The business also sells the wood for the boats on the national market. They are in the process of building a 32-foot catamaran that has a fiberglass hull that will be covered with wood. Along with expansion in the Gaylord market, Sunburst Marine is also forging into new waters in Boyne City. The marine will open next spring. Downtime has been minimal the last two years because of mild winters in northern Michigan, Greif said.
Customers continue to come in to buy clothing and footwear, accessories and gadgets and crafts.
I don't see how a boat store this size could ever operate six months out of the year or eight months out of the year. We would fall way behind. The same is also true for Forcier's other business. Force Energy has 450 oil and gas wells drilled in northern Michigan, Forcier said. Along with the marine business, he also has moved to diversify his interests into leasing commercial and industrial buildings.