Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS March 2009
Hamlin's Marina on the Penobscot
HAMPDEN – There is no question that the is fenced in, and not open to the public. Here
coast of Maine is one of the most we have people come do their own work and
breathtaking places to go boating. Cruising then we haul and launch their boat. We see
along the rock bound coast draws people a different cliental, this is a saltwater
from all over the world. However, few have cliental.”
enjoyed one of the most beautiful sites, the They have a number of new boat lines.
Penobscot River. The newest is Eastern Boats, which is strictly
One of the marinas on the river is a saltwater line, with lengths from 18 to 31
Hamlin's Marina, which is located just south feet. They also have the Rinker Express
of Bangor/Brewer in Hampden. It is a nice Cruisers, which go up o 40 feet in length; the
location, which started as a do-it yourself Hurricane deck and pontoon boats,
boat yard called Turtle Head Marina. They Polarcraft aluminum and fiberglass fishing
have a large storage shed, with service bays, boats, Mastercraft speed boats and Stingray
a large area for outside storage and a sales runabouts, cuddies and cruisers. The also
office for several lines of new and used have a full line of Honda and Yamaha
boats. And for the public, it affords a nice outboards, with full service available.
ramp for launching or hauling out your boat, During the winter the send all their
ample parking, and a great place to eat, technicians to as many schools as possible
Dana’s Grill. so they are up to date on all these engines. quickly that it took a lot more planning to deal father-in-law got the idea he wanted to get
Dan Higgins is manager, and with his Higgins added, “Currently we are with a larger boat than trailer boat. We have into sporting goods. So he bought a place in
wife Katie, are part owners of the facility. working with the Town of Hampden on taken baby steps here and now we are very Fairfield, which sold boats, snowmobiles,
Higgins had been working in the developing the adjacent parcel here and comfortable handling a lot of things that four chainsaws, guns, everything. They moved
pharmaceutical business, but after his move some of the public facilities there. This years ago we weren’t as experienced with.” that next to the convenience store and called
marriage he left that to work in sales for would allow us to grow, and it would really “This was Marcel’s dream,” continue it Hamlin’s Sporting World. He used to stock
Hamlin Marine in Waterville, which is owned be an asset to the community. We have a lot Higgins. “He had a different vision than what everything and he noticed when the big box
by his wife’s parents. of basic concerns, mainly more and more we have. He was strictly a boat yard guy. stores came in, they were taking a good
He said that the learning curve has been traffic. It gets pretty crazy here in the middle Most of his customers were his friends and market share away. When I came on board I
steep adding, “I went to work in September of summer.” they did their own work. However, being a had a lot of computer knowledge and we
of ’04. Primarily did sales, but also had some They also want to expand the number of seasonal business with the overhead that we found out very quickly where we made our
management responsibilities. When this slips, since more people want slips than carry we have to operate different.” money. It was our boating customers, so we
opportunity came up, my wife and I, actually moorings. Higgins explained, “We have Hamlin's Marina was started by Dave focused on it and since then we’ve been fully
became partners with my in-laws on this fifteen in place right now and we have a and Chris Hamlin. Higgins added, “They dedicated to them.”
location. So it is actually two separate waiting list. The Army Corp of Engineers has started out as entrepreneurs with the Bever- “This expansion to Hampden has just
businesses.” permitted us for an additional 52 slips. Our age Barn, which is now Joker’s Discount been an extension of that focus,” continued
In April 2005 Hamlin's Marina opened slip customers are some of our best Beverage Center. My father-in-law is a mar- Higgins. “We’ve also become more and more
the Hampden location, but this operation customers for services and sales. So we want keter. He was the first one to get the big committed to the service component rather
was going to be a lot different than their to attract them and have them use this as their refrigeration systems in to have ice-cold beer, than just sales. There was a time when you
Waterville operation. Higgins said, “Not home base.” he would go all the way to Stonington to fill could fix everything by selling more boats.
only are we a retail sales outfit, we service The founder of the yard, Marcel his tanks with fresh lobster and everything We are finding that that is different now and
and store boats. We are also becoming Whitney still works there, although he takes had to be big. As the girls were growing up we are catering more and more to the serious
somewhat of a destination and a community the winter off to go to the Virgin Islands. they decided to purchase a convenience boater. Those that have a real passion for it.”
on the river. I guess the biggest difference on Higgins said, “He has taught me a tremen- store. That convenience store sits in the Higgins said, “We are opening our eyes
a daily basis is that we are a very open facility dous amount because I was an open slate parking lot of our Waterville location, and is right now and seeing what’s out there and it
verses the Waterville site. Everything there when I came here. It became evident very called C. & H. Convenience Store. Then my is a big world.”
WINTERPORT
Calvin Beal Jr. 34, 36, 38 & 44
MARINE & BOATYARD
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CB-44 (44' X 17')
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We are a clean, respectable boatyard that appreciates
Lamoine, Maine 04605
(207) 667-7427
your business. Contact us today at: (207) 223-8885 or
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www.winterportmarine.com
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