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BOAT owners in southwest WA are the winners, with a revitalised Augusta Marine becoming Australia’s latest Mercury Dealership.
“We’ve put a lot of work into the business over the past five years and joining the Mercury team is taking us to the next level,” said owner Craig Gilbert.
Augusta sits right on the south-west tip of W.A. With the Indian Ocean to one side, Flinders Bay on the other and the Hardy Inlet right in the middle, it’s no surprise a lot of Augusta residents have boats. The area is also home to a commercial abalone industry.
“Being with Mercury means we can offer more support and more options – people can repower virtually any boat and be confident there’s service, maintenance and spare parts support right here without having to trailer up and down the coast,” Craig said.
Becoming a Mercury Dealer is just the latest step in Craig’s quest to create a thriving local enterprise.
“When I bought the business five years ago there was very little going on, but we’ve turned it around and now it’s paying off. There were no tricks. We just kept saying yes to customers and then delivering really good service – keeping customers happy.”
Craig, his wife and two staff members operate Augusta Marine alongside his automotive repair business.
“Right now we’re just completing a new retail spare parts area for both boats and cars which is going to be a valuable resource for this area,” Craig said, with Augusta being about 150 kms south of Bunbury and 40 from Margaret River. What we have also done is create a mobile workshop, fully fitted out in the back of a truck which, once we get everything in place, should be on the road full time. It’ll extend our reach across the entire region.”
A qualified automotive mechanic, Craig is also a long-time boat lover who has a five-meter Westerberg ally with a 90hp Mercury outboard.
“One of the reasons it was easy to sign on with Mercury was that I personally like Mercury engines. I’ve got one on my own boat – I just wish I had more time to enjoy it,” he smiled.
