BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
There is only one true way to fully appreciate the open waters, and that?s in a Legend boat.
 |
The success of Legend boats started with a dream and a hard-working family in Whitefish. |
Fully assembled in Whitefish from the finest materials on the market, Legend Boats have lived up to their name thanks to dealership commitment, unsurpassed warranties, and most importantly, family ownership.
Twenty years ago, Vic Duhamel and Carl Dewar, who opened Duhamel and Dewar Inc. in 1969, envisioned a simple way to produce top quality boats and an effective way to market them to a vast majority of people and service them. The result: A company that has sprung loose all across Canada with Legend Boat dealers in almost every nook and cranny in the country.
And the ?legend? is growing even bigger.
Recently, Duhamel and Dewar hosted its annual dealer meeting and celebrated the 20th year anniversary of custom aluminum boat package
offerings across Canada.
Over 30 dealers, from as far away as Chilliwack, B.C., descended on Whitefish for the world-class event. There was even numerous prospective
dealers in attendance, soaking up the Legend experience first-hand.
For three days, Legend dealers were treated to product information sessions, training and boat testing on water.
Jim Edwards, from Chilliwack, has been a Legend dealer since 1999. There hasn?t been one day that Edwards has regretted joining the Legend team.
?They have a very unique style of merchandising that customers have accepted whole-heartedly,? said Edwards. ?The thing that makes it really go is the fully priced brochure. The customer can always see the price of any boat. There are no gimmicks. The boats are on sale 12 months a year.
Legend?s purchasing power allows them to offer lower priced boats than the competition.?
Legend boats are backed by some of the best warranties such as a leak proof-for-life warranty on the ultra-thick, industry-leading100-gauge Rhino hull used on two models and lifetime warranty on pontoon boat tubes, decking and transom.
These warranties ensure year after year of hassle-free boating pleasure.
Edwards has yet to have a customer use the worry-free warranties.
?Our rate of warranty on the hull is non-existent,? said Edwards. ?We haven?t had one claim yet in the six years I have been selling the Legend boats. That shows you these are boats to believe in. I have been in the marine business for 45 years, and the Legend boats are, by far, the finest brand I have ever sold.?
The dealer meeting also gives a chance for Greater Sudbury to showcase itself to the rest of Canada.
Wayne Gordon, a dealer from Kingston, has been a Legend dealer since 1995. The annual meetings have changed his perspective of the mining town.
?Initially, the first time I came up, I thought I was coming to the end of the world because you hear people talk about the fact Sudbury had no trees, it
was a mining town and NASA did moon-landing testing here once,? said Gordon. ?As I got to know it, I gained a better appreciation of the town because it was very modern and the people were very friendly.?
Vic Duhamel is pleased Legend boats have been such a positive experience for dealers and every customer.
?We?re proud of our product,? said Duhamel. ?People want a simple way of buying, and they want to buy it from someone who will service it and stand behind it. We do. The staff has made this company grow.?
With sales in excess of $25 million, Duhamel and Dewar will continue to grow, especially with family rooted very deep in the business.
?The Lord has blessed Carl and I with good families, good customers and good fortunes,? said Duhamel. ?We have been looked at to be bought by big
conglomerates. With our family, it?s not for sale. We want to keep it and grow it even bigger.?
