Boat dealer John Crawford Marine celebrates half-century
Queensland used trailer boat sales specialist John Crawford Marine celebrates 50 years in the boating industry this year, born of a love of “messing about on boats” and a bayside yard on the Wynnum Esplanade in Brisbane.
From these humble beginnings in 1964, John Crawford Marine has grown into one of Queensland’s best-known brands for buying, consigning and selling used trailerboats.
And the formula must be working, with one of John Crawford Marine’s first customers returning to buy another boat, 50 years after purchasing his first one from John Crawford Marine.
John Crawford Marine owner and managing director Matthew Hodson said: “It’s wonderful to see people come back after 50 years or so, when they want to size down or up-size.”
“We have customers who come from the Northern Territory and Western Australia – all over. It’s amazing that someone on the other side of the country has the trust and the faith in what you do to travel so far.”
Browse John Crawford Marine's used trailer boats for sale
John Crawford Marine has also created a valuable trailer-sailer reference library, based on information gathered by the dealership and customers over the past 50 years, with digitally-reworked marketing brochures, boat tests, reviews and more.
Hodson painstakingly catalogued the Queensland history of trailerable yachts, after discovering a treasure trove of information buried.
“The library is available on PDF and on our website as a free resource,” he said.
“With our website and the knowledge of our staff, the story is that we like to invite people into the world of boating.”
See this video celebrating John Crawford Marine's 50th anniversary in the marine business.
Besides buying and selling used trailerboats, John Crawford Marine staff members are regulars at boating and lifestyle shows, offering free advice and valuations, plus info on insurance and theft deterrents, safety, and the environment.
Go to johncrawfordmarine.com.au for more information.