Take 10: Keeping boats safe from the high seas – Cape Cod Times (subscription)

Sean F. Driscoll @SeanFDriscoll

SOUTH YARMOUTH When the waters of Cape Cod turn warm and boaters return to the seas, Dry Dock Marine Corp. gets hopping.

The boat hauling and storage business keeps about 200 vessels on 5 acres at its Old Town House Road facility and, for the most part, sees its busiest seasons right before and after summer as its dry-docked boats move on and off the yard to head nearly anywhere across the Cape.

We handle a lot of big stuff from a lot of all the major boat yards. Were probably one of the biggest boat haulers on the Cape, said Frank Richard, who bought the business with his wife, Marie, in 1977 and continues to work there with his son, Skip, who has taken over the day-to-day operations.

The business allows boats to be stored on trailers in the yard, too, so during the summer theres a steady stream of customers coming in and out to take their boats on the water for the day. The business also allows owners to work on their boats while theyre in storage, giving them an edge on the marinas that typically provide less access during the off-season.

Video:Dry Dock Marine Corp. in South Yarmouth

What is the biggest component of your business? Skip: Boat hauling is our primary business.

How long have you been in business? Marie: We started in August of 1977. We moved to this location in March 2006.

What did you do before? Skip: Ive been involved in the business since I was 10 years old.

How big is your staff? Marie: Six.

How has the market changed since your business started? Skip: The size and price of the boats. Our customers are a lot more demanding. Were still a do-it-yourself yard; we do some work, the owners do some work, they get contractors to do some work. Its a lot more picky. The boats are a lot cleaner, the boats are lot more expensive. Frank: We hauled a couple of boats to the Boston Boat Show this year that were worth $1 million apiece. And they sold it. Some of the stuff we move, its high value.

What are your plans for your business' future? Skip:Who knows? Possibly a little more inside storage.

What's your most memorable moment with this business? Skip:Id probably say moving up here. Frank: The old shop, we had three-quarters of an acre (and) we had outgrown it by 10 or 15 years easy. We were in an old barracks building that was converted. Skip:Now we come here, we dont have any more dirt, we have asphalt and rock, a wash basin for the bottom-washing and water and electricity all over the yard for the customers. Its just a nice facility.

What advice do you have for someone starting out in business? Frank:Theyve got one tough nut to go. If someone went to start this business up in the position we're in right now, Id hate to think what theyd have to have for money just to start off with. Skip:Stay small. You dont always have quality people working for you.

What's the biggest challenge about having a business on Cape Cod? Skip: Employees. You cant find the quality here. Marie: We had a guy come in on a bicycle for a driving job. He didnt have a license.

What's the best thing about having a business on Cape Cod? Skip:In this business, its being independent. Our business slows down for the summer, so we can enjoy it a little bit more.

Follow Sean F. Driscoll on Twitter: @seanfdriscoll.

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Take 10: Keeping boats safe from the high seas - Cape Cod Times (subscription)