To most people, the Jersey Shore is known as a trendy, shopping and dining paradise with relaxing beaches and where every need can be met. To performance boaters, however, the “shore,” especially along Barneget Bay and the adjoining Atlantic Ocean, is a high-performance boating epicenter where enthusiasts can enjoy a day (or days) running full throttle and visiting the many shore side attractions.
Nearby, within the Barnegat Bay region, is Trenton Marine Center of Toms River, a full service marine facility catering to the east coast go-fast crowd launched by long-time performance expert Jerry Tipton. The new location, an expansion of the original Trenton Marine Center in Trenton, NJ, was developed by Tipton and his team in efforts to be closer to his clientele and create a stronger performance boating foot print for local enthusiasts.
Poker Runs America magazine made a recent trip to Trenton Marine Center of Toms River, meeting with Tipton and Dennis Kelliher to see all the new developments. Needless to say, it’s quite the facility.
Located on eight acres, with plenty of real estate to expand, the Toms River location is an expansive one-stop-shop where many marine needs can be met.
With a number one mandate of service and reaching out effectively to their customers, both Tipton and Kelliher have left no stone unturned.
While the original Trenton Marine Center is a dry facility featuring a new service center and boat sales (that’s also considered the headquarters of operations), the Toms River location is a “wet” facility that is currently in the works of implementing up to 200 slips. What’s more, the fully-equipped service center employs Mercury-certified mechanics and whether the order of the day is a rebuild of a Number 6 Dry Sump Six or completing routine engine maintenance, the task at hand will be completed to the utmost efficiency.
Being a full-service shop, the facility can service motor yachts or offshore boats, and there isn’t a engine or outdrive that they can’t repair.
Add the fully-stocked parts department supplied from all the leading manufacturers such as IMCO, Latham Marine, Dart Machine, Holley Carburetors, Crane Cams, to name but a few, and that blown piston, broken drive, or split gasket can be replaced without hassle.
While walking the grounds, it’s apparent both Tipton and Kelliher are at the top of their game. Two travel lifts – a 35-ton and a 55-ton – stand promptly at the water’s edge. They are ready at a moment’s notice for transport when it comes to the many marine services the facility offers. Seasonal haul outs and launching, bottom and topside painting, hydrowashing, general repair, and surveying, are common duties offered by its expert staff. Exterior and interior boat storage is another advantage to Trenton Marine of Toms River and many programs are in place to include annual, summer, winter, and exterior storage options. Choose one that bests suits your needs.
To raise the bar a little higher – while recognizing the recent trends among consumers who are retrofitting existing models – Tipton set a course of creativity to meet a customer’s needs. With an expertly staffed upholstery shop to refurbish cockpits, cabins, seating arrangements, a retrofit – inside or out – can be redone to owner’s specifications, style and needs.
The rigging of new throttling systems, gauges, electronics, even entirely new helm designs are all done entirely in-house without the boat leaving the grounds. To add that extra touch – and perhaps change up the 1980s hot pink and teal graphics – boat graphics and detailing services are even available on site.
A true extension of the Trenton, NJ, facility, Toms River also encompasses a 6,000 square-foot showroom offering new and pre-owned boat sales. According to Tipton, all pre-owned boats – both recreational and performance – are fully maintained, serviced and in many cases, once owned by existing customers, which simply ensures that the models have been properly serviced and fined tuned by professional experts.
They offer a range of motor yachts, day cruisers and a great selection of offshore boats. As a matter of fact, Tipton was one of the largest Formula dealers and also sold countless of Wellcraft Scarabs and Fountain powerboats. He not only sells boats, but he runs them as well as a hobby. In fact, he has been seen several times on Sarasota Bay with his Outerlimits enjoying poker run events.
Boaters don’t have to travel to inspect its current inventory, take a quick visit to its website (www.trentonmarine.com) to gain all details of models available.
In speaking with Tipton, there’s more happening down the road at the facility. There’s more dockage, even a swimming pool area and designated barbecue area for boaters to relax at after a day of boating.
With the performance season well underway and recent reports of strong attendance at many offshore performance events on the East Coast and beyond, Trenton Marine at Toms River is that one-stop service depot that can meet every need after that long day on the water or for the following months of the 2015 power season.
For more details visit Trenton Marine Center of Toms River at www.trentonmarine.com or call (609) 392-7275
