FABRICATORS TALK PROS AND CONS OF RUNNING MOBILE MARINE SHOPS by Michelle Miron hen you're a marine fabricator with a mobile unit, you're often at a competitive advantage. Not only can you offer customers fast, convenient repairs and service, but you're often able to recruit business from other boat owners who notice you at their marinas. Vendors who are fully mobile can save money on brick-and-mortar mortgages or rent, and their vehicles act as advertising tools in and of themselves. In some cases, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they're even able to treat expenses associated with their vehicle operations as tax deductions. That's not to say there aren't challenges. Buying and outfi tting a mobile unit can be expensive. Gas, maintenance, repairs, insurance and sometimes the selling fees imposed by marinas can take a chunk out of profi ts. Fabricators need to stay mega-organized to ensure they have access to the right tools and materials at the right times. And there's often no predicting how traffi c conditions or weather will affect productivity. 18 Marine Fabricator | January/February 2023