Perkins Marine

Scott was super helpful and extremely accommodative letting me keep my boat at a slip last minute. Gave me a discount and even gave me two free Gatorade’s with my gas purchase.

A couple of weeks ago I had put my new boat in at the Essex public landing. Just as we reached Conomo point the boat stalled and we couldn't get it started. A charter fisherman was kind enough to give us a tow all the way down the river, and he was clearly going out of his way. He dropped us at the first ramp, which was Perkins. I didn't want to ask him to take us all the way to the town ramp, as he had already gone out of his way. We didn't have any power, and had to jump into the water to get the boat from the dock to the ramp. I waited for everyone to go ahead of us so that we didn't hold anyone up and we loaded the boat and left. Yesterday I received the following nasty note: Hi Michele, I’m Scott DeWitt, owner of Perkins Marine. I viewed over our cameras (that are running 24/7), and noticed that you pulled your boat out this evening without paying the $30 after hour ramp fee. There is a sign at the entrance that says the lot is closed and open only to season pass holders. I would appreciate if you would pay that fee considering it took an ample amount of time to pull your boat, when season ramp pass holders were waiting to also take their boat out. They pay for the convenience of not having to deal with the town ramp crowds. At the end of the day, they are my costumer not you. It’s private property and not a free range ramp to use when you feel necessary. If you have any questions feel free to come see me at the marina I replied apologetically, explaining the situation, that it was an emergency. He responded, and insisted that I pay the fee, which I hadn't even known existed. Really poor business practice: I had been considering keeping my boat there, but this kind of money-grubbing attitude really turns me off.