Avalon Marine Center in Avalon offers boat maintenance year-round in preparation for smooth sailing in the summer.
The marina opened in May after Phil Risko purchased Avalon Pointe Marina at the end of Old Avalon Boulevard, which had been a full-service marina since the mid-1960s. He hired Paul Hoffman to be his general manager.
"I've been around boats all my life," Hoffman said. "I had my first boat when I was 6." The boat, he said, was a small rowboat, and it piqued his interest in working with boats.
"I chose this profession early," he said.
Hoffman, who lives in Dennis Township and grew up in Cape May Court House, said he has more than 30 years of experience in marina management.
"Now my son is following in my footsteps," he said.
His 22-year-old son, Aaron Hoffman, is also on the staff at Avalon Marine.
The full-service marina offers storage in boat racks or on land, repairs by certified mechanics, a ship store and a parts department, and it has just added boat sales to its repertoire.
United Yacht Sales is the marina's in-house brokerage firm, and Hoffman said the center will serve as the southern New Jersey dealer for Pursuit brand boats. Pontoon boats, which Hoffman said are popular in the back bay area, will also be sold on premises.
Now and through most of the fall, the marina's main business will come from winterizing boats, he said.
"It looks like we'll have a busy winter," Hoffman surmised.
Read more at http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/freetime/outdoors/15589-boat-care-is-a-year-round-undertaking-at-avalon-marine.html
