"tech"articles format. Many of you will remember me as I have managed Rex Marine and Dana Marine Products for the last 18 years. I bring with me an in depth knowledge of high performance marine hardware, manufacturing, sales and most importantly correct installation of those parts. I currently own
and operate two companies; BJ's Marine and Recycle Performance.
Boating is a true passion that I developed at a very young age. As a youngster I remember working with my Dad on our metal flake blue Tahiti with a 396 Chevy and Berkeley jet. Over the years we regularly visited Lake Nacimiento, Parker, Laughlin, and Lake Mojave. Once I got my drivers license, my friends and I would regular Crazy Horse campgrounds with my Dad's now more conservative Bayliner. We had a lot of great times in Havasu and plenty of unforgettable moments.
At the age of 17, I decided I wanted to buy my first boat. Bussing tables at the local seafood restaurant wasn't going to cut it. I decided to pick up the local Recycler newspaper and go through the boats section. I started making phone calls on boats in the 3000-4000 price range with a trade proposition, their boat for my 1986 Suzuki 250 Quadracer. Low and behold, after two months of calls I had a taker. With some convincing, I towed home my first boat, a 19 foot Hawaiian with a 454 Panther jet combo. A straight across trade. That's where it all began.
I was forced to learn how to fix this boat myself. I couldn't afford to pay someone else to fix it. Did I mention the motor was blown up? What my Dad thought was a noisy lifter turned out to be a spun rod bearing. I had to clean a lot of fish heads off plates to pay for that.
One day, Bill asked me if I liked my job. I figured, I had a job with flexible hours, and decent
pay for my age, so I said yes. His reply was, well that's to bad because you need to quit. He handed me a flier from Mike G at Rex Marine that stated they were looking for employees. I couldn't get home fast enough to make that call (no cell phone back then). I talked to Mike that day and had an interview a few days later.
I was very fortunate to gain employment at Rex Marine. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Mike and Shelbey Guadalabene for giving me a chance. After a short period of time I was offered the general management position at Rex Marine. I worked with Rex for 10 years and simply could not have gotten where I am today if I did not have that chance.
From Rex Marine, I accepted a position of General Manager at Dana Marine Products. I had
the great pleasure of working very closely with the most innovative man I have ever met, Dana Stettler. I learned a great amount from Dana. He always said, "no project is to big", and "if someone else built it, we can build it better". It was a lot of fun working with Dana and his influence in my life was a major attribute to me creating my own high performance boat shop.
Over the years I have owned 10 high performance boats, including jets, flats, and I/O's. I have rigged new boats for various manufacturers, and I have modified and repaired hundreds of boats. During my employment at Rex and Dana Marine I have worked with the industries most qualified riggers, fabricators, and design minds. I have had the great pleasure to call these guys my friends and my mentors.
I look forward to your questions and future friendships.
Bob Jeanblanc
BJ's Marine & Recycle Performance
1260 N Redgum St
Anaheim Ca 92806
714-630-3905
[email protected]
www.marineiw.com
