About "Bob" and
the Company!
Service 1 Marine was founded in 1999, by Bob Stratton a younger, but experienced marine mechanic / salesman / entrepreneur who was determined to open up a low cost, high quality, marine storage facility that would cater to the ever so growing Chicago population in New Buffalo Mi. Having 12 years experience behind him, at two local marinas, Service 1 Marine opened up In July of 1999. Now on his own, Bob began working out of his home and truck walking the docks armed with his tools and flyers promoting his services that included boat storage - marine engine repair and electronic installation.
While, in the mean time, desperately trying to get zoning approval for building a boat a storage facility in New Buffalo for the up coming winter season. New Buffalo did not want a boat storage facility in their city limits, so all attempts for approval had failed. Now, after promising boat storage to his loyal customers of 10 years, it appeared he was not going to have a place to lay them up for the winter. (Big problem), but a little luck and a lot of determination solved that problem one day. Using the solution (There are 10 ways to solve any problem) Bob, with the help of his father ,(Leonard Stratton) Purchased a large 10 acre piece of land just over the Indiana line, not having the zoning restrictions on boat storage! Now, Service 1 Marine is the largest and most popular boat service and storage facility around, having the largest fleet of heavy equipment to move large vessels nationwide.
Service 1 Marine was founded in 1999, by Bob Stratton a younger, but experienced marine mechanic / salesman / entrepreneur who was determined to open up a low cost, high quality, marine storage facility that would cater to the ever so growing Chicago population in New Buffalo Mi. Having 12 years experience behind him, at two local marinas, Service 1 Marine opened up In July of 1999. Now on his own, Bob began working out of his home and truck walking the docks armed with his tools and flyers promoting his services that included boat storage - marine engine repair and electronic installation.
While, in the mean time, desperately trying to get zoning approval for building a boat a storage facility in New Buffalo for the up coming winter season. New Buffalo did not want a boat storage facility in their city limits, so all attempts for approval had failed. Now, after promising boat storage to his loyal customers of 10 years, it appeared he was not going to have a place to lay them up for the winter. (Big problem), but a little luck and a lot of determination solved that problem one day. Using the solution (There are 10 ways to solve any problem) Bob, with the help of his father ,(Leonard Stratton) Purchased a large 10 acre piece of land just over the Indiana line, not having the zoning restrictions on boat storage! Now, Service 1 Marine is the largest and most popular boat service and storage facility around, having the largest fleet of heavy equipment to move large vessels nationwide.
Even though Service 1 Marine was
built on service, Bob did not stop there.
In July of 2000 he opened up a Boat brokerage
division with the catchy phrase saying!
(list with me! store for free!) using this
promotion Service 1
Marine has gotten the widest selection of
used boats in the Midwest making it a popular
destination for many boat
purchasers today. Sadly,
in September 2002 Bob lost his father to lung cancer. This being
a devastating blow to Bob, he made sure his father would
not be forgotten, and placed a memorial in
his name outside the storage grounds of Service
1 Marine. In 2003
-2004 business has doubled and so has the
personnel, Bob's vision
for the near future
entails inside heated boat storage, and continuing
to be the hub of used
boat sales on southern Lake Michigan.