Sundance was recently pleased to receive recognition for being in the top 1% of businesses searched for on Google. We received a nifty window sticker and a letter describing our unique accomplishment from the search giant.
Thank you to all of our thousands of web site visitors who searched for the keywords "yachts", "boats", "marinas", or "dry storage" in Oregon or Washington and helped make this happen!
The Marshall family is still building Navigators and Californians in the U.S.
Why would a boat builder deliberately choose to build boats in the United States when conventional wisdom says it’s less expensive to make them in Asia?
An even more interesting question is, having decided to build in the U.S., why choose a jurisdiction that has, arguably, the most stringent air quality controls in North America?
If you’re the Marshall family, builder of Navigators and Californians, the answer to both questions is easy. “We can build boats efficiently in the U.S. and sell them at prices less than the imports,” Gil Marshall said.
The family-owned manufacturing plant is located in Perris, CA. “We’re in the Southern California Air Quality Management District,” Marshall said. “We’ve been building boats on the West Coast for half a century now, and we didn’t want to pull up stakes like a lot of other manufacturers. Also, our family and all of our employees have roots in the area.”
About 10 years ago, the company decided to invest about $750,000 in Thermal Oxidizer Technology. Basically, this technology decomposes hazardous gases at a high temperature and releases them into the atmosphere, ultimately controlling air pollution.
“While the ongoing operational expense of such a system is not insignificant, it’s manageable and as an industrial builder we are proud to be able to produce in a green way,” Marshall said.
With 10 years of “green” building under their belt, they would do the same thing all over again. “We made the right decision at the time and it continues to be the right decision to this day,” Marshall said.
Marshall’s father, Jule, began building boats in the 1950s and eventually Californians by the 1960s. Both Gil and his brother, Steve, began working in the family business right after high school. Within a decade the builder expanded its line of trawlers and long range cruisers from 30 to 52 feet.
In 1982, Wellcraft purchased the company and the line was updated. Marshall repurchased the company in 1987 and sold it again the same year, this time to Carver, which moved production to North Carolina. In 1991, Genmar Industries purchased Carver and stopped making Californians.
After the Californian name was sold in the late 1990s, Jule continued (along with his sons) to build under the Navigator name and reacquired the rights to the Californian name. This is when they began building Californians in the Navigator plant.
By the late 1990s, the builder was producing about 60 boats a year with an employee base of about 200. By 2006, as the economy started its downturn, production dropped to about 40 boats a year; now the company turns out about 25 boats a year with an employee base of 40.
Gil Marshall said the family is going to continue to focus on the production of boats tailored to the West Coast. “We’ve been a West Coast builder of West Coast boats and we’re going to continue along those lines,” he said.
“Our new Californian 55 LRC has been tested independently, and we compared the results of that test to the test of another similar-sized boat with twin engines producing much more power. Our boat, with a single engine, was 5 miles per hour faster than the other vessel at wide-open throttle. At cruising speed, between 10 and 11 mph, our 55 burned three gallons per hour less.
“What we have in our new 55 LRC is an American-designed boat, built by Americans in the U.S., that performs at least as well as an import, made in a green factory and that costs about $500,000 less. The more expensive boat is a good boat, in fact a great boat, but we figure ours offers better value for the money and a U.S. buyer can easily reach us if there’s a problem,” Marshall said.
In response to current market conditions, the company has just launched its new Californian 33. “This new 33-footer is powered by twin diesels giving a top speed of 28 mph. At 20 mph the vessel gets 1.5 miles per gallon. It comfortably sleeps four and will sell for less than $200,000.
“We are confident the marine industry will recover, but it won’t be the same as it has been in the recent past. New buyers will be looking for value and for products that are made taking the environment into account,” Marshall said.
The Navigator line of fine yachts are certainly not new, especially to boaters in the Pacific Northwest who take their extended offshore cruising seriously. What is new is this strikingly good-looking Navigator 62 Motor Yacht recently launched out of this highly respected Southern California builder’s yard. Located in Perris, not far from the Pacific Ocean, the Marshall family has been building these fine offshore cruising vessels for over 20 years and in that time they have delivered over 1000 boats. The simple fact that they’ve been in business that long and have successfully delivered this many boats are certainly excellent reasons to give the new 62 a closer look. The really amazing part of this story is the fact that even in this somewhat depressed selling climate amazingly enough the Navigator 62 continues to sell like hotcakes. In December alone Sundance sold two of these magnificent vessels and now has buyers with checks waiting for the next boat.
Like the vessels preceding the Navigator 62, the main premise from this yard is a simple one: value. While other builders will tend to overuse that word, the Marshall family backs it up by delivering a quality product assembled by skilled craftsman using very high quality materials. The other side of this remarkable equation is the design and build process that allows a vessel of this size to be easily maintained by the owners should they choose this option. The basic philosophy here is that the Navigator 62 is a vessel that has been built to be cruised extensively anywhere the owners want to go in pretty much just about any conditions. This is not a boat that needs to be pampered and kept in the yard for long periods of maintenance and upkeep. The systems are simple, well-designed, easily accessed and therefore easy to maintain.
Naturally the heart of any long range cruiser is the power plant and the Navigator 62 certainly doesn’t disappoint. The standard engines are a pair of very robust and fuel efficient Volvo-Penta D12’s rated at 715 HP at 2300 RPM. You should also remember that the Navigator Yachts hull shape was designed with one thing in mind: make the best use of a minimum amount of fuel and horsepower, and retain the maximum amount of boat speed and efficiency. In doing so, Navigator created a wide hull shape that is stable at rest and at displacement speed, while achieving 30% less wetted running surface when on a plane. The result is a hull with much less drag, a significantly smoother ride, and far better fuel economy. As an example, at 1,000RPM’s you can cruise at a leisurely 8.6 knots burning a miserly 6 gph for 1611 miles. That’s Seattle to Ketchikan and back with a safe, comfortable fuel reserve margin. Plus if you’re going to make that trip you’d really like to have the speed to outrun approaching storm systems or make the tidal gate at Seymour Narrows. Just push the throttle down and the 62 will surge quickly and confidently to 24.4 knots.
Then there’s a very long list of items we could go into however the best thing to do is to call Sundance and make an appointment to tour the Navigator 62 at the Big Seattle Boat Show and immerse you in true luxury. You won’t be disappointed and your wife will be thrilled.
For over three decades, Sundance has served Northwest boaters with a commitment to excellent quality and value. With offices in Portland, Seattle, and Everett, Sundance is the World's largest Navigator and Californian Yachts dealer.
Our complete sales, service, dry boat storage and wet marina facilities provide “turn-key” convenience for every customer. Serving the marine industry since 1972, Sundance enjoys the advantage of having one of the most experienced work forces in the business. You can be sure Sundance will always be there to provide first rate service and support!
Full Service Yacht and Boat Dealer
Sundance is a full service yacht and boat dealership with sales, service, finance, dry storage, covered marina, wet marina, and more. We consider all trades including cars, trucks, RVs, and motorcycles!
Sales & Finance
Our sales department is staffed by knowledgeable, experienced boaters who are here to help you find your perfect vessel. Our in house finance department will make sure the purchasing process is quick and pain free, and will ensure that your finance package is right for you and your budget.
Service
We employ highly trained service technicians who can tackle virtually any marine service task. Our travel lift is capable of lifting 70+ foot boats out of the water.
Marinas
Sundance has the storage solution for your boat in the Portland area.
Our dry storage in Portlandis a state-of-the-art facility that protects your boat from the elements. No more sun, rain, or wind damage. No more winterization. No more unsightly algae-covered hull.
Our covered marina in Portlandis the ideal solution for the larger yacht. Our 40-60 foot slips are covered on three sides with large overhangs for maximum protection, and all slips include a large private storage loft.
Our brand new marina clubis available to all moorage tenants and includes a pool, spa, fitness center, lounge, lockers, showers and more.
Come by today to see our extensive line of new and used yachts. Take a tour of our facilities. Let us take care of your yachting needs - we make it easy and fun!
The new Californian 55 Long Range Cruiser (LRC) is an unusual vessel. Unlike many other current offerings in the market segment it’s designed and built in the United States.
The first Californians, built by California’s Marshall Boat Co., splashed down in 1972 and within a decade the company expanded its line of trawlers and long-range cruisers from 30 to 52 feet. In 1982, the company was purchased by Wellcraft, which made the decision to update the line. Marshall repurchased the company in 1987 and, that same year, sold it again, this time to Carver, which moved production to North Carolina. In 1991,Genmar Industries purchased Carver and stopped making Californians. In the late 1990s, Jule Marshall, the original owner, who continued to build yachts under the Navigator marquees, reacquired the rights to the Californian name and began once again to build Californians at his plant in Perris, California.
The new 55-footer features a nice, crisp design with hull windows providing light to the master stateroom. The straight sheer line adds to the modern look of the entire exterior and large windows, including forward deck hatches, flood the interior with natural light. Entry to the vessel is via the well positioned swim step and through a transom door into a large, uncluttered cockpit. Useful cockpit space is gained primarily because there is no access to the salon roof or the command bridge from the cockpit, thus doing away with the usual cockpit ladder. Access to these areas is via a set of interior steps to the aft of the pilothouse.
Sidedecks and stainless steel handrails allow quick and easy movement between the cockpit and the foredeck. The Portuguese bridge provides a nice touch for out-of-sight stowage of fenders and lines and good protection for the wheelhouse should the vessel take green water over the bow. The molded nonskid pattern in the deck is sharp and provides secure footing.
The exterior glasswork was smooth and fair and showed no signs of print-through. Stanchions and other stainless items were fitted nicely and appeared to be well secured, while all the cleats have aluminum backing plates for additional strength and security.
The hull was designed with a relatively shallow V of 13 degrees at the transom allowing the vessel to plane with less power than similar-size hulls with a sharper V. The full, deep-V hulls have a deadrise of about 22 degrees. The hull has a double chine, which improves dynamic lift while the forward acts as a built-in spray rail.
Sundance has been bank appointed to liquidate dealer foreclosures from all over the United States and Canada. When dealers go out of business or can't make their payments, the bank takes their boats back. These boats are most often brand new, and in perfect condition. This means that we can offer our customers never before seen discounts and pricing that is often below wholesale or dealer cost. This is a rare opportunity that won't last forever!
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With 10 years of “green” building under their belt, they would do the same thing all over again. “We made the right decision at the time and it continues to be the right decision to this day,” Marshall said.
After the Californian name was sold in the late 1990s, Jule continued (along with his sons) to build under the Navigator name and reacquired the rights to the Californian name. This is when they began building Californians in the Navigator plant.
By the late 1990s, the builder was producing about 60 boats a year with an employee base of about 200. By 2006, as the economy started its downturn, production dropped to about 40 boats a year; now the company turns out about 25 boats a year with an employee base of 40.
A History of Success