His boats also are sold by dealers in Portland, Eugene, Ore., and Boise. Most of his competitors are in Lewiston, Idaho, although Wind River Jet Boats, which also makes aluminum recreational boats, is based in east Pasco. Whitten attributes his success to a quality product and to keeping customers and workers happy. Northwest Jet Boats are billed as versatile and durable. The aluminum hull fares better on rocky beaches than a fiberglass hull and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Price depends on the size and the number of gadgets.
The plan is to catch up, then make several floor models to sell at this winter's round of boat shows. Call it growing pains. Whitten said he picked up the customer service standards from his father, who owned Walt's Exxon station in Richland and expected his attendants to run when a car pulled in, washing every bug off the windshield. Every person out there is selling boats for us. As long as we take care of them, they take care of us.