Where is Bladen

[NJRobert]

I have been trying to contact Bladen on the phone for the past 2 weeks. I spoke with their parts department back then and they're locating a part for me. Unfortunately for the past 2 weeks no one has answered or returned any messages.

[jcollins]

I have been following a thread over at fishtheclassic.net about Bladen Composites and Palmer Marine. I don't know if anyone else has heard anything.
This is a quote from one of the posts.

Ok, I just heard the news. Due to the rain on Saturday I did not get over to the Bladen Composites plant. Bladen Composites, and supposedly Palmer Marine are Bankrupt. The building, the molds, and the land are now property of Bladen County, NC. Kaos flats boats apparently tried to work out a deal with Palmer in the last few weeks to actually build some of their boats in the plant, but after a few initial inquiries, heard nothing back. There may be some individuals that try and buy the Shamrock molds from the county to build shamrocks, but nothing is definate at this time. This is an unfortunate turn of events, especially so soon after the aquisition if Albin. Hopefully some good will come of this.

It used to be that it took more than your fingers and toes to count the number of boat builders in NC and SC, right now, you can probably only use 1 hand and have fingers left over if you count non custom boat builders. Hopefully this status will not last..


For now this is hearsay unless someone has better information or Bo Palmer posts anything.

[Striper Sniper]

I think Bo hit the provable economic wall and has closed down. I'm a Shamrock owner 26' Predator and the talk is the building, the molds, and the land are now property of Bladen County.

Pat

[GREGK]

What parts do you need?

[NJRobert]

I am looking for the "rod box" (the panel) on the starboard side, for a 2007 28TE Newport. Appears that this is a plastic piece held on by a few screws and sealant. Having no luck. I did speak with someone named Rose, at Bladen, about a week ago. She said she would get back to me. This is the second person at Bladen to say this.

[Rx-scape]

link to Bladen County paper
http://www.bladenjournal.com/pages/full ... lumn&open=&

[chiefrcd]

Sad times....

[jleonard]

That didn't last long.

[jcollins]

Bad news for Palmer but as noted in other posts the fit/finsh of the "new" Albins wasn't what was expected.

[GREGK]

With the acqusition in oct maybe he didn't even get a chance to straighten out the quality issues.After all how many boat would have be built during the decline of the economy?Hope he at least has control of the molds for the Albins and Shamrocks if the econ get back maybe he will start back up.A rumor that I heard is that Bladen county is controling every thing that was in the factory in N.C..I can't comfirm that but I believe to be a good source.Mabey Bo will chime in and set the record straight.
NJRobert I heard that Palmer marine is anwsering some phone calls in the Washington office.Mabey try to contact them.Also post a picture of what you need and mabey someone here will have a idea what to do or were a replacement can be had.Some parts on Shamrocks are genaric and can be had from a supplier.I own a 246 Shamrock(was looking at a 26 cc Albin before i purchaced the Shamrock)I know on Fish the Classic forum those guys are pretty good at figuring out somthing for there old boats.Like I said you may be suprise with what others have come up with.Hell we may possable own collector items now for all we know and have to be pretty ingenious at getting or making parts.We still have great boats.Can't do much more now than move on and keep boating.RIGHT!!!!

Palmer marine of Washington.
5611 Imperial Way SW
Port Orchard, WA,
98367-7457
Phone: 360-674-7090

TIGHT LINES

GREG
246 OPEN SHAMROCK
350/330HP MPFI

[GREGK]

Just though I would pass this along.This was post over on the Shamrock site!!!!!How true it is I dont know,nor do I know were it came for.This is a qoute.

First...Defiance is alive and well! We introduced the new 290 Guadalupe at the Long Beach show, and have some new designs in the works for the summer. The LB show went well, we sold several boats, we pummeled the competition, and had a general buzz of excitement in our packed display the entire show! Really looking forward to seeing all of you in Del Mar also...

Now, with regard to the North Carolina factory.....It was the intent of Bo Palmer to have a West Coast Factory AND an East Coat factory to save on freight and associated costs with a country as geographically large as the U.S. Until the slide in the economy, and the downturn in direct-drive Shamrocks and Albins....it was a great plan.... The NC plant manufactures MOSTLY Shamrock and Albin, as well as a FEW Defiance models for the east as needed.....
The operation out west has been essentially supporting the east for a long time now, and has been a burden to the entire operation since the decline of shaft drive Shamrock models....Soooo....It was with business saavy that Bo decided to put that Eastern plant in mothballs, or even close it down if necessary until someone else could take the facility over. The entire state of North Carolina has lost DOZENS of manufacturers, and with this jacked-up-media-driven-economy, the word is that many of the remaining builders in North Carolina are not far behind!

The GOOD NEWS is that a very solid, very forward thinking investment group is now behind the Defiance boat brand in the Washington state plant for the long haul! They believe in the product, they believe in the designs, and best of all they believe in Bo Palmer who will remain at the helm.

As far as our lifetime warranties....they will all be honored for every boat we have sold, and every boat we do sell out of our inventory (...and believe me, we have become the number one selling pilot house in the West for a reason!)

Offshore Boat Centers will continue to offer great rigging, great service, and a solid reputation of knowledgable staff.....when the other guys are glaringly left wanting in every operational level.

We are excited about the future of Defiance. It shows in our product developement, in our show displays, in our staff, and in the new direction the manufacturer is going.

Come see us at Seaforth Sportfishing for a visit.....bring a jig stick, and we'll go check out a new Defiance! Thanks - Rob


SOOOO What do you guy's think of this?
__________________

[jcollins]

SOOOO What do you guy's think of this?

At first blush I guess I'm wondering about Albin and Shamrock. Does the west coast plant have Shammie molds? I know Albin molds are in NC.
On the other hand, I'm happy with the Albin I have and doubt if I'll be in the market for another boat. If anything it would be a used 35 CB.

By the way, Gregk, thanks for hopping back and forth between forums to keep us updated. Pin your home port to the map!

[GREGK]

Anyone seen the March 2009 BoatUS Magazine yet?

Check out page 54, Albin 28 - Versatile With Style

The article, written by Jack Horner, states:

Now headquartered in Cos Cob, Connecticut.

You guy's might not be orphans after all...........
But we still might be the RED HEADED STEP CHILD


Thanks JC i always LURK around this site.Maybe one day a Albin will be in my slip.I purchased my Shamrock because that is what i could afford to purchase and to run after many months of research.I was on this forum asking question between 2006/2007 about the 26' cc.Missed on out in Ohio that sunk and Yanmar rebuilt engine and the Albin dealer went over the electronic(sank in 3' of water)They wanted $50k.

[jcollins]

Main page

[GREGK]

Main page

JC I was hoping nobody noticed that foolish question

Look at Kitsap County.
http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-vi ... newsType=1

To all you Albin fans, this one's for you.
http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/342/RipOff0342486.htm (I hope that is the right one)