RCR Yachts has a history than spans more than 50 years in business in the Great Lakes region, including Buffalo, Youngstown, Sodus Bay, and Rochester, NY, Cleveland, OH and Erie, PA. Longtime owner Don Finkle reflects on the origins and history of the business.
The First 40 Years
It’s hard to believe that 40 years have passed — actually, closer to 41! Time flies when you’re enjoying what you do. Looking back, we can honestly say that most of our journey has been great, although some days were better than others. When we hit the 40-year mark last winter, it really made us reflect. Thinking about the many businesses that have come and gone over the years, we’re proud to still be here, doing what we love.
The Beginning: A New Venture
RCR began in the fall of 1971 as the successor to Youngstown Boat Company (YBC), which was owned by Beek and Margaret Fairbank. As they neared retirement, they decided to sell two-thirds of the business at a modest price to Bob Reese, their key employee. Bob ran the boatyard and sold boats, so those were the parts of the business he purchased. The Fairbanks kept the Ship’s Store and the YBC name. I had just joined YBC after finishing university and serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Bob invited me to join him in his new venture, which seemed like a fun opportunity since I loved boats and sailing. Little did I know that 40 years later, I’d still be in the same business!
Choosing a Name
The first challenge was choosing a company name. It actually took us about five months! We spent a lot of time trying to get approval from New York State for a name, but each one we suggested was rejected. Eventually, our lawyer advised Bob to simply use his initials. So, RCR Yachts, Inc. was born, and we later realized how lucky we were. There aren’t many other boat companies with a similar name in North America.
Starting Small
In the beginning, there were just three employees: Bob, his wife Jane, and me. During the busy spring launch and fall haul-out seasons, we’d hire part-time help, but otherwise, it was just the three of us. We ran the boatyard on the Lower Niagara River for the Youngstown Yacht Club, where we were also members. We did everything from selling and fixing boats to outfitting, painting, installing gear, and even transporting new boats from the factory. Although I grew up with sailing and knew boats, Bob had to teach me about the business side of things. We also handled the moorings for the yacht club, stored boats for the winter, and launched them in the spring. Over time, I fell in love with every aspect of the business and abandoned any thoughts of grad school or corporate life.
Challenges and Growth
In those early days, we used what we jokingly called “the Flintstone method,” relying on a lot of manual labor and old equipment. Instead of a Travelift, we had an overhead rail system with a couple of chain falls to lift boats. We’d pull them across the yard using an old Jeep. Even though Bob and I were young and strong, we eventually upgraded the equipment over time. We got a Travelift and a hydraulic crane, making the work safer and more efficient, which we appreciated as we got older.
The Right Timing and Location
We were also lucky with timing. We started our business at the right time — during the 1970s, which saw huge growth in the sailing industry. Back then, we only dealt with sailboats and had a slogan: “Exclusively Sail.” There were few used boats on the market, and selling new boats was easier. Fiberglass boats were new and didn’t need as much maintenance as older wooden boats, so more people got into sailing. We grew our business because we loved boats, knew what we were doing, and worked hard.
Our location was another key factor in our success. We were right across the Lower Niagara River from George Hinterhoeller’s C&C Yachts production facility. YBC had been a dealer for Hinterhoeller, and when C&C emerged, we continued that partnership. It wasn’t long before we were visiting the plant regularly, showing customers their new boats being built. The convenience of being so close to the factory made it easier for us to sell boats.
Building Strong Partnerships
Later on, George Hinterhoeller left C&C and started his own company, Hinterhoeller Yachts. We were excited to become one of his first dealers, and his cruising boats complemented the C&C lineup perfectly. Over the years, we learned a lot from George, who was a brilliant boat builder and one of our favorites in the industry.
Trial and Error
Although we were young and didn’t have much business experience, we learned through trial and error. One mistake we made was selling too many different boat brands. In hindsight, we might not have made money on all of them, but we sold boats we were passionate about, especially ones we wanted to race ourselves. After taking over from YBC, we inherited brands like C&C, Cal, Grampian, O’Day, and Cape Dory. We also added more brands like Pearson Yachts, Sabre, and J/Boats, all driven by our love for racing.
Speaking of J/Boats, our relationship with them started in 1976 when we were introduced to the J/24. At that time, we already had too many brands, but Bob Johnstone convinced us to sell the J/24. This was a huge break for us, and we’ve since sold hundreds of J/Boats and continue to be one of the longest-standing J/Boat dealers.
Sailing and Racing: A Key to Success
Sailboat racing was also vital to our success. Both Bob and I were active racers, which helped us build relationships with many sailors who later became loyal customers. We sponsored events, classes, and regattas, which boosted our visibility in the sailing community. Even though Bob has slowed down, I’m still deeply involved in racing and regatta organization.
The Boat Business: Challenges and Triumphs
Over the years, we’ve outlasted many companies in our industry, including some boat brands that no longer exist. Many struggled due to poor management, failed ownership, or not adapting to changing times. At RCR, we’ve had the privilege of representing many well-known brands, and we’re proud to still represent Beneteau, J/Boats, and Sabre, all of which we’ve worked with for decades.
In the late 1990s, we expanded into the powerboat market. Customers switching from sailboats to powerboats convinced us to carry trawlers. Our slogan changed to “Since 1972,” and we began selling powerboats like Mainship Trawlers, Sabre powerboats, and Back Cove. These boats were a great fit for us because they were well-built, seaworthy, and easy to maintain.
Adapting to Changing Markets
As time went on, we focused more on used boats rather than new ones. The boat market changed, and there were more used fiberglass boats to compete with. Today, we sell both new and used boats, and our business spans globally, with sales to places like Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. Our business in Canada has grown, and being near the Canada-US border has worked to our advantage.
We’ve always been a full-service operation, from boat sales to marina and service work. Over the years, we expanded our facilities. We bought land in Buffalo in the late 1970s and built a marina with 120 slips and a busy service operation. Our Youngstown boatyard remains operational, and we continue to run the mooring area, launch service, and winter storage there.
Looking to the Future
Today, we have sales offices in Erie, Buffalo, Youngstown, Rochester, and Sodus Point, and our Buffalo location is open year-round. In 2021, we built a new indoor heated showroom and storage building in Buffalo, which has been a great success. We’ve also invested in new equipment, such as a Conolift hydraulic trailer, to improve efficiency.
As we reflect on the last 40 years, we’re reminded of the challenges we’ve faced, from interest rates and economic downturns to shifts in how buyers shop for boats. While the internet has changed how people learn about boating, we still believe that good advice is key to a positive boating experience. That’s where we come in. As boats have become more expensive, making informed decisions has never been more important.
Through it all, one thing has remained constant: our dedication to boating and our customers. We’re grateful to the loyal customers, employees, and suppliers who have supported us over the years. We’re excited about the future and look forward to continuing to do what we love. Thank you for reading our story!
The Last 10 Years of RCR
Over the past 10 years, plenty has changed at RCR. We now have a year-round presence in Ohio, based in Sandusky, which has become an important market for us. Our Sodus Point office is also open year-round, and our powerboat market share has continued to grow, with new lines like Beneteau’s Antares and Flyer series. We are now a YBAA Endorsed Brokerage, and all our salespeople are either Certified Professional Yacht Brokers or working toward certification (less than 10% of boat salespeople in North America are CPYBs).
Facilities and Equipment Upgrades
We’ve refined our processes, improved our facilities, and upgraded equipment. In Buffalo, we expanded our dock system to 155 slips, with over 300 boats stored during the winter and summer. In 2021, we built a new indoor heated showroom and storage building, which quickly filled up. We’ve also added a Conolift hydraulic trailer, improving safety and efficiency. With new lighting, more storage, and enhanced security, our Buffalo marina has become an even better place for boaters.
Adapting to the Digital Age
Of course, the boat business has faced its challenges, including changes in how buyers shop for boats. The internet has made self-education easier, but we’ve found that many people don’t realize what they don’t know. That’s where we come in — offering expert advice to help people make the best decisions. As boats have become more expensive, getting the right help has never been more important.
Commitment to the Boating Community
What hasn’t changed is our commitment to the boating community. We’ve been fortunate to work with so many talented employees and loyal customers, and we continue to look for ways to improve and grow. Thank you for being part of our journey!