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| FEATURED IN ON THE WATER MAGAZINE |
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HERE IS THE ARTICLE IF YOU MISSED IT!!!
Uplifting
Oshkosh Equipments new barge is saving the backs of boat owners throughout the Lake Winnebago system.
By Rick Berg
Weighing in at about six tons and measuring 36 feet long, the Oshkosh Equipment barge might look like a clunker, but it skims across the waters of Lake Winnebago like a pleasure boat. Its all work, though, as the barge eases into a shallow bay next to a boat lift. Co-owner Randy Passow expertly guides the barge to a stop and anchors it with two iron posts on the back of the barge, then extends the boom on the barges crane while his partner, Jim Chase, climbs aboard the boat lift and attaches straps to each corner of the lift. Within minutes, the crane has raised the boat lift from the muck and set it aboard the barges deck. A few more minutes and the barge has eased into the shore and the crane deposits the lift gently on the shore, safe for the winter.
As someone who has muscled his share of docks and boat lifts from the water each fall, the observer thinks to himself, It cant possibly be that easy, but it is. In a matter of a couple of hours, Passow and Chase motor around Lake Winnebago and relocate three large boat lifts, return to shore and trailer their massive barge, a good days work accomplished.
Passow and Chase have owned Oshkosh Equipment since 2001, but they just started their pioneering boat lift and dock business last year after acquiring the custom-made barge from its previous owner in northern Wisconsin. Last fall was their maiden voyage, and word of mouth brought them more than 100 customers on the first go-round boat owners who are only to happy to escape the back-breaking work of bringing their boat lifts to shore.
The response has been very good right off the bat. People are really happy to have us doing the work rather than breaking their backs doing it themselves, says Passow. One of the biggest issues is people get these bigger boats and then they have the big boat lifts and theyre trying to get them out of the water themselves, grunting and groaning to get the boat lifts over the shoreline. For a small fee well come out and get it up there without struggle and with no risk of damage to the lifts from dragging it over the rocks and most important with no risk of injury to people. This barge does a nice job of picking the lift up and setting it on shore without having to drag it over the rocks. And the cost is not high. For $225 for an average-size boat lift well put it in the water in the spring and take it out in the fall. For that amount of money its not worth risking your back and the backs of your friends and family.
Oshkosh Equipments main business is heavy-equipment sales and service. Passow and Chase specialize in reconditioning and selling generators, trucks, fork lifts, diesel engines and other heavy equipment for their industrial and construction clients, including some in South America, Africa and other areas outside the U.S. The idea to expand into the boat lift and dock business came about naturally enough, however.
We both grew up on the lake and have been around boats and docks all our lives, says Chase, and we both have property on the lakes, so we knew there was a need for this kind of service. When the opportunity came to get into it, we jumped on it.
They started by buying Steves Docks from then-owner Steve Busco, who now heads Oshkosh Equipments boat lift and dock crews. The company sells and installs new and used docks and boat lifts, but Passow and Chase knew there was already a substantial population of home owners on the lakes and rivers of Northeast Wisconsin who already had docks and lifts that needed service. Their survey discovered about 8,000 homes on the Lake Winnebago system, which includes Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Poygan and Lake Winneconne, as well as portions of the Wolf and Fox rivers. The barge they acquired helps serve that population.
The boat lift and dock business also fits in well with Oshkosh Equipments seasonal work load.
In the wintertime were very busy in the shop reconditioning equipment, says Passow, but we have a slightly slower season in the summer. We have seven employees year-round, so we have them available to do the dock and boat lift work. Theyre not seasonal employees we hire on just to do this work, so they know what theyre doing. Plus, we have Steve Busco, whos very experienced in this business, having done it for about 20 years. So our customers know that if they need service and call us, well be here. Were not off in Florida. Just the other day one of our customers called us and the ice shove was getting up pretty close to their boat lift, so we were able to go out there and move it for them with no problem.
For an inaugural season, 2006 was a good one for Oshkosh Equipments boat lift and dock business, but Chase and Passow say their plans are much bigger.
The customers we had last year came mostly from word of mouth, says Chase, but were planning on doing more advertising and promotion this year to get the word out to more people.
With those 8,000 home owners in Oshkosh Equipments current service area, theres plenty of room for expansion just in servicing boat lifts and docks, but Chase and Passow say theyre also planning to sell and service track and rail systems, as well as personal watercraft lifts, and they may expand their service area to include other lakes and rivers nearby.
In the meantime, theyre focused on meeting the need thats already there.
It went really well the first year, says Passow. Everyone seemed real happy to have the service available. Our goal is simply to provide the best service we can, and we guarantee satisfaction. If its not right, well come back out and make it right.
For more information, visit Oshkosh Equipments website at www.oshkoshequipment.com/docks.
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| Here we are. Ready to serve you!!!! |
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CALL 920-231-1188 |
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| QUALITY DEPENDABLE SERVICE |
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We specialize in installing and removing your shoreline equipment. You no longer need to risk injury of yourself or friends and family. Let our professionals do the work using equipment specially designed to do the job.
just sit back and enjoy the short summer months. |
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| A NEED FOR SERVICE |
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As long time residents of the Lake Winnebago chain, Randy Passow and Jim Chase (Owners of Oshkosh Equipment) have spent countless hours boating, swiming skiing and enjoying the bountiful recreational waterways in the area.
Along with the fun came the seasonal work of installing and removing the family docks and boat lifts as the seasons changed. As time progressed, the boats got larger and therefore the boat lifts became larger, heavier and harder to move across the rocky shoreline. The job became more than a father / son afternoon project and the possibility of injury became a problem. More manpower was needed and it became a an issue of having to ask family and friends to come to help.
The need for a dependable, economical dock and lift service was realized and Oshkosh Equipment was ready for the challenge.
With full time year 'round employees and the correct equipment, OES can provide a quality, economical and dependable service to a large area.
GIVE US A CALL!!!
WE WILL BE THERE!!!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU AND WISH YOU A PLEASANT, ENJOYABLE SUMMER SEASON..... |
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Oshkosh
Equipment Sales, LLC
3664 Nekimi Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Phone: 920-231-1188
Toll Free: 800-231-5677
Fax: 920-231-1399
docks@oshkoshequipment.com |
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