When I was a young man I would often ask my dad why time moved so slowly. I remember him telling me that as I got older time would go by a lot faster. While I couldn’t understand that concept as a youngster, it has become very clear to me now.
Where have the last 30 years gone? It seems like only yesterday we were cleaning out an old building in Williston, full of dreams and a passion to build what would become Sensation. Since that day 30 years ago we have made mistakes, learned lessons, celebrated victories, mourned the loss of loved ones and built friendships that will last a lifetime. We have formed a service yard that takes care of nearly 1,000 customers each year and currently have embarked on the most aggressive builds in our history – the 46’ Grander, 84’ Blank Check, 90’ Project Ireland and the 67’ Privateer. Each boat is a departure from what we or others have done, but each one helps us improve and ask ourselves how we can do things better each day. We have developed a marine industrial park, started a clothing company, opened retail stores, reestablished the East’ard marine parts store and joined forces as a partner with Bluewater Yacht Sales.
As we celebrate 30 years in business my mind tends to remember the hard times. Whether it was the economy, growing pains of a small company, or something we had to fix when we thought we had a “better” way to do it. In each instance, I can also remember a person, or several people, that were willing to help us get through that situation. I remember the hundreds of people who believed in us, just like we did when we started that first boat. I will forever be grateful for the faith they had in us, and continue to have, every time we say “I have a great idea!” I am personally humbled that people give me credit for building this company, but in the end, everyone who has ever worked for us or entrusted us to build or repair a boat is part of the family that deserves that honor.
Recently I saw a few minutes of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and saw “Believe” on the front of the building. What a fitting word for our last 30 years! I am thankful so many of you believed in us, and my hope is that during this Christmas season you will find time to believe in yourself, each other, family, friends, co-workers and in the good in others. If we take the time to do that, and take a chance, there is no telling what we might inspire others to do.
I look forward to the next 30 years at Jarrett Bay and hope you have a blessed Christmas!
