Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Whiticar - Boatyard of the Year!

Whiticar - Boatyard of the Year!

Awarded by the American Boat Builders & Repair Association

The 2015 Boatyard of the Year award was presented to Whiticar - www.Whiticar.com  by  the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) www.abbra.org  The honor and award was presented during the Boatyard Business Conference Awards Dinner held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from January 21st –23rd.


This prestigious and very special award is given to a service or repair facility that demonstrates excellence in all facets of their company through commitment to customer service, quality management, stewardship in environmental and safety issues, also positive vendor and employee relations, this award is one of ABBRA’s most prestigious Awards of Excellence. Jim Dragseth, president of Whiticar Boat Works accepted the award during the ceremony.
Whiticar has 2 convenient location on the Treasure Coast, including Stuart and Fort Pierce. The company has been in business for the past 60 years. Ownership of the company has passed between fathers and sons, and so too has the dedication to superior workmanship, outstanding customer service and in-depth knowledge of the boating lifestyle. Whiticar Boat Works was founded by Curt Whiticar who was later joined by his brother-in-law John Dragseth to run the business. The facility is designated a Florida Clean Boatyard by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Jim Dragseth and John Whiticar are at the helm leading the company into the modern era. Their expansions have included the establishment of Shearwater Marine in 1996, Whiticar Custom Boats in 2000, Whiticar Marine North in 2003, and Whiticar Yacht Sales in 2004. ABBRA president John Fitzgerald said, “Whiticar employs a wonderful array of talented professionals and the company relies on the old fashioned pride they take in a job well done.” However, in case you think they are a relic of past success, their web presence features two Facebook pages, a Twitter feed, google+, YouTube videos, a custom mobile site and a blog!  Whiticar/Shearwater was also honored last month with the “first place award” for best booth during the Stuart boat show.  Whiticar is a wonderful example of the great tradition of ABBRA boatyards with a storied past and a determination to service their customers into a bright future.

Jim Dragseth said, “It is humbling and very rewarding to be recognized by ABBRA, Thank you very much for this honor.”  Whiticar now joins a group of several other distinguished boatyards around the country which have also received the Boat Yard of the Year award. Some of these other prestigious boatyards include facilities such as Thunderbolt Marine in Georgia, Front Street Shipyard in Maine, Jarrett Bay Boatyard in North Carolina, Newport Shipyard in Rhode Island, and Keefe Kaplan Maritime in California.
For additional information about Whiticar visit our website www.whiticar.com