Dewey’s Cook Inlet

Dewey’s Cook Inlet has been Alaska’s largest marine dealer for over 60 years, built on a foundation of expert product knowledge, quality boat lines, and customer service matched to Alaska’s short season.

Over the last 35 years, Dewey’s has continued to grow and expand, most notably in marine accessories. With the addition of new product lines, expansion of marine accessories, aggressive marketing, plus lots of hard work, Dewey’s maintains its position as Alaska’s largest marine dealer.

Dewey’s Cook Inlet is Alaska’s largest marine dealer and has been in business for over 60 years. Those are impressive statements. Back in 1964, Dewey’s Cook Inlet started off selling inflatables, sailboats and outboards. Business prospered over the years, and in 1982 Dewey’s took on Yamaha outboards, and since then has added multiple boat lines.

For this month’s “Alaska Focus” blog, I spent some time talking to Dustin Knight, General Manager, and learned some of what makes Dewey’s so successful. He conveyed that Dewey’s employees are avid sportsmen and this real world experience contributes immensely when recommending products to customers. He also told me that providing fast, reliable and timely customer service are tenets of the business.

It becomes easier to understand 60+ years of success in the marine dealer world when you treat your customers right and provide effective solutions.

60 Years of Growth

Fish Alaska magazine: Give us a brief history of the business.

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: Dewey’s is the largest strictly marine business in Alaska, and has been serving their customers for over 60 years. The original owner was Dean Dewey, a commercial fisherman that started it in his house selling inflatables. Dan Gibeau bought the business from Dean about 35 years ago. My brother-in-law and his partners purchased it about 15 years ago. We’re currently at our location at 76th and King and we recently bought the property next to us and have tripled in size over 15 years.

Fish Alaska magazine: What products and services do you offer?

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: We sell aluminum boats, ranging from 12 feet to 30 feet. A full lineup of fishing vessels that encompasses all fishing types, from smaller riverboats by SeaArk, G3, RH, Lund and Marlon to larger personal, guide and fishing vessels by Duckworth and Hewescraft.  We are strictly a Yamaha outboard dealer and that powers everything we sell. We also carry a full assortment of marine equipment – if we can’t get it, it doesn’t exist!

Fish Alaska magazine: Who are your customers?

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: Our customers are people that are passionate about fishing, hunting, camping, sight-seeing, and photography to companies in the fishing industry, including guide, lodge, and commercial services. We sell to the government as well, including ADF&G.

Service, Knowledge, and Getting You on the Water

Fish Alaska magazine: What are your core business values?

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: It starts with providing phenomenal quality service, where we help our customers find boating solutions for the activities they are most passionate about. It’s about providing value and service. Our success comes from our knowledge in the boating industry, we are all avid outdoorsmen and that helps us figure out what our customers need, including customers new to boating. Customer service is huge, we try to be as fast and efficient as possible with the short season in Alaska. We try our best to get customers lined out quickly so they can get on the water. Recommending the right equipment is critical.

Fish Alaska magazine: What advice would you give to someone buying their first boat in Alaska?

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: I would ask them to really evaluate what their needs would be. How are they going to use the vessel? Is it rivers and lakes or will it be used more for the ocean. Is it strictly fishing and hunting or transportation to their remote cabin? Are you using it for utility or family fun, or both? Once we narrow down what a customer will do with the boat, then we are better equipped to offer effective solutions.

Fish Alaska magazine: What advice would you give to someone looking to upgrade the motor(s) on their boat?

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: We first want to know what are they trying to achieve. Is it better fuel economy and efficiency or to get to their fishing spots faster? Are they looking for fast acceleration and / or a fast hole shot? Many customers are looking for more horsepower.

Continued Growth and a Focus on What Matters

Fish Alaska magazine: Where do you see the business going over the next 10 years?

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: Continued and steady growth with continued focus on our customers. They are what it is all about! We are keeping up with the advancements in technology so that we can better explain to our clients what’s available and to be able to stay cutting edge.

Fish Alaska magazine: Feel free to share anything else that you want the readers to know.

Dewey’s Cook Inlet: We seek to provide the best service and marine products to the state of Alaska. We are selling the adventure of the great outdoors. Our customers are and should be our number 1 focus!

Check out more Alaskan businesses featured on our Alaska Focus blog.