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Some people claim residents of the Tri-parish region own more boats than land vehicles. Paul Domangue has no problem with the perception and is willing to encourage increased sports boat and motor sales throughout the year.
Owner of Terrebonne Marine since 2000, Domangue says he has a mixed clientele and many customers that own multiple vessels and sizes of motors and engines, know fishing, hunting and other water sports require the proper tools for the given activity.
Having gone into business for himself 12 years ago, Domangue said he loves hunting and fishing, but the details of business aspects of being in business are most challenging for him.
“It changes,” he said with a laugh. “Every time you think you know [tax procedures or invoicing and inventory rules], it changes. I’m not doing what I wanted to do a lot of the time because of that. I’m doing what I said I didn’t want to do, but any business you own is going to cut into your free time.”
On the other hand, this outdoorsman said owning his personal business is also rewarding. “You don’t really get free time. I like to fish and hunt, but even then you are thinking about business,” he said. “You run into people and they ask questions and for help, and you have to help. I don’t mind helping people,” Domangue said. He admitted a willingness to assist others on the water or at docks also helps generate commerce.
After a slow year in 2011 and declined sales activity during the past decade, this marine service provider said retail activity leveled-out, but he expects the market to moderately improve during 2013.
“Neglect to maintenance is the biggest problem for [most boat owners],” this dealer said. “People tend to put [the machinery that operates them] to the side and forget about it. They just park it in the driveway and leave it. So when they want to go there usually something is wrong because a motor or engine is not working.”
Domangue’s standard inventory features Gator-Tail and SeaArk motors and engines, from outboards to trollers. He also has a variety of Suzuki motors and offers maintenance and repair services on anything he sells. “I can even make special orders if it is a brand I carry,” he said.
This boat equipment dealer said that with duck season opening Nov. 10 for rails and gallinules, mud boats have been in demand and he expects to see a boost in activity during the remainder of October.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s most recent calculations, there are 2.3 million waterfowl hunters nationally. Louisiana led the nation with more than 2.7 million ducks harvested during 2010-2011. Those numbers help improve Domangue’s expectations and south Louisiana reputation as a “Sportsman’s Paradise.”
Domangue likes to think using the proper boat and motor in the right place can make a difference. He admitted that various makes and models of watercraft and engines can influence performance on the water – although it is no guarantee to improve a hunter or fisherman’s individual skills.
Terrebonne Marine owner Paul Domangue says it is time to start thinking hunting boat as he shows a new Gator-Tail shallow water vessel. Duck season opens Nov. 10 and Domangue says water sports require the proper equipment for a given activity.
