Key Takeaways
DCH Marine, based in Kentucky, has grown from a boat repair and towing service to a full-service HydroHoist dealer, offering sales, installations, and servicing for a wide range of boat lift products.
Owner Don transitioned from managing an auto body shop in Florida to becoming a respected name in the marine industry, known for his deep understanding of lift installation challenges, such as slip dividers and underwater truss work.
The business has seen a shift in market demand from smaller 6,600 lb lifts to larger 8,800 and even 22,000 lb lifts, reflecting changing customer preferences and an increase in larger vessels on Lake Cumberland.
DCH Marine opened for business in 2001 on Lake Venice, Venice, Florida. Their original business plan was to repair boats. They moved the business to its current location on Lake Timberland in Kentucky in 2006 – where they drifted from boat repair to a towing service. They expanded into offering HydroHoist in 2010. They now do everything from dock building/repair, dive, and towing and boat lift sales and service. Prior to 2000 Don was an auto body shop manager in Florida. “I chose to be a HydroHoist dealer because they are the originators and the main player in the industry. After working on them you can definitely see the difference from us and the other lifts that are around.” According to Scott Mauldin, HydroHoist of TN Regional Director, “I was very excited when Don first reached out to me about adding boat lift service to his repertoire. Marine Assist being a well-established, trusted name on Lake Cumberland would give our customers there a local option, providing much faster response times for service needs. Since that time, Don has grown his HydroHoist business from simply offering service on existing units, to being an authorized dealer, offering the full spectrum of sales, installation, and service. Don has proven to be a great partner, and a real friend to the company. His philosophy of customer service mirrors our own and having him and his crew on the HydroHoist team is a real asset.” When asked if he had an interesting and/or challenging boat lift project Don mentioned dealing with wide ships, underwater truss work, and slip dividers as their main challenges. “We have to ensure that we can get everything the customer wants in their dock installed properly and safely.” Don sees trends in their market as consumers are getting away from smaller boats. Where he used to sell more of the 6600 pound HydroHoist lifts, in the last few years 8800 has become a more common size. Additionally, he has installed three 22,000 pound lifts this year. With his towing business keeping him tied up 24/7 year-round, he doesn’t have much time for hobbies, but is enjoying his first grandson – born two months ago. “We service 1200 people that have a membership with our tow service, so it is a good data base of people that lead over into the boat lift sales.”
FAQs
How did DCH Marine become a HydroHoist dealer?
Don, the owner, began by servicing existing HydroHoist lifts and quickly earned a reputation for reliability. His success led to full dealership status, allowing him to offer sales and full service to local customers.
What makes DCH Marine stand out as a boat lift dealer?
Their responsiveness, local reputation, and technical expertise in handling complex installs set them apart. Don’s team provides fast service and customized solutions for a wide range of lift needs.
What kinds of challenges does DCH Marine handle in lift installations?
They often deal with difficult layouts such as wide slips, underwater trusses, and structural obstacles, ensuring each lift is installed correctly and safely regardless of dock configuration.
How has the boat lift market changed in DCH Marine’s area?
Consumers are moving toward larger boats, requiring bigger lifts. Where 6,600 lb lifts were once common, 8,800 lb models and even 22,000 lb units are now in higher demand.
