Marine

Conrad and Judy Kreuter have been running Moriches Boat and Motor since 1989. “There was not much difference in our town twenty years ago, [there are] more people now and certainly the growth is a good thing for us and we’ve developed into a great community” says Conrad.

Moriches Boat and Motor repairs and sells motors and parts for boats. Robert Wood was the previous owner and he passed his regular customers to the Kreuters. Many of these long time customers are still with them today. It is much harder to make a dollar today than it was twenty years ago. There is more competition today and it’s harder to make a sale because not many people have time to enjoy the hobby of boating. There is competition from other businesses, but, the real competition is the other recreational activities that people are involved in, such as golf and camping. The average price of a boat at Moriches Boat and Motor starts at $20,000 and goes up to $130,000. The brands that they carry consist of Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Evinrude, and Mercury. Suzuki motors are currently the most popular models; they have become considerably more popular than American brands.

Mrs. Gilles was born in Bayshore.  She attended Dowling College and became a registered nurse. Mrs. Gillies worked at Central Islip Hospital and then later at Bayview Hospital in Mastic.

Mr. Gilles always had a dream of opening his own marina.  In 1965 that dream became a reality.  What is now Senix Marina at 50 Senix Avenue in Center Moriches, was built from scratch.  They bought an old duck farm and after getting approval from the Town of Brookhaven, they dug their first canal. The Gillieses had to hire an archeologist in case they found any artifacts when they dug. Later they added a second canal. It cost the Gillieses a lot of money to build the Senix Marina but, Mrs. Gillies believes it was worth it because they grew with the marina and the marina grew with them.

There were a lot of parties at the Marina. It began with women’s tournaments. Five or six women would go out on a boat and they would be provided with lunch and cocktails. They also hosted the blessing of the fleet.  About 300 people would go and everybody would bring food. The local clergy were put on boats and paraded out to the bay. They would then put a wreath at the inlet.

Conrad and Judy Kreuter own Moriches Boat and Motor. It is located on Atlantic Avenue in East Moriches. In 1989 the Kreuters purchased Moriches Boat and Motor from Robert Wood. The business had been in existence since 1963.

The Kreuters sell boats and motors. They also winterize and store boats.  It is harder to make money now than it was when the Kreuters first started in the business. Their biggest competition comes from other types of recreation, such as golf and tennis. The Kreuters sell Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, and Evinrude motors. The most popular product sold at Moriches Boat and Motor is the Suzuki outboard motor. Evinrude motors were the most popular sellers when they started. The price to purchase a boat ranges from $20,000-$130,000.

Moriches Boat and Motor is open 6 days a week from 8am-4: 30pm. They are open on most holidays because they can do more business when other people are off. However, they are closed for Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving.

The Kreuters encourage their customers to keep the waters clean. Mr. Kreuter was the District Manager for Intel and installed Intel into the computers on Wall Street before going into the marine business. He is currently the President of Empire State Marine Trades Association.

~Written by Bobby R.