…from a BUYER
Editor,
A year ago, with great trepidation, we shifted to the Dark Side. After 30 years of sailing, including two extensive offshore voyages through the South Pacific and Mexico, we became ‘stinkpotters”. However, our anxiety about the process and change in cruising adventure was an unexpected pleasure due, in large part, to the dealer from whom we brought the new trawler. This was not our first experience in buying a new boat. Our last 37’ sailboat was purchased new in 2000 from a Seattle dealer so we had an experience from which to compare this purchase. Our choice was a Mariner 37 Seville Pilothouse trawler from Waterline Boats on Westlake in Seattle. Scott and Lisa Helker, owners of Waterline Boats have made the experience one of the most pleasant and professional purchases we have ever made.

Any new boat, much like a new house, has a “punch list” process. Waterline Boats went above and beyond what one should expect in resolving any and all issues to ensure the boat looked and operated perfectly. In the year since buying the boat, Waterline had been responsive, knowledgeable, timely and extremely fair in all aspects of the purchase and follow up issues. My wife and I frequent comment that Waterline treats the boat as if it were still theirs.

Our trepidation about moving from sail to power combined with a new purchase was made surprisingly pleasant by having chosen a great boat and a dealer that knows the real meaning of fairness and customer service.

And, by the way, yes we do occasionally say to each other “wouldn’t it be nice to be on a beam reach right now” as we cross the Straits of Jaun de Fuca in a 20 knot westerly. However, the remaining 80% of the time we think we made the right decision.

Sincerely,
~Richard and Kanita Harding Edmonds, WA

Published in Northwest Yachting, January 2011
Published in 48 North, January 2011