Marine Travelift dealer increases local marine economy sales.
Two Ohio marinas purchased new Marine Travelift Mariner Forklifts from Interstate Lift Truck, an established Marine Travelift dealer for 20 years. The sales are a positive indication that the marina economy is growing from its 2008 economic decline. Since then, vessels have continued to develop in size and weight; and Foxhaven Marina and Whiskey Island Marina remain invested in the future of the industry. Rack storage has been a primary source of revenue for Foxhaven Marina since 1973. So when the company’s lift truck needed to be replaced, the marina searched for a high-quality forklift to endure the everyday physical demands of a marina environment. After doing some product research, Foxhaven Marina purchased a new Marine Travelift Mariner Forklift M1500.
“It was a necessity – our old lift truck was wearing out and we knew we needed to invest in a quality product. So we chose Marine Travelift,” said Vice President of Marina Operations Todd Jagucki. Located on the southern shores of Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Ohio, Foxhaven’s impressive amenities keep the marina active. The many services include over 670 docks up to 70-feet, 250,000 sq. ft. inside storage, a 20-ton hoist, in and out rack storage, a fuel dock, maintenance and mechanical boat repair, and pump out services.
The marina utilizes its indoor rack storage to protect vessels from weather and extreme temperatures. “We can accommodate about 350 boats for winter storage and winterize around 525 boats per season,” said Jagucki. Jagucki collaborated with Marine Travelift engineers to find the best fit for the marina. “Because our buildings were already built, our biggest problem was finding a lift truck that could work within the dimensions we had. Marine Travelift was very helpful in providing us drawings and sketches that showed us our maximum length of boat loaded on the forklift and the abilities of the forklift turning in our building.”
The Mariner Forklift M1500 is primarily used to lift smaller (under 25’) cuddy cabin type boats, personal watercraft and small jet boats. The extra-wide stance provides improved stability during high lifts and the shorter wheelbase allows for greater maneuverability inside storage buildings.Whiskey Island Marina located on Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland also invested in a new Marine Travelift forklift from Interstate Lift Truck. The Marine Travelift Mariner M2500 is capable of lifting 25,000 lbs. “We needed the capacity of the Marine Travelift Mariner Forklift M2500 for the boats we handle and a machine that could operate in our aisle space,” said Whiskey Island General Manager Tim Poole.
Whiskey Island Marina lifts powerboats and sailboats of all sizes and has seen an increase in business since purchasing the forklift. Poole explains, “Business has been good, but more importantly we can now handle larger vessels safely and quickly; while maximizing our yard storage.”