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I thought the new management at KBM was going to improve customer service. What I experienced this past Labor Day weekend was a cluster...Had only one guy loading and unloading boats. He was busting his buttt..He was also pumping gas and filling bait orders. You would think they would have extra help on long weekends. After waiting to load out, I finally went to the public boat ramp. Only had one girl working the inside counter and selling fishing license. My experience with KBM was more like a one horse dog and pony show. Not much class! Will use the public boat ramp from now on. Had rather spend my money fixing the boat trailer than with seahag marina..

I'm surprised more people haven't commented on this post..... you would think w/ the EXTREME price increases on hotels and lot rent, etc, the customer service would improve greatly..... I've heard the locals have boycotted the place..

I really miss Jerry and his friendly service.

Don't know the new management but the young lady who works inside can also unload/load a boat as well with the lift. The young man who normally does that job and the lady are extremely nice, hard working folks. I like um and am glad the cost of the lift hasn't gone up.

I'm just thankful I don't have to do that to make a living.

Thats interesting...
we were there a few weeks back and had a great experience.

WE WERE THERE THE SATURDAY BEFORE LABOR DAY, TWO GUY'S RUNING THE LIFT. WE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.I DO HAVE TO SAY THOUGH THAT THE ATMOSPHERE IS NOT THE SAME AS WHEN JERRY AND DONNA WAS RUNING IT. I DON'T SEE HOW CHARLIE CAN PAY HIS LEASE JUST BY LAUNCHING BOATS AND SELLING BAIT. WHEN JERRY HAD IT THE RV SPOTS AND THE MOTEL/COTTAGES STAYED FULL NEARLY 24/7 AND THERE WAS ALWAYS BOATS IN THE STORAGE AREA. THAT'S NOT HAPPENING NOW AND THAT IS A LOT OF LOST INCOME.THE BIG QUESTION IS WHY DID FOLEY LAND AND TIMBER NOT RENEW WITH JERRY, HE HAD A STEADY INCOME AT THE MARINA (RV LOTS AND STORAGE)AND NOW THEY DO NOT.JUST MY 2 CENTS.

From what I've been told, it was Jerry's decision to not renew lease, not Foley Timber. I kept a camper at the marina for a while. Some lots were more than mine, but I did an average and at $250 (what I paid) x 30 RVs is $7500 per month. That covers a lot of overhead. That doesn't even consider the boat storage revenue.

Anyway, I haven't had a good experience sine the new management. It's sad to see it like that. Jerry was so personable and friendly that was part of the attraction of Keaton Beach.... The friendly smile and helpful folks at KBM. I'll always go to KB as absolutely love the area, now, I find myself going to Katie's for what I need and typically catch my own bait.

I have never meet the new owners of the marina, I do know Jerry and still do some business with him at his boat repair,but I can tell you as a property owner at Keaton Beach and the owner of two small business ,which employ 60 people making a profit this day and age for a small business is getting harder and harder each year. I hated to see Jerry go but in talking to him as a business owner I understand what he was up against. Yes the trailer lot and boat storage area were full ,but how many people paid on time or paid at all. How many folks ran in the store and grabbed a 6 pack or a couple of cokes and said put it on my tab while they were busy and might have forgot to write it down and never went back in to pay the tab. As far as rates going up tell I believe the rooms are now $89 a nite and it cost .50 to have your boat at the dock.Tell me where you can go and get a room for two nites and tie up a 21 ft boat and be fishing in 15 minutes.The improvements the Sea Hag folks have made are a big improvement. They have cleaned the place up ,added gas and restocked the store and are creating a first class marina which can only help improve the property values. In my business I have found most customers and employees do not like change and if everybody would read the book" Who moved my cheese : they would understand change. Its a short book and will take about an hour to read. I did not mean to get on my soap box but most of the general public,having never been in business for them selves just do understand what it takes to run a small business

jzimmer wrote:I have never meet the new owners of the marina, I do know Jerry and still do some business with him at his boat repair,but I can tell you as a property owner at Keaton Beach and the owner of two small business ,which employ 60 people making a profit this day and age for a small business is getting harder and harder each year. I hated to see Jerry go but in talking to him as a business owner I understand what he was up against. Yes the trailer lot and boat storage area were full ,but how many people paid on time or paid at all. How many folks ran in the store and grabbed a 6 pack or a couple of cokes and said put it on my tab while they were busy and might have forgot to write it down and never went back in to pay the tab. As far as rates going up tell I believe the rooms are now $89 a nite and it cost .50 to have your boat at the dock.Tell me where you can go and get a room for two nites and tie up a 21 ft boat and be fishing in 15 minutes.The improvements the Sea Hag folks have made are a big improvement. They have cleaned the place up ,added gas and restocked the store and are creating a first class marina which can only help improve the property values. In my business I have found most customers and employees do not like change and if everybody would read the book" Who moved my cheese : they would understand change. Its a short book and will take about an hour to read. I did not mean to get on my soap box but most of the general public,having never been in business for them selves just do understand what it takes to run a small business

Well said! Have never been there myself, so don't know how it was or is now. Most folks have not a clue to what it takes to try and make a living running a business after paying rent, interest , general liability and workmens comp insurance, payroll taxes, maintenance on bldg/equip etc., and then if your lucky enough to have made something to pay 30% of that in income taxes. My guess most of those complaining have signed the back of a check all their lives instead of the front of one! Again, don't know previous owner, but I'm sure if it was worth his while he probably would still be doing it.

I've been using the Marina for around 20 years. I appreciate the service it provides and certainly love the proximity to the water. Loved Jerry and Joel before him, both seamed to understand that the Marina was a base-camp for fishermen. The new managers have done a really nice job of fixing the place up and the younger folks they have working there are trying real hard, just not enough of them to go around when it gets busy. That being said, it's moved beyond my price point, and it appears the same for many others. Last time I called the rooms were now $129 and the cottages $149, that may have been their scallop season prices, but that's $50 above what they used to be. On top of that they now charge an additional fee to dock your boat, $1/ft during scallop season. I can see charging the folks that don't rent a room, but in my opinion it should be part of the room price. So, sorry to say it but I'll be using the public ramp and staying in Perry. That's more than I'm willing to spend for the convenience. Maybe they are targeting a different clientele, but I go there to fish and love to do it enough that the price adds up. I don't expect them to offer anything for free and can appreciate that they are running a business, but it doesn't make much sense to make changes that deter your best customers.

jzimmer wrote:I have never meet the new owners of the marina, I do know Jerry and still do some business with him at his boat repair,but I can tell you as a property owner at Keaton Beach and the owner of two small business ,which employ 60 people making a profit this day and age for a small business is getting harder and harder each year. I hated to see Jerry go but in talking to him as a business owner I understand what he was up against. Yes the trailer lot and boat storage area were full ,but how many people paid on time or paid at all. How many folks ran in the store and grabbed a 6 pack or a couple of cokes and said put it on my tab while they were busy and might have forgot to write it down and never went back in to pay the tab. As far as rates going up tell I believe the rooms are now $89 a nite and it cost .50 to have your boat at the dock.Tell me where you can go and get a room for two nites and tie up a 21 ft boat and be fishing in 15 minutes.The improvements the Sea Hag folks have made are a big improvement. They have cleaned the place up ,added gas and restocked the store and are creating a first class marina which can only help improve the property values. In my business I have found most customers and employees do not like change and if everybody would read the book" Who moved my cheese : they would understand change. Its a short book and will take about an hour to read. I did not mean to get on my soap box but most of the general public,having never been in business for them selves just do understand what it takes to run a small business

Let me assure you of this, I am a business owner and know what it takes to run one and make a profit, and as such, I feel qualified to make the comments. One thing though, preconceived notions as to what people on a message board do or don't do for a living, limits objectivity.

The service at the marina isn't what it was. Price isn't what I have a problem with, it's the lack of service and personal touch. The improvements needed to be done, but my entire point was the service just isn't what it was!!

One thing I truly miss about the marina is that when Jerry and Donna had it you were greeted as if you were and old friend and when you pulled up to the lift if you were a returning customer they had you in there system (boat registration #) and you filed a float plan and they ask when you were returning and if you were not back when you said, they started looking for you or contacted the authorities. I miss that because we fish 25 to 35 miles out. That being said, I am a business owner to, since 1974 and you have to spend money to make money and you have to make a profit to stay in business. BUT the customer is what pay's the bills and a happy customer is a returning customer . The weekend warriors like me are not going to pay the bills, it was the long term customers that payed the rent (RV lots,Storage fees) Sea Hag and Charlie should have worked with what they had instead of raising the price so high that every one left. A bird in hand is worth more than three in the bush. I have been three times since Sea Hag has taken over and have had no problems and the folks seem nice enough, but it is not the same. I suppose my worry is that they may close and I sure don't want to start using the ramp, because my boat is over 27ft and is a b$#@h to get back on the trailer.

Scalawag, just because you put your boat in w/ the lift, doesn't mean the lift will be open to take your boat out. I've put in twice and when I got ready to take the boat out, the lift was closed due to no operator. I had to use the public ramp.... Your time will come....

A similar situation seems to have been happening at Presnell's on PSJ. We have been using it since Mr. Presnell himself was there. It's been through several leases. One particular family I really thought a lot of, (as far as service, price and friendliness,) finally gave it up. Same situation as Keaton, had lots of campers, boats and ramp stayed busy, but in the off season the guy had to work a second job. Caught his bait himself at night etc. Looked like a fun job from the outside but we were drinking beer or sleeping while he was working By the time the lease is paid a lot of profit is GONE. Then, as one guy stated, bills aren't paid on time or at all. Sadly, sometimes the nice folks aren't as good of business people as they could be. One thing for sure, people aren't going to do business with folks very long if they feel they are not in their comfort zone with cost. I know in the past we had a certain amount to spend on a fishing trip. When prices went up we starting cutting cost somewhere so we could keep going. Most fisherman can't afford a Disney World type trip very often. Add high prices and poor service you have a recipe for failure.

I have been going to Keaton and using the marina since 1996 and never had a problem, but you are probably right, my time will come.