Capt Rusty is alive and well

DaFish

DaFish

Active Member
Mar 11, 2011
663
Manitowoc, WI - Lake Michigan
Boat Info
1999 370 DA
Engines
7.4 MPI Horizon Merc w/ V-Drives
In between boat shows and delivering the dream 650 Fly to new boat owners, the Brand Ambassador takes the time to invest the Sea Ray experience with those of us who keep the older models shining.

A simple email to the Captain with a couple of questions relating to components that were marked as "no longer available" led to a 45 minute telephone conversation. I feel like a very full sponge trying to absorb all the information about my boat that was imparted, learning more than I ever expected and what Rusty's role was in its production. This was especially helpful in light of the new focus of the Sea Ray website - a sales tool with not much support and accessibility to information for those of us with the older boat.

A true and sincere Thank You to Rusty for continuing to be an incredible wealth of knowledge accessible to all of us and delivering the Sea Ray dream. I feel privileged and honored to be a part of the Sea Ray family.
 
I've never spoke to him but certainly know his name. He sounds like a great guy to deal with.

As for being part of the family, amen! I feel exactly the same way.

Matt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I needed some advice on my boat a while back - Rusty said "I knew your boat when it started as a 55 gallon drum of resin - what do you need?". What a cool guy, what a knowledgeable guy, what a great friend, and what an asset to Searay!

Thanks Rusty.
 
I hope someone at Sea Ray corporate is reading this - realizes the effort he puts into the image of the Brand.
 
I, too, recently had a need for a part that I thought surely, I would never find. Along comes a phone call from Rusty and two weeks later the obscure parts are in my hands. Truly a miracle worker!
 
And, while we're waxing poetic about Rusty, he has a unique ability to make each one of the thousands of bozo's who tap into his incredible depth of knowledge on the brand and our boats, feel like we are somehow special. And he does so in a way that is truly sincere. That is not a skill that can be taught. It is innate and it is very, very rare.

Couple that with the fact the he loves this brand and has unprecedented knowledge and contacts (i.e. if he doesn't know the answer to your question, he certainly knows the guy or gal who does) and his seemingly unlimited bandwidth, he is true asset that any company in any business would and should cherish, protect and develop. (And [cough! cough!] reward; but that's none of my business.)

I've showed this to Rusty before (and he has since put his autograph on top of this), but here is page one of the owner's manual I found on my boat when I bought it. It is a 2002 and was purchased new by the prior owner. Here on page one, he had written down all he needed to know about getting answers on this boat.

rusty2.jpg
 
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Rusty gelled my boat and I have his sig on the final inspection documents before she left the factory
 
I had the opportunity to meet Rusty at the San Francisco boat show, I could have visited with him all day. +100 on all that everyone says about him. Truly an asset and ambassador to Sea Ray!
 
The Captain is a great guy to chat with.....Hey Captain Rusty......Captain Z said hello! He was my instructor at Sea School and said he met you while you were both delivering to a container ship. He's running a 65' Viking Convertible now for a client.
 
Well, what can you say about a man that will offer to drop everything and fly from Florida to San Francisco to attend my installation as Commodore in a yacht club? I now how taxing it is flying coast to coast for only a few days but he has done it twice to visit our little group. Since we are the only club I am aware of dedicated to the brand, we have received some recognition from Sea Ray and it is mainly due to the relationship I have been fortunate enough to have made with Rusty. He is the best ambassador a corporation could hope for and genuinely cares about everyone he comes in contact with. I am honored to have had the time with him that I have been blessed with. Cheers Captain!
 
Funny this thread just started, I was going to start one. I had the great pleasure of meeting Captn Rusty yesterday at the Merritt Island plant. He took myself and a friend on a brief tour of the facility. I really wish we had gone in a month or two, when the plant will be up and running. There was still a lot of activity going on. It was truly amazing what goes into making these boats we all love. Rusty was so informative, the guy really knows his s###. He was hoping Sea Ray will be able hire back the laid off employees. Thanks for taking your time to see us. Sea Ray should never let this man retire. Sorry, I'm sure you would like to some day.
 
And he called me yesterday also,very personable and very informative phone call.I could tell he loves these boats.Then he sent me an email with information i have wanted since before i bought my boat,All the performance specs even the dyno tests.Found out he was actually on my boat when it was being built,and he explained why it is a unique vessel,mostly because of the 50-60 per yr that were made only about 5 came with deisels.Ok i have to get some sleep so i can go spend another day polishing that apple.
 
Gentlemen,

I am in the office just long enough retrieve documentation for the next 650FLY which I am delivering in the next couple days in Lauderdale. I am humbled by your words and owe each more than you can know.

I want to reply back with details of how the MIBS and other events have greatly transpired for the home team but need more time than I have at the moment.

Will try and put better words to my thoughts soon.

Literally the best site for the coolest product there is.

Thank you again !,

Rusty
 
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