As a snowbird in Tarpon Springs, FL from Wisconsin; I decided to visit the Hutchin's Com-Pac factory in Clearwater. After a quick e-mail I was invited to just drop in anytime. Yesterday, I did just that. Imagine my surprise to be greeted by one of the owners who quickly asked his son to give me a tour. Two owners (brothers), and three son's (cousins) all busy making boats with four other workers (three production workers and one office person). I was shown the construction area, the woodshop, the machine shop and the storage areas. I saw the new "launch" as well as sailboats in production.
What fun and a good education. This family business is poised to move on to the third generation of boat builders. Good luck to all of them. To celebrate my visit I bought a cap which I will proudly wear on Green Bay this summer.
Suggest everyone in the area visit the plant and get treated like royalty. Thank you Hutchins.
Gerry
WyattC (CP16 #1330)
Gerry:
That sounds like a good, fun deal. My wife and I are down here in Davenport, FL for a bit and expect to do the same soon.
Elk River
I had the pleasure of enjoying the hospitality of the Hutchins brothers when I spent the day visiting their boatyard while doing research for my Good Old Boat article (Jan-Feb 2005) on the brand. In fact, I started contributing to this website when the folks here so generously helped with that same research. In today's age of shabby merchandise and questionable business practices, it is a true pleasure to be able to give a shout out for true American entrepreneurs, solid craftsmanship and a quality product.
A copy of that article is available on this forum, (Sail and Boat Related Articles), "Hutchins Company Profile", June 14, 2014.
You might have seen my boat in production...Horizon Day Cat, white hull. I think it may be close to done.
Rob
While I visited, one of the cousins was polishing to chrome on the port hole.
Quote from: Gerry on February 09, 2015, 07:54:45 AM
While I visited, one of the cousins was polishing to chrome on the port hole.
On my boat? ;)
Rpb
Thanks for the tip. I live close, might have to check it out.
I also visited the shop last week to pick up a part for my SunCat. Gerry had left it on the front desk with a receipt with my name on it.
Although I didn't take the time to visit the production facility I could look right through the door, and see a large white Horizon DayCat being finished up.
Gerry was very nice when I had a few minutes to chat with him.
Ron