new twin engines in it. And now it's for sale. Anyone interested?

Written By Cap'n T Morgan

Kinsey Prop and Marine

Things were going great in the boat business.  With the Champion Tournaments being held here we got broad exposure. I sold the boats, handled the parts and warranty and generally dealt with the customers. Norman rigged the boats, and Dave made them run fast and kept them running. However, with the broad exposure came lots of unrest from neighboring dealers. We couldn't work any boat shows because Champion would not allow it if there were resident dealers in those towns. Pat Duncan operated the Kinsey location and was always the top dealer for Champion. Located in Cape Fair, Missouri near Tablerock Lake, they were considered the Springfield dealership, keeping us out of any Springfield shows. It always seemed we were butting heads with them over boat deals and often being questioned as to our ability to set up a boat compared to them. So, when the opportunity came along in 1987 to buy the Cape Fair dealership, I jumped at the chance.

The once famous Kinsey Prop & Marine, Cape Fair, Missouri.

You know how when you find this restaurant that has really, really good food and service... just a quaint little place that might only have six or eight tables? Then they decide to expand or open a second location and it doesn't work out? Well, let me tell you... same thing can happen in the boat business. The first stumbling block was we were promised the Mercury and Champion lines when we moved the dealership to Springfield (actually to Nixa). We had to file a lawsuit against Mercury to finally get them to agree. 

Breaking news.

Our Nixa store on Highway 160 south of Springfield.

Showroom of new store. Could only show Johnson outboards at first.

We ran through many employees, I ran my legs off between the two locations trying to make it work,, but in the end it was just not meant to be. Worst of all, I misplaced two of my best employees and best friends because of that move. And, I nearly lost the whole business and my happy home in the process. I often think back: "If only I had left well enough alone and just sold a boat now and then... what might have been?"

It was not all doom and gloom in the business. We did sell a lot of boats. In 1989 we were the third largest Champion dealer in the country. In 1990 we were ninth. Then in 1988 we were second! We sold 100 Champions, all with big Mercury or Johnson outboards on them. We bought Mercury's back then by the truckload. We stored them in the building beside Just Jackie's. It was stacked full of motors ranging from 150 to 200 HP. The biggest seller was the 18'4" Champion with a 175 HP Mercury. 

1989 and 1990 awards.

Second Top Dealer Award, 1988.

Champion usually took their top 2 or 3 dealers on a fishing or hunting trip. Mine was to Cabo San Lucas. I really didn't care much about going, but Norman insisted I should go. 

Me in Cabo San Lucas with largest of four Striped Marlin I caught on that trip.
Bill Pace, national sales rep for Champion, to my right.

Maybe this is where my interest in offshore fishing began...

Written by Cap'n T Morgan

Beginner Paddle Boarding Clinic

Over the weekend we hosted a beginner paddle boarding clinic with SUP pro Heather Baus as the instructor. We are so excited about the buzz this has created and are looking forward to hosting more clinics and renting and selling boards this year! If you're interested in learning to paddle, please contact us at 417-679-3676.

Charter members of the Pontiac Paddle Club!

The majority of people at this clinic were first-timers. They all did great!

Paddling is great for kids, too!