The boat industry has seen some big changes over the last several years. Large corporations have purchased many different boat manufacturers and consolidated them under a corporate umbrella. Privately owned boat builders have looked for ways to compete with the large corporations looking to take market share. The same has happened with boat dealerships, as large corporations moved their boat lines to dealers and dictate how their boats will be powered and rigged out. Many of the independently owned boat manufacturers have found that their best means of competing against the big boys is to team up with locally owned dealerships that can offer personalized service throughout the buying and more importantly the owning process. Once the purchase is made the local dealer enhances the brand name of the boat by providing great service with knowledgeable local owners and employees.
Key West Boats and Butler Marine recognized this type of relationship over _5 years in the Beaufort Area. Butler Marine owner, Chris Butler, is from Beaufort and as a business owner, understands that Beaufort, much like Charleston is a small market and that repeat business is the only way an independently owned boat dealership can survive in this size market. Unlike big markets you cannot survive on selling new boats to new customers with very little follow up. Word travels fast in small markets and if you do not treat people well and support them in their purchase, you will not be successful. Chris and his staff realize this and have built a great reputation in the Beaufort area of making sure they treat their customers just like family.
Recently the opportunity to move into the Charleston Market became available to Chris and the team at Butler Marine. Key West knew that Butler Marine had represented their product very well in the Beaufort area and knew that they could expect the same in the Charleston Market. The new store is located on the corner of Main Rd. and Savannah Highway (Highway 17 South). Butler Marine of Charleston also ca