I’ve always loved reading Alan Sharp’s Fishing Blog. It’s good information for all levels of fisherman. There was a rumor that Big Bear Marina had sold …..and now it’s official :) Congratulations to the Fengler’s.
Article written by JUDI BOWERS of Big Bear Grizzly
Steve Fengler has lived in Big Bear for more than 30 years, He’s a fixture at Bear Mountain, and horse people may know him as their farrier. He’s adding another hat. Steve and his wife of eight years, Shelly, are the new owners of Big Bear Marina.
The couple were having dinner at Thelma’s Restaurant in Big Bear City and picked up a real estate magazine. Why not look at lakefront property, Steve says he told his wife. Instead of a new house, they saw the marina for sale and realized it could be just what they were looking for.With a lot of research and plenty of prayer, they made an offer, which was accepted. The Fenglers took over Jan. 15 and the marina opened for the season March 29. Steve, having worked in the resort arena for many years, is aware of the peaks and valleys of owning and operating a business in Big Bear. He and Shelley are adamant about quality customer service and have a great deal to bring to the table. Shelly is a flight attendant with Jet Blue, so customer service is second nature to her. Customer service is their No. 1 goal at Big Bear Marina, they say.
When they took over, there was no delay in getting down to business. There was plenty of administrative duties to sort through before boats and docks were in the water. Shelly says when the first check for a slip rental arrived, she knew they were the owners. She had a photo taken of her holding that first check, she says.
In honor of the loyalty of slip holders at the marina, Steve and Shelly offer a 20 percent discount in the retail store and a 5 percent discount at the gas dock to slip holders during the 2013 season.
Alan Sharp is staying on to help with the transition this first year and will oversee the fishing tournaments. A solid core of the workforce is returning as well, but some new faces will be added, Shelley and Steve say.
A new addition is the flyboard concession, Aqua Flight, operating out of the marina, Shelly says. The operation opens for business May 15. The Big Bear Queen will remain, and Big Bear Marina still holds the designation as the official weigh station on Big Bear Lake. Big Bear Marina offers clean pontoons and fishing boats for rent. Also available are personal watercraft, paddleboards, including stand-ups, canoes and kayaks for rent. A store is onsite featuring bait and tackle, apparel, beer and wine, snacks, beverages, sunscreen, fishing licensees and boat permits, “and Dramamine if you need it,” Steve says. Big Bear Marina is a Berkeley pro shop and has gone green. All live bait sold at the marina is sold in Earthsmart products, which contain no Styrofoam.
The marina also offers repair and maintenance service and boat detailing, with dry storage and winterizing at the end of the season and unwrapping and launching services for the start of the season. Quagga mussel inspections are also done at Big Bear Marina.
A few days prior to the March 29 opening, Steve and Shelly were busy making final preparations for the big day. It didn’t seem real, Steve said. They are committed to making a visit to Big Bear Marina the best experience possible. Shelly says she wants families to come to Big Bear Marina and create memories.
“This is something families do,” Steve says. Fishing has grown as an affordable recreation and family activity, and the Fenglers plan to make sure more people enjoy it at Big Bear Marina.
Not many people get to ski all winter and play at the lake all summer, Shelly says. “It’s been a blessing and amazing how everything fits for us,” she says. The Fenglers hope Big Bear Marina is a good fit for their customers as well.
Big Bear Marina is at 500 Paine Court, Big Bear Lake, adjacent to the Big Bear Municipal Water District office. For more information on the marina, call 909-866-3218 or visit www.bigbearmarina.com.


































































































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