Founded in 1945 when Jeff Strong’s grandfather went into the marine business in Lindenhurst, N.Y., Strong’s Marine was formally established in 1965 and has been under Jeff Strong’s leadership since 1992. Today, the company operates 13 locations, most with marinas. Strong’s has more than 100 full-time employees and represents seven premium brands that span numerous styles of boats: Cobalt, Regal, Pursuit, Grady-White, Cobia, Cruisers and Fairline. The dealership also offers pre-owned boats, brokerage, indoor boat storage and repairs with haulout capabilities of 85 tons.
Jeff’s wife, Re Strong, serves as the head of well-being, working to ensure teammates feel appreciated and to make Strong’s Marine feel like family. Their son Ryan is vice president of the company, and their son Jay is also actively involved. Their children are a fifth generation waiting in the wings.
‘Home of Super Service’
Strong has always credited diverse revenue streams as central to the dealership’s resilience. Most locations are marinas that offer dockage and boat rentals, and the company takes trade-ins across categories, including RVs, cars and planes.
“Those diverse activities keep the cash moving, keep our employees busy and productive, and keep us engaged with our client base,” Strong says.
That philosophy, combined with a culture the company has branded, defines Strong’s Marine. “For more than 80 years, we’ve built our reputation as the ‘Home of Super Service,’ and that philosophy goes far beyond simply taking care of customers,” Strong says. “It starts with taking care of our teammates.”
The company’s internal values — super service, teamwork, growth and seeking fun — shape hiring decisions as much as job skills do. “We believe we’re one team with one goal. It’s never about who’s right; it’s about what’s right,” Strong says.
The seeking fun pillar is perhaps the most distinctive: In a business built around the boating lifestyle, Strong says enthusiasm has to start from within. “When our team enjoys what they do, that enthusiasm naturally carries over to every customer interaction,” he says.
Growth on Multiple Fronts
The past 12 months have been among the more eventful in the company’s recent history. Strong’s expanded its Grady-White territory significantly, with a market that now covers New York City and most of Long Island — a vote of confidence from the builder. The company expanded its Fairline territory, as well.
A new location also came online: Strong’s Marine at Surfside 3 Marina in Lindenhurst, on Long Island’s South Shore. At Strong’s Yacht Center, waterfront improvements are underway, including a new bulkhead. The company is also expanding its mobile service fleet to reach customers more efficiently across the region.
Strong has invested in upgrading the company’s customer relationship management system to track response times in minutes rather than hours. He says he absolutely sees a difference in results with that level of accountability built into the sales process.
Technology and Marketing
Ally Stacy, who handles marketing, calls what Strong’s does a full-funnel approach: digital advertising, SEO, AI optimization, email, social media, video production, events, public relations, print advertising and direct mail, all tied together through an extensive customer relationship management system.
Increasingly, the company is optimizing its content for AI-powered searches. “As more consumers use tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and other AI assistants to research products, we’re focused on creating authoritative, well-structured content that helps Strong’s Marine and our brands appear in those AI-generated results,” Stacy says.
The company’s event calendar reflects its community roots. This summer, Strong’s is sponsoring the Montauk Canyon Challenge and the Hamptons Offshore Invitational, which are fishing tournaments that draw anglers from across the Northeast. Fairline Yachts plans to go on tour with exclusive waterfront showings in Montauk, Greenport and Sag Harbor. And Strong’s expects to attend boat shows including Norwalk, Conn., Newport, R.I., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Strong’s also intends to participate in the Pursuit Owners Rendezvous at Block Island, R.I.
The Next Generation
Strong says he’s especially excited about the service side of the business. In recent months, Strong’s has welcomed at least three new apprentice technicians — young people choosing the marine industry as a career and wanting to be part of what the company has built.
“Today’s marine technicians are highly skilled professionals,” Strong says. “Modern boats are equipped with advanced electronics, sophisticated propulsion systems, digital controls and integrated technology, making this a rewarding and highly technical career path with excellent long-term opportunities.”
To support that workforce pipeline, the company has strengthened relationships with local trade schools and high schools, and is expanding its apprenticeship program.
Regionally, Strong sees a broader lifestyle shift driving interest in boating. “People are more connected than ever through technology, and many feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of work, email and their devices,” he says. “Boating offers something that’s becoming increasingly valuable: the opportunity to unplug, slow down and spend meaningful time with family and friends.”
Looking ahead, Strong says the company’s premium brand portfolio is its strongest competitive asset in any market environment. “After more than 80 years, we’ve learned that success comes from continually adapting while staying true to our core values,” he says. “That’s exactly what we plan to do in the year ahead.”
If you would like your dealership profiled, email david.conway@firecrown.com.
This story originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of Soundings Trade Only.
