Rt. 113 Boat Sales celebrates 20 years with million dollar sale
Selbyville-based Rt. 113 Boat Sales opened 20 years ago April 1, and owners Capt. Glen and Karen Smith celebrated in style with the sale of the company’s first million-dollar boat.
It was a 43-foot Pursuit, with four 425-horsepower Yamaha motors on the back, that had a price tag of well over $1 million, said Glen. It’s a far cry from the first boat the company sold for $15,500, he said.
After working for the same Chicago-based information technology company, the Smiths fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved to the beach in June 2001. After about 18 months, Glen said, the couple realized they were way too young to stop working and started looking for something to do that would allow them to remain at the beach.
“Nothing felt like the correct choice for either of us. Being an avid boater with experience dating back to my childhood years, I thought having a small new boat and motor dealership would be fun and something we would love to do,” said Glen. “We purchased a small commercial building on Route 113 just a few feet north of the Maryland/Delaware line, renovated it ourselves and took the leap of faith and purchased our first 12 boats. We were terrified.”
Glen said the plan was for him and Karen to run the business until both their children finished high school. After that, he said, it was going to be another attempt at retirement. Those plans changed when, somewhere near the age of 16, their son Zak expressed interest in taking over the business.
Glen said he and Karen didn’t think it would stick, but they told him if he wanted the opportunity to take over, he would have to learn and master every aspect of the business from the ground up.
It did stick, and after years of learning the ins and outs – sweeping, bottom painting, technician training – Zak took over as general manager.
“[Karen] and I did not expect this to last, but Zak proved us wrong,” said Glen, pointing to Zak’s Master Technician Certification from Yamaha, which he earned in June 2021. “What an accomplishment. We are very proud.”
It’s not just new boats; Rt. 113 Boat Sales is also a full-service new boat and motor dealership.
“We do it all related to our industry,” said Glen.
For more information on Rt. 113 Boat Sales, 52 Cemetery Road, Selbyville, call 302-436-1737, go to rt113boatsales.net or email captain_glen@rt113boatsales.net.
