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Just thinking about loading up the family and heading out in the boat
for a day of fishing, skiing or just plain relaxing can put a sparkle in the
eye and a smile on the face of many a boating enthusiast.

It's that look the makes selling boats fun for owners Doug and Shelly Root.

"When you sell a boat to a consumer especially if it's a whole family there's just an excitement.
They get all fired up and you can see it in their faces," Doug explains.
The Roots brought out Anchor Marine (Doug's prior employer since 1987) in April 1991.
Since then, they've carried everything from boats and motors to water trampolines and ice shacks.

Not only do they have a large selection of fishing, sport and pontoon boats, they service what they sell.
This time of year, the staff is busy preparing boats for winter. Doug says it is an essential part of putting your boat away for the season, and the process can be as much or as little work as one wants it to be.

"We can pick your boat up and do it all, or we can tell you what needs to be done,” he says.
While fishing boats make up the bulk of sales, Doug reports an increase in pontoons over the last few years. He says the heightened popularity has to do with the boats themselves being nicer. "They used to be just a piece of plywood with barrels tied under it. They've come a long way," he says. But, he speculates, it also has to do with family entertainment. Baby boomers get together with their children and grandchildren and maybe even their own elderly parents, who may not be able to get into a regular boat.

"When you go to the lake and somebody has to stay on shore, they aren't having any fun," Doug Says.
Many consumers use a pontoon as a home base for outings at the lake, making a floating island of sorts; ski boats can come and go from the pontoon, and folks from every generation can relax and enjoy being on the water. Some families’ even fire up a grill aboard their pontoons. And family is what it is all about.

"We're selling the family experience. There isn't any other sport that I know of that you can do with an entire family other than boating," Doug says.

Not only does Doug's Anchor Marine cater to families, the Root family works together as a family. Son Ryan does rigging for the company. Sons Dominic and Dylan have also lent a hand in the past The couple credit the operation's growth and success with the service their crew provides.

"Where has made (this business) successful is our dedication to service," Doug says, adding their certified technicians are schooled each year to keep up with the latest innovations in the industry. Treating customers fairly, honestly and with respect has also been key to building a loyal clientele, Doug says.

Shelly agrees and recalls the days when the building has holes in the walls, saying it's been fun to watch it grow into the showroom and shop of today.

The Root family looks forward to many more years of success.