Yankee Marina & Boatyard

​A Perfect Match for the Tidewater Line of Boats

By Amy Lignor

​When learning about the state of Maine, the motto is one thing that truly stands out: “Dirigo.” This Latin word meaning “I Direct” or “I Lead” certainly fits perfectly when speaking about a true leader in the boating community that can be found in Maine by the name of Yankee Marina & Boatyard.

 A family-owned, full-service marina, YM&B is now in its’ sixth decade of granting to boaters the highest quality marine and specialty technical services they could possibly want. Located on six acres along the protected west bank of the Royal River, boaters are not only enthralled by the menu of services offered, as well as the staff that’s available all year long, but they are equally thrilled to dock in this location and find themselves bowled over by the beauty of Yarmouth.

​About a year ago, Yankee Marina & Boatyard nabbed headlines once again when they became Maine’s exclusive dealer for Tidewater Boats. This is a perfect “union” considering that Tidewater embraces the values that YM&B deliver each and every day. Born in the Midlands of South Carolina where Marine Craftsmanship is a staple of the economy, Tidewater has historically utilized the best materials and skilled labor to produce a boat worthy of proud ownership, making the highly-respected Yankee Marina & Boatyard a perfect dealer. Featuring Tidewater Center Consoles in two different configurations, YM&B will also be able to help customize any Tidewater for the consumer with electronics, fabrication, paint, or the installation of any aftermarket products.

​We “sat down” with Deborah Delp, President of Yankee Marina & Boatyard, to speak about the facility, its’ history, and their work with the Tidewater brand.

How long have you been a dealer of Tidewater Boats?
Deborah Delp (D.D.): We have been a Tidewater dealer for a year now.

When selling/presenting a Tidewater boat to potential customers, what is the typical reaction of the consumer to the product in regards to the quality of materials, design, storage, power, performance, etc.?
D.D.: Customers are impressed by the design—the “Carolina Flair” especially—resulting in a dry ride, and the general physical/visual appearance of the outstanding models. One example I can give is when a customer recently came into port, very quickly due to a lightning storm, and kept remarking on how dry the ride was despite the amount of passengers on the boat and the speed at which he was traveling.

What would you say are the top-selling models of Tidewater boats at your dealership, and why?
D.D.: The “CC Adventure,” I would have to say, is a ‘top pick’ with consumers. There are many reasons for this, but just to name a few; great bow seating, extremely spacious, the safety it provides for children, the recessed forward handrail, and a user-friendly console, all combine to make this a model everyone is talking about.

​Can you describe your experience working with Tidewater from a dealer’s perspective?
D.D.: Robert at Tidewater has been very responsive and is always helpful, no matter how insignificant we feel our question(s) may be. I can say that Tidewater is a company with high integrity, which is why our relationship works well because we are definitely the same.

Could you tell us more about your own dealership?
D.D.: Yankee Marina & Boatyard is a family-owned corporation, with second-generation leadership. We strive to honor the legacy that our parents left for us, which is tried and true, old-fashioned customer service. Our motto is: “We take care of people who own boats.” For us, and our family before, it has and will always remain about the people and building new and strong relationships. Additionally, it’s important to note that Tidewater is the only boat line we sell. Which, as you can see, tells you that we believe in this product.

Would that be “number one” on the list when it comes to what you would like the potential customer out there to know about your dealership?
D.D.: Absolutely. Here, people are number one. Building relationships with the customer is the most important thing, and we make sure they are never disappointed.

What is the most significant change in the marine market you have witnessed in the past few years?
D.D.: I have to say the fact that long-term boating customers are switching to Center Consoles, with their focus being on family and fishing. Many people are getting into the boating scene and looking for great values for the young, up-start family. This is yet another reason that makes Tidewater a great fit.

​Can you tell us a bit about the boat show season that is now underway, and what that entails for the dealer?
D.D.: Boat shows are extremely important, and a lot of work goes into them. They definitely provide that connection with the new customer, allowing us to answer their important questions and educate them on what a great choice Tidewater boating is for their family!

I think all boating fans can agree, Maine is one lucky state to have both Tidewater Boats and Yankee Marina & Boatyardtogether in order to give them exactly what they want. To get more information on this fantastic company, head to: www.yankeemarina.com today!