Business is booming at White Lake Marine with a new 10,000 ft. indoor storage facility, able to shelter 28 boats from the elements, and that is good news for the local area because WL Marine is more than just a boat dealership; they house 3 different businesses under one umbrella, and have recently opened a dealership in the Raleigh-Durham area. They have created more than 20 local jobs in Bladen County, and those employees serve customers all over the world, through the ecommerce website: www.nautiqueparts.com “We hire local, and sell global,” said David deAndrade. “We have our local presence in White Lake, but the sales we generate through the parts website are providing jobs and tax revenue for the local economy, from all over the world.
White Lake Marine has earned the boating industry distinction of Top 100 Marine Dealer (of 6500 dealers in the nation), for 2 years in a row, partly because they are the oldest American CorrectCraft dealership in the world, partly because they are the largest supplier of Nautique parts, in the world, partly because they sell only high end, high performance machines, and partly just because they know the meaning of great customer service. Visit their website for more details. www.whitelake.com
Carl and David deAndrade have tested the waters, and everything is smooth sailing, or more to the point, outrageous fun if you like wake-boarding, wake-skiing, or wake-surfing, (the latest craze in water sports). The deAndrades’ have owned and operated the White Lake Marina and White Lake Marine boat dealership since 1985, featuring CorrectCraft’s top of the line Nautique brand of luxury inboard ski boats and watercraft. Nautique has been the premiere name in boating since 1925, and has enjoyed a presence at White Lake since that time.
On Aug 1, 2007 White Lake Marine became an authorized Moomba Performance Ski and Wakeboard Boats dealer for the Eastern North Carolina Market, and they offer full service on Pleasurecraft Marine Engines and the Indmar Inboard line, as well as, providing on-site mobile service for Nautique and Moomba owners in their market areas. In 2008, they added their Showroom, and have many models on site. Open from 8-5 Monday-Friday and 9-4 on Saturday, this family business is here to serve Bladen County and beyond.
Why here? For many years, families have made a tradition of enjoying their summers at White Lake, and by the time Grandma and Grandpa are ready to retire their grandchildren have developed a natural fondness for the area that helped them grow up, so they continue to come back with their own children. White Lake Marine was here when Grandma and Grandpa were children, and it will still be here when their grandchildren become grandparents.
Why go beyond that then? David deAndrade, General Manager of Nautique Parts, had this to say, “We’re not just trying to be a boat dealer for White Lake, we are growing this business into a well-known name with the ecommerce website, where we sell parts all over the world. We do about 15% of our total business in Bladen County, and 85% everywhere else. And all the tax revenue comes to this community.“
White Lake is a small area, and we are in a niche market with the CorrectCraft Nautique and Moomba brands, so we offer what the discerning consumer wants. “I don’t want to be a Jack of all Trades, selling every kind of boat that someone might want. I’d rather be the master of one,” said deAndrade, Sr., “These Nautique and Moomba lines of inboard Wake and Ski Boats have the torque you need to get you up on your skis or board, and all the luxury you could wish for on the inside for the journey to your favorite water spot.” (GPS, High Definition screens, Bimini Tops)
Wake Surfing is one of the fastest growing water sports today, and it is driving the boat market. No rope to tether you physically to the boat. It’s like riding an endless wave, with no need to stop while the wave meets the shore. Drop by White Lake Marine at 6485 US Hwy 701 North White Lake, NC 28337, to ask about wake surfing and check out the new facility. See you at the lake.
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