Thurston's Marine

[Lakesrider]

I thought I had seen the lit up sign saying something about new owners? Maybe I am just imagining it though as I am usually paying attention to that weird intersection......

[AC2717]

Nothing going on there, same owners
There is a back order on New Cobalts, Cobalts slowed production down due to economy and Thurstons was selling over all their inventory put a order in and was back ordered. They are thriving over there,

By the way, I am a very satisfied customer who interacts with them on a weekly basis (not for repairs lol) just because they are great people

[BroadHopper]

Not a great fan of Thurston's. Capt Bonehead rents his boats from there. Many have complained to the staff about it. They are still doing it!

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Not a great fan of Thurston's. Capt Bonehead rents his boats from there. Many have complained to the staff about it. They are still doing it!

Now that's what I call painting everyone with the same broad brush! People can rent boats for 1/2 day, 1 day, or multiple days. They also rent slips when they are available. And Thurston's follows the law when renting to customers (licenses, safety, equipment, maps, instructions, inspections before each rental). I doubt that anyone goes to the counter and says "I'm Capt Bonehead, and I'm going to break all the rules, but give me a boat anyway" -- and if they did say that, I doubt Thurston's would rent to them.

Full disclosure -- I have never had a business deal with Thurston's, although I have been known -- in the past -- to rent boats and slips from others around the lake. Spending my money. Having a good time. And not intentionally disrupting the life of the permament residents, or causing anyone any heartburn as a result of my temporary status as a vacationer.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Before we owned a boat we were frequent renters. We followed the rules and were perhaps overly cautious due to our inexperience and fear of the unknown. Achieving the rank of the Capitan requires more a lack of concern and judgment than a lack of ownership or experience. That being said, certainly combining both can make for a terrificly bad combination and a Captain deserving of a salute.

[robmac]

IMHO,I have done business with the Thurston family going back to early 90s. I have always found them to be honest,friendly and above all responsible in all of their business practices. You can't blame a business for being in business when they are both vocal and vigilant about safe boating on the lake if someone who does rent from them or another facility with all the needed info breaks a rule they shouldn't be held solely accountable.Wasn't that the purpose of a boating certificate? Alot of marinas rent and once their customer leaves the dock you can only pray your instinct they will operate safely will prevail. I am not related nor do I have any affiliation with them, just another great family trying to make a living on the lake.

[VitaBene]

I have a bigger issue with the loophole that allows for those "temporary" boating certificates.

I have a feeling that some people get one every year. It is part of many of the rental yards' advertising that they offer temp certificates.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

I have a bigger issue with the loophole that allows for those "temporary" boating certificates.

I have a feeling that some people get one every year. It is part of many of the rental yards' advertising that they offer temp certificates.

Vita;

I believe they are only good for 3 days, but not certain.

Dan

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Vita;

I believe they are only good for 3 days, but not certain.

Dan

They are good for 14 days.

[NoRegrets]

There is a shortage of boats created by the cut back on manufacturing for the past 3 years. I wonder if this isn't the reason for your observation. i know Irwins board and on hand inventory is the smallest that I have seen in the 10 years I have been at the lake.

[TiltonBB]

One of the reasons that marinas all over the country (Winnipesaukee included) have cut back on new inventory is the high cost of floor planning. That is the interest paid on inventory until it sells. Any dealer that does not pay cash for new product must finance it through the manufacturer or large commercial finance companies like G.E Capital.
Because sales numbers are currently much lower than in many previous years the additional cost to have that brand new boat in your showroom for 12 to 18 months has a significant impact on the bottom line of any marina. That carrying cost is the primary reason why many boat, automobile and R.V dealers are reducing their inventory.

[Misty Blue]

A few years ago I was doing a job at Thurston's and a rental came in with only 1/2 of it's out drive. 'Lower unit sheared off at the water pump.

The wife was furious at having to pay for the damage, around seven hundred bucks, which seemed reasonable to me.

As her husband was trying to find a rock to hide under the wife claimed that it was not their fault because the "litle dashes on the "map" that you gave us that shows which side of the "posts" to go on were not out there"!

You can't make this stuff up!

Misty Blue.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Green's Basin Girl

They are good for 14 days.

Thanks G.B.G. I stand corrected.

Dan

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Not a great fan of Thurston's. Capt Bonehead rents his boats from there. Many have complained to the staff about it. They are still doing it!

That's a poor excuse for disliking a marina. Can you name one boat rental marina that hasn't rented to "Captain Bone head"... I don't think there is a question on the temporary boating exam that say's "check here if your Capt. Bone Head"...

Dan

[Winni P]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Not a great fan of Thurston's. Capt Bonehead rents his boats from there. Many have complained to the staff about it. They are still doing it!

Please don't ASSUME that we are Capt Boneheads when you see us in our rental boat from Thurstons. I have been at the lake evey summer since the 1970s with my parents and their boat. I grew up helping my dad navigate Winni. Then dad sold the boat. Now that I am married with my own family, it just hasn't made financial sense for us to purchase a boat, so we rent every year. Believe me, the 1st year of renting was a difficult one to our egos but it was far better than not being on Winni at all...

[RailroadJoe]

Not sure if this should appear here, but I thought too good to not post it somewhere.



An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly, rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn), and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).


His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife,Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers:
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing

[BroadHopper]

I'm not calling all renters Boneheads. I've just seen too many renters, especially the jetskiers around the Weirs area being a bit too bold for my taste. I also rent on Havasu and Lake Norman.

What bothers me, as stated on another thread on this site, is the attitude of a certain Thurston Marine employee or owner? I was nearly clipped by a pontoon rental leaving the marina one weekend. I approached a very heavy set man up in the showroom wearing a Thurston Marine polo. Ask if he is the manager and he said yes. I told him what happened ouside and he sort of chuckled, thought it was funny. I don't think it is funny. he says there is nothing he can do.

I strongly feel, renters should take the full safety course. I think the temporary safety certificate is a joke.

[jrc]

My most recent encounter with a rented boat was mid-week. As I approached the northern end of the channel between Mark and Timber a boat well ahead of me went to the shore side of the black markers there. I was too far away to warn them. They stopped suddenly after noticing the rocks. Turned left towards deeper water and the crossed the channel to the shore side of the red marker! By now I was close so I gave them five blasts of the horn. They proceeded to deeper water.

[dpg]

I strongly feel, renters should take the full safety course. I think the temporary safety certificate is a joke.

It'll never happen, to much $$ involved.

[WakeboardMom]

If you go to the Cobalt website, and then click on "dealer locator," you get directed to East Coast Flightcraft. I think it's possible that Thurstons is no longer a Cobalt dealer.

Edit to say that I tried again and Thurston did pop up.

[VtSteve]

I think you're being way to hard on the renters per se BH. I'm sure many are relatively new to boating, I don't know. But to suggest that the full course would improve their skills? I see what happens everyday on the roadways, so I remain unconvinced.

Besides, there are people on the water with years of experience, some with one year, some with many, that simply are not good at driving boats. Many of these folks presumably have taken the full course, so.....

So BH, what's the cost of boat rentals out at Havasu and Lake Norman?

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

I think you're being way to hard on the renters per se BH. I'm sure many are relatively new to boating, I don't know. But to suggest that the full course would improve their skills? I see what happens everyday on the roadways, so I remain unconvinced.

Besides, there are people on the water with years of experience, some with one year, some with many, that simply are not good at driving boats. Many of these folks presumably have taken the full course, so.....

So BH, what's the cost of boat rentals out at Havasu and Lake Norman?

Steve,

I understand your point but allowing someone to boat on Winni without some training (which is what studying for the certificate was for me) is criminal. See Misty Blue's post above for the reason I feel this way.

All of the compliant boaters had to take it, why should renting a boat allow one to skip this learning opportunity.

[MAXUM]

Do you really think it's fair to chastise a dealer for providing rentals? Has anyone ever considered that by doing so helps keep the doors open and provides a very important revenue stream for them? Geeze folks lighten up a bit, at least the place is open, employing people and helping in drawing tourist dollars into the area. All good things especially the way things are today!

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Steve,

I understand your point but allowing someone to boat on Winni without some training (which is what studying for the certificate was for me) is criminal. See Misty Blue's post above for the reason I feel this way.

All of the compliant boaters had to take it, why should renting a boat allow one to skip this learning opportunity.

Yeah, nice story. But in real life, many people that live on the lake and boat aren't that much brighter. Really. I've witnessed people with ten years experience that couldn't tell a wave from a ham sandwich. People are waaaaay too serious about the "boater education".

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

Yeah, nice story. But in real life, many people that live on the lake and boat aren't that much brighter. Really. I've witnessed people with ten years experience that couldn't tell a wave from a ham sandwich. People are waaaaay too serious about the "boater education".

Shirley you jest.



not



Both are "dishes" but I can tell the difference.

I could write a book (OK, mebbe a short story) about the boating wrongs on Winni (and I suspect most other places) but it really comes down to the nut behind the wheel seems looser these days than 30 years ago ... and that's true on the roads as well. Most people just want to do enough to get by and not expend the energy req'd to "master" anything.

[Jmo77011]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I'm not calling all renters Boneheads. I've just seen too many renters, especially the jetskiers around the Weirs area being a bit too bold for my taste. I also rent on Havasu and Lake Norman.

What bothers me, as stated on another thread on this site, is the attitude of a certain Thurston Marine employee or owner? I was nearly clipped by a pontoon rental leaving the marina one weekend. I approached a very heavy set man up in the showroom wearing a Thurston Marine polo. Ask if he is the manager and he said yes. I told him what happened ouside and he sort of chuckled, thought it was funny. I don't think it is funny. he says there is nothing he can do.

I strongly feel, renters should take the full safety course. I think the temporary safety certificate is a joke.

I can understand that you felt upset, but what exactly were you hoping would happen? What could the manager have done?

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Not a great fan of Thurston's. Capt Bonehead rents his boats from there. Many have complained to the staff about it. They are still doing it!

Kinda funny you should bring that up. I came across a Thurston's renter just yesterday. I was pulling into the Center Harbor docks to go to the hardware store. I was about half way between the 150' marker and the dock and I hear an outboard motor rev'd way up. I looked up and saw a boat full of people trying to dock on one of the side docks. He kept shifting between forward and reverse and each time he'd gun it instead of just putting in gear. Whenever he went into reverse he did it with such gusto that water would pour over the transom. There was a guy in the bow trying to grab for a post when he shot backwards again, almost sending him into the drink. There was a boat in the adjacent slip that I thought sure he would smash into on his next attempt. Cautiously, I approached (with the safety of a dock between us) and suggested that it might be easier to dock in the front slip instead where there were no other boats. I also offered my advice to try it more slowly. He agreed that maybe he was trying to go too fast. I had docked and tied up just as he was now attempting to dock on the outside slip. This time he got about 5' away then cut the engine and let it drift in. Before I could offer a hand the guy on the bow jumped out with a line in his hand and was able to bring them in. Fun stuff.

I wouldn't know if Thurstan's is any different with their rental policy than anybody else but I would think they would all make sure that their boats are being operated by somebody who at least has a clue as to how to do so.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

Kinda funny you should bring that up. I came across a Thurston's renter just yesterday. I was pulling into the Center Harbor docks to go to the hardware store. I was about half way between the 150' marker and the dock and I hear an outboard motor rev'd way up. I looked up and saw a boat full of people trying to dock on one of the side docks. He kept shifting between forward and reverse and each time he'd gun it instead of just putting in gear. Whenever he went into reverse he did it with such gusto that water would pour over the transom. There was a guy in the bow trying to grab for a post when he shot backwards again, almost sending him into the drink. There was a boat in the adjacent slip that I thought sure he would smash into on his next attempt. Cautiously, I approached (with the safety of a dock between us) and suggested that it might be easier to dock in the front slip instead where there were no other boats. I also offered my advice to try it more slowly. He agreed that maybe he was trying to go too fast. I had docked and tied up just as he was now attempting to dock on the outside slip. This time he got about 5' away then cut the engine and let it drift in. Before I could offer a hand the guy on the bow jumped out with a line in his hand and was able to bring them in. Fun stuff.

I wouldn't know if Thurstan's is any different with their rental policy than anybody else but I would think they would all make sure that their boats are being operated by somebody who at least has a clue as to how to do so.

All the places that rent are about the same. I do not think that Thurston's is any worse or any better than any of the others. Bottom line is they have invested in boats to rent, and if they do not rent these boats, they lose money.

As far as boat service goes, Thurston's is top quality in my opinion. But, this is not the issue here.

The hard part for me to rationalize is that when the "unspeakable law" was being debated/supported, many of these rental marinas supported the "unspeakable law" in the interest of safety. WHAT CRAP in my opinion. If they cared one bit about safety, they would take the renters out and see if they could safely operate a boat. If they did that, in many cases, the only rational assessment would be the potential renter had no experience and should not be on the lake.

I believe that some portion of the renters are very safe operators and well experienced boaters. These boaters are not the issue at all. Their boating conduct is appropriate and they are welcomed into the safe boating community.

That said, I have seen way too many of the rental boats from all the renting marinas out there creating unsafe conditions for me to conclude these rental marinas care one bit about safety. It is the profit from these renters that drive their decisions about renting. Business is business, do not let boating safety get in the way of profit. But, they all become hypocrites when it comes to supporting laws about boating safety. They opt to support new laws that have nothing to do about boating safety, and they do it in the interest of boating safety. Go figure!!

Think of the highways. What if Hertz and Avis where allowed to rent cars to people with no driving experience if these people passed a 20 question multiple choice questionere, and could retake the same questionere if they failed the first time, or the second or third time? How safe would our roads be if this was the case? Not safe at all in my opinion. However, in a more complex vehicle operational environment, boating on our lake, just pass the test and get on out there. Be cool and have fun!?

Life is very strange at times in my opinion.

R2B

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

All the places that rent are about the same. I do not think that Thurston's is any worse or any better than any of the others. Bottom line is they have invested in boats to rent, and if they do not rent these boats, they lose money.

As far as boat service goes, Thurston's is top quality in my opinion. But, this is not the issue here.

The hard part for me to rationalize is that when the "unspeakable law" was being debated/supported, many of these rental marinas supported the "unspeakable law" in the interest of safety. WHAT CRAP in my opinion. If they cared one bit about safety, they would take the renters out and see if they could safely operate a boat. If they did that, in many cases, the only rational assessment would be the potential renter had no experience and should not be on the lake.

I believe that some portion of the renters are very safe operators and well experienced boaters. These boaters are not the issue at all. Their boating conduct is appropriate and they are welcomed into the safe boating community.

That said, I have seen way too many of the rental boats from all the renting marinas out there creating unsafe conditions for me to conclude these rental marinas care one bit about safety. It is the profit from these renters that drive their decisions about renting. Business is business, do not let boating safety get in the way of profit. But, they all become hypocrites when it comes to supporting laws about boating safety. They opt to support new laws that have nothing to do about boating safety, and they do it in the interest of boating safety. Go figure!!

Think of the highways. What if Hertz and Avis where allowed to rent cars to people with no driving experience if these people passed a 20 question multiple choice questionere, and could retake the same questionere if they failed the first time, or the second or third time? How safe would our roads be if this was the case? Not safe at all in my opinion. However, in a more complex vehicle operational environment, boating on our lake, just pass the test and get on out there. Be cool and have fun!?

Life is very strange at times in my opinion.

R2B

I am right on with this R2B
and trust me I am not one to stray from my opinions unless proven wrong, but I always seem to remember that we have all started out at one point or another and had to learn how to operate a boat.
Only difference is that those of that that are here as much as possible have had more practice either due to now owning a boat or renting multiple times

Come on now everyone stop being a boating Snob, as we have all been there at one point or another

by the way Thurston's Marina is one of the best out there and will probably will be there, as long as ownership does not change families, for years to come!
-which is what this thread was on to begin with

[Happy Gourmand]

Seems like a lot of folks are painting renters and those who rent boats with a pretty broad brush. I think we all need to be somewhat more tolerant and maybe even a little more helpful when we see what appears to be an inexperienced boater struggling to do something that seems easy for a more experienced boater.
I can think back on the many times that I have docked in a challenging crosswind as if my boat was on rails......I can also remember (although I try to forget) how many times I tried to do so in less challenging conditions when my boat didn't do anything I thought it should be doing and surely gave the impression to anybody watching that it was my first time out.
We've all been there.

[VtSteve]

I agree. There are many, many times the "experienced" boaters on the waterways that really have limited skills. How many times have you seen a boat come into dock with someone throwing a line wildly to an attendant? We don't have hardly any rental boats over here, but plenty of boneheads. Most are just oblivious to what goes on around them.

Just going by the numbers, I'd have to say that inexperienced boaters on brand new boats outnumber renters by a very large number. Ditto for "experienced" boaters with limited skills in older boats. It's too bad that there isn't an on-water boat driving test for all new registrations. Piloting a boat on the water is quite different than the so-called boat tests taken in a classroom or online.

[WeirsBeachBoater]

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/...a=8&ajaxpipe=1

[Resident 2B]

WBB,

Interesting and good idea!!

Thanks!

R2B

[Gatto Nero]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Seems like a lot of folks are painting renters and those who rent boats with a pretty broad brush. I think we all need to be somewhat more tolerant and maybe even a little more helpful when we see what appears to be an inexperienced boater struggling to do something that seems easy for a more experienced boater.
I can think back on the many times that I have docked in a challenging crosswind as if my boat was on rails......I can also remember (although I try to forget) how many times I tried to do so in less challenging conditions when my boat didn't do anything I thought it should be doing and surely gave the impression to anybody watching that it was my first time out.
We've all been there.

I would absolutely agree that we should lend a hand if we can. I am more than happy to help out, either with advice or to grab a line. But I have to admit that I do paint them with a broad brush as well. Any time I see a rental on the open water, no matter what marina they are from, I do assume they are clueless and make a point of staying clear of them. I will always give them the right of way no matter which direction they are headed because I assume they have no idea. Better safe than sorry.

[TiltonBB]

Most of us who own and operate boats had the opportunity to learn from a friend or parent how to safely operate and dock a boat. They rode with us and coached us until we got it right.

The big difference with renters is that in most (not all) cases no one on the boat has any significant boating experience or Winnipesaukee specific experience. So when the renter makes mistakes there is no one aboard to offer direction or suggest corrections.

In many ways this works out to the detriment of safety on the lake but the boat rental companies are helped by that. Every time a renter brings a boat back it is inspected for damage and these rental boats are often damaged. The marina then bills the renter top dollar for the repairs, thereby increasing their profit. For the marinas, sending a cluless (Junior Captain Bonehead) operator out on the lake becomes a win-win situation.

[sunset on the dock]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

The hard part for me to rationalize is that when the "unspeakable law" was being debated/supported, many of these rental marinas supported the "unspeakable law" in the interest of safety. WHAT CRAP in my opinion.

But, they all become hypocrites when it comes to supporting laws about boating safety. They opt to support new laws that have nothing to do about boating safety, and they do it in the interest of boating safety. Go figure!!



R2B

I have read Jeff Thurston's testimony which was read at the senate/house hearing. To say the "unspeakable law" is all about safety is a serious oversimplification that has been used over and over by those opposed to said law. Safety is just one facet of why this law was passed.

[VtSteve]

I can only imagine SOTD

At any rate, I wasn't aware of this.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meredi...5104656?v=wall


Great idea. Hopefully the prices aren't too limiting.

I think it should be mandatory in some way shape or form, as it is for automobiles.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by sunset on the dock

I have read Jeff Thurston's testimony which was read at the senate/house hearing. To say the "unspeakable law" is all about safety is a serious oversimplification that has been used over and over by those opposed to said law. Safety is just one facet of why this law was passed.

If Jeff Thurston is interested in safety, then he shouldn't be renting boats to folks without the proper safety certificate. I strongly feel he was for this unspeakable law to divert the attention from his renting to boneheads.