RIP Joe Spotts, Marine Emporium

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BayAreaBoater

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Joe Spotts, the long-time proprietor of Bethel Island's Marine Emporium passed away. He was a Delta Legend.

I've known Joe and Julie since the late 70's and have had many of my various boats worked on at Marine Emporium. I also worked side by side with his Son-In-Law.

Since Julie's health has been in decline, the business just hasn't been the same. Their boat yard, which used to be a top rated facility here in the Delta, has sadly fallen on hard times...

At least he was able to see the finished product of the new B.I. Bridge before he passed.

Rest in peace, Joe. You will be missed...
 
Ironically, it was the construction of that new bridge which impacted their business so drastically! The poor economy, forcing them to take back the business they had "sold", the bridge construction and now Joe's death are all working against short term success of this long standing business. Very very sad indeed.

My heart goes out to Julie at this very sad time in her life. Does anyone know how long they were married?
 
Too bad about Joe. I bought my current Crownline from him back in 2005. He, along with his wife, both seemed very nice.
 
I am very sad to hear this.

My first boat was a 1956 Stephens, a 26' wooden hulled cruiser, which we bought back in 1987. I was rather naive when I bought it and ended up with a lot of problems. The first time I had the boat hauled out I took a week off work and spent it in the yard at Marine Emporium. When I couldn't even come close to completing the work it required my wife and I went to see Joe. We told him what our budget was and what the hull needed.

When we came to collect our boat we were handed a bill that was about 10x what we had set as our limit. After our cry of anguish died down we were ushered into Joe's Office where he promptly slashed the bill down to what we had originally told him.

Joe had a love for the old wood boats, and would really work with those who wanted to get their classic cruisers fixed up properly.

I didn't get quite the same consideration when we upgraded to a newer fiberglass boat but he always gave us a fair deal.

Joe will be missed!

Rod
 
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