Picked up my new Pioneer 197 from Brian Welch at the Boat Shed in Georgetown Friday. Had not seen the boat but this is my third Pioneer so no surprises. Brian at the Boat Shed was great to work with. Asked him for a quote on the boat and he emails me a buyers order with the pricing break down immediately. Very refreshing, honest, and straight forward. I priced two other dealers, one in Florida and one in North Carolina, who would commit to a price on the phone. Brian beat both easily and was the closest dealer. Did all paper work and discussions via email and telephone. All went with no issues and the first time I actually put a face with a name was when I picked the boat up. In and out in less than an hour. About as painless a purchase as possible. I’ve spent more time in Lowe’s picking out a dishwasher for the wife than buying this boat.
The next stop was the Pioneer factory to have a couple of options added on. If you don’t know Pioneer Boats, Mike and Roy are brothers who own the company. Walk in and Roy invites me into his office, he’s looking at Yamaha performance number testing on the 197 that was done a couple of weeks ago and prints me out some copies. I back the boat into the factory and Mike is there making sure all is taken car of. Talk with both at length, from boat design to Cobia fishing on the Broad. Roy gives me a tour of the factory, showing me all of the manufacturing steps, the materials used, Quality assurance (Amanda their sister) and some secrets they have in the works.
The guys made me their priority and took care of me. I cant say enough about the boats and the owners. What Owner of a boat manufacturing company comes and hangs out with a customer and oversee a bow cushion and a glove box getting installed. Mike and Roy at Pioneer Boats do.
