by Capt. Bill Simpson
Transcription
by Capt. Bill Simpson
A Family Tradition by Capt. Bill Simpson W hen Mary and Mac Shroyer sailed away from the U.S. and down the Baja peninsula, they had no idea what the future had in store for them. Being true adventurers, they headed out to sea even though Mary was pregnant with their first baby. It was 1963 when the two former school teachers found themselves sailing into Bahia La Paz onboard a Pivar trimaran that they had built, having sailed nearly 2000 miles in the process. Having experienced some of the beauty of the Sea of Cortez and the birth of their first son, Neil, in Mazatlan during their stay in Mexico, the Shroyer's realized the potential for a family-run charter business in La Paz. With that new vision they returned to the U.S. to work while simultaneously building a 50-foot trimaran named Morning Bird. In 1967, Mary, Mac and tiny Neil sailed back to La Paz and began a new adventure in foreign enterprise. Fast forward to 2011... It's been 48 years since the Shroyer family first sailed to the shores of Baja and La Paz. I could easily fill the pages of a book with the detailed accounts of the happenings between 1967 and 2011. Briefly, the charter business didn't pan out as planned due to possible issues with legalities in Mexico. It was then that Mac's talent for boat building 40 Latitudes & Attitudes pg 40-43 Family Tradition.indd 2 truly blossomed and they went into the boat building business, ultimately developing the innovative panga and building over 3,000 of them in addition to other boats, including various sport fishing boats for the local resorts. In 1983, all that came crashing down with the Mexican economy and the devastating devaluation of the peso. The Shroyers found themselves again starting from scratch. As fate would have it, the small dock they had built and used for their boat building business was always in demand by boaters that wanted something more than being anchored or moored off the beach at El Mogote in La Paz. A new business emerged and grew from this humble beginning. Along the way there were many other challenges including a major hurricane now and again, which tested the Shroyer's resolve. The simple fact is that they have accomplished something truly amazing; they have withstood the test of time and have emerged as one of the most, if not the most successful marina operations in the Sea of Cortez. Nonetheless, the Shroyers give credit to Teri and Ed Grossman who they say are the true pioneers in the marina business in Mexico, having started a marina in San Carlos farther up in the Sea of Cortez. Mac is quick to point out that Teri Grossman did a lot of w w w.seaf ar i ng.c om 8/17/11 11:12 AM work in getting the legal basis for marina operations vetted with the Mexican government, making the way easier for the Shroyers. Today, with over 120 slips of all sizes, Marina de La Paz is one of the largest marina operations in Mexico. And where many marinas here have seasonally adjusted occupancies ranging from 40 to 70 percent, Marina de La Paz seems to have most if not all of its slips full every time I visit. But how? What's their secret? When you meet any of the Shroyers you quickly experience the essence of their success. First, they are simply wonderful people and they lead from the top down by example. The Shroyers regularly will go to great extents to make cruising sailors and other visiting boaters feel comfortable and at home at their marina and have carefully developed a business culture that adheres to this key principal. These days, with Mary and Mac being semi-retired, they travel together often and enjoy visiting family and friends in the U.S. and elsewhere. Their oldest son, Neil Shroyer, has assumed the mantle of General Manager for the marina. Neil says, "It's important to empathize with the clients and their needs." Even though Neil is a Mexican National by way of his birth and early education in Mexico, he went to college in the U.S. and has a business degree from Humbolt State University in California. Neil's combined business experience and fluency in both English and Spanish, makes him a valuable asset to the marina and everyone around him. And Neil's resume doesn't stop there. From 1999 until 2002 he was the head of APO (Administracion Portuaria Intergral), which is the Mexican government organization that oversees all the port operations of the state. As Neil explained, "It was a big responsibility that dealt with everything from working with large cargo and cruise line companies and their ships to marketing and public relations for tourism, down to maintaining navigational aids and overseeing dozens of employees." w w w. s e af ar i n g.co m pg 40-43 Family Tradition.indd 3 These days, Neil no longer heads APO and that is by choice. Sitting at his desk, which is like a military-style command and control station with large screen monitors and computers arrayed, he displayed a spreadsheet which listed a full page of projects just for that day, saying he no longer had the time to consider anything beyond focusing on the family's business. Like his parents, Neil is kind and readily shares his time even though he is incredibly busy. Secondly, unlike many other marinas in Mexico, Marina de La Paz is surrounded by businesses that are supportive to the cruising community, and this is not by chance. As I learned, the Shroyers have a unique understanding of the value of community and have used this understanding to attract businesses Latitudes & Attitudes 41 8/18/11 8:52 AM synergistic to cruising and tourism to locate on the Marina de La Paz premises by utilizing business practices that encourage business. And the Shroyers make it easy and profitable for these on-site businesses by keeping it simple; their business tenants only pay a lease for their locations on the marina premises and no more. Mac says, "I hope they make lots of money. I really don't care how much they make." He is sincere and unlike many other business in Mexico that charge percentage rents and commissions, etc., thus reducing total revenue, the Shroyer's method encourages more business, must to the benefit of the local Mexican community, which exists at and around the marina and beyond. This in turns provides many jobs for local Mexican citizens. 42 Latitudes & Attitudes pg 40-43 Family Tradition.indd 4 Even by U.S. standards, there are few marinas that have so many amenities on location or even anywhere nearby. Oh sure, there are marina-hotels with pools and such, but they clearly are out of touch with the most important needs of most cruisers. On the Marina de La Paz grounds boaters will find many essential services: a selfserve coin laundry as well as laundry services, legal and immigration services for cruisers through Eco Naviera, the Dock Café restaurant (great food!), La Paz Yachts (a full-service yacht broker), a mechanic, Carey Dive Center (diving equipment and charters), a small deli, large receptacles for garbage as well as for used oil and filters, fuel (gasoline and diesel) and pure water (from the marina's new desalination plant). w w w.sea far i ng.c om 8/17/11 11:13 AM And last but not least is the Club Cruceros Yacht Club, which is able to maintain a host of services and events for its 450+ members as a result of the sponsorship by the Shroyers for the club's facilities which houses a lending library of books, DVDs, an outdoor meeting and lounge area and a large enclosed meeting/activities room on the premises. Across the lane from the entrance to Marina de La Paz is a marine chandlery called Sea Mar that carries most anything a yacht might need. Today, with the establishment of the Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for boats, cruisers can keep their boats in Mexico for 10 years and this has allowed even more boats to make Marina de La Paz their home base in Mexico. Additionally, through the extended visas available (FMM and FM3), cruisers can stay longer than before, allowing extended cruising and vacation schedules. Marina de La Paz is a secure and safe place year round for boaters and there are many activities for young and old alike. And everyone gets into the act. You'll find Mary Shroyer playing cards at the Dock Café weekly. But it's not all cards for Mary; she's very active in helping children in and around La Paz, many of whom have no shoes or clothes or have so little to eat they would pass out at school. As the Vice Presidenta of FANLAP (www.lapazninos.org) Mary donates a good deal of her time organizing to help improve the quality of life for those children in great need of help. A stay at Marina de La Paz is certainly a great way to begin any trip into the Sea of Cortez. There is a wealth of knowledge available through the Shroyers and their staff, the marina-based businesses and the many long-time cruisers that have made this special marina their home base. The implementation of smart business practices combined with a family tradition of considering the needs of others has clearly led to the success that is enjoyed by the Shroyer family and Marina de La Paz today. w w w. s e af ar i n g.co m pg 40-43 Family Tradition.indd 5 Western U.S. Distributors of ElectroMaax Alternators and Wind Generators (Honda gen-set not included) · ElectroMaax designs, engineers and manufactures their products giving top quality at a lower price · Best in Industry 3 Year Warranty · High output cruising alternators · High output wind generators · Smart multi-stage charge controllers · The AirMaax ultra-quiet wind turbine features: · Computer designed UV protected Carbon fiber reinforced blades for near silent operation · Cast aluminum body weighing 20.2 lbs · Included Regulator with Amp meter and totalizer · Optimized for winds of 8 to 20kts · Producing 3A at 10kts, 11A at 16kts, and 19A at 20kts · Free shipping from our California warehouse to the Western U.S. on ElectroMaax Products · Large capacity watermakers at prices cruisers can finally afford with a 3 Year Warranty! · Powered by a Honda EU2000i generator or diesel genset! Engine driven systems also available and larger output custom designed systems at similar savings · Complete systems with space saving modular design for easy installation: ·20 Gallons Per Hour $3995. ·30 Gallons Per Hour $4850. ·45 Gallons Per Hour $4995. !! · Lowest price supplier for prefilters, activated carbon filters, RO membranes, and watermaker supplies for all makes of watermakers Product Details and Specifications on the Web at www.cruiseROwaterAndPower.com [email protected] Skype contact at CruiseROwater Sales & Mfg. Office (619) 990-6696 Rich's USA/Mexico Cell (619) 609-3432 2448 Carroll Lane Escondido, California USA 92027 Latitudes & Attitudes 43 8/23/11 10:53 AM
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