sept-2017

220 221 STRONG’S MARINE fourth-generation savvy, as Vice President of the company. Jeff Strong, President & Owner of Strong’s Marine, speaks about the exceptional legacy his family created, the company’s current success, and his optimistic outlook for the future. He shares, “Our logo has always been ‘Home of Super Ser- vice.’ In terms of core beliefs, that isn’t limited to how we service your boat. That’s just one small piece. Think Disney, Ritz Carlton - we try to align ourselves with that kind of high-caliber service provider, in how we answer our phones, write our emails, show up on time or five minutes early, our professional appearance, how we conduct our- selves among fellow employees.With clients, it’s all in the ‘Super Service’ context.” Now, with six marina locations throughout Long Island, Strong’s not only sells a lot of boats, but they’re out on the water helping people experi- ence boating and the role it plays in their dream scenario. Making this possible is an amazing team of 85 full-time and 50 part-time employees. Customers vary depending on the revenue category and location. Jeff notes,“We have boat brands and yacht brands. If we’re selling a new boat (we carry 19’ to 53’ Cobalt, Pursuit, Regal, and GradyWhite brands), our territory is Long Island and the five boroughs. For the newyachts,which are 40’ to 155’ Sunseeker Yachts and Absolute Yachts,we cover the full tri-state area of NewYork,New Jersey, and Con- necticut.We also cover the tri-state area for service needs, as we have many clients from that area.” Two of the three Fork locations are on Matti- tuck Inlet which feeds out to Long Island Sound. Strong’s Water Club & Marina is a transient desti- nation facility during the summer with dozens of boats at a time coming from Rhode Island, Con- necticut,Westchester, and northern Long Island. Jeff describes it as “a resort destination facility. It has an Olympic-sized saltwater pool, a great restaurant, and a Tiki bar. There aren’t a lot in the area with the beauty and amenities this place has.” Just “up the creek” is the company’s latest acquisi- tion: Strong’s Yacht Center. In contrast, this location is quieter in the summer, but has 110,000 square feet of indoor storage space. Many yacht owners are looking for a competent dealer with indoor storage capabilities, so that location draws many boats from the tri-state area for storage and professional services. Onsite offerings include a custom painter, a welder, a custom woodwork- er, and fiberglass and canvas work - everything necessary for all kinds of restoration and customi- zation. On the Peconic Bay side in Mattituck is their original east end marina offering all aspects of service dockage and sales in a valet concierge envi- ronment, including boat rentals. Dealing with competi- tion begins and ends with AT A GLANCE STRONG’S MARINE WHAT: Fourth generation, family-owned boating sales and service business WHERE: Six locations throughout Long Island, New York WEBSITE: www.strongsmarine.com